Get your antiques collection checked out... 

Before selling an antique, the first thing to do is get an expert’s opinion. Use a specialist in the particular field of your antiques collection to find out for sure whether or not it has any value.

Clean your antiques collection so items are in best condition when valued.

...and get a second opinion

Don’t sell your antiques without a second opinion. The next expert will look for different things and may give your antiques collection a higher value.

If your antique was valued some time ago, it is important to get it re-valued - the very nature of antiques mean valuations can fluctuate considerably.

Follow our antique advice to find the best place to sell your items:

Go to an auction

• It's worth going to an auction if your item is of high value. Put your item in the trustworthy hands of the auctioneer while would-be buyers outbid each other for it.
• Make sure the auctioneer is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Strict codes of conduct, impartial antique advice and free pre-sale estimates mean RICS chartered arts and antiques surveyors will give you a fair deal.
• Set a reserve price – this way you know that when selling an antique you will not get a price lower than you are happy with.
• Ask the auctioneer about fees, such as commission or extra charges if the item does not sell.

Sell your antiques at an Antiques Fair

• It's worth going to an auction if your item is of high value. Put your item in the trustworthy hands of the auctioneer while would-be buyers outbid each other for it.
• Make sure the auctioneer is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Strict codes of conduct, impartial antique advice and free pre-sale estimates mean RICS chartered arts and antiques surveyors will give you a fair deal.
• Set a reserve price – this way you know that when selling an antique you will not get a price lower than you are happy with.
• Ask the auctioneer about fees, such as commission or extra charges if the item does not sell.

Selling an antique online

• If you consider yourself to be fairly computer literate, you may find it most convenient to sell your antiques online.
• Avoid the hassle of going to auctions or fairs - enjoy the comfort of selling from home.
• There are a number of online auction sites where you can sell your antiques to a willing collection of buyers.
• Get a good deal by checking prices of similar items for sale.
• Make sure your item can be sent safely (the buyer will pay for postage) or arrange for the buyer to pick it up.

Specialist magazines

• For an easy sale, reach your target buyer by advertising in a specialist magazine - specialists will pay a lot to complete their antiques collection.