Know Which Bargains Are Best

The best bargains at auctions range from flatware to furniture, according to Leslie Hindmand, auctioneer, author, appraisal show host, and CEO of Eppraisals.com. She believes these are the top 10 bargains you’ll find.

* Upholstered furniture – If a battered sofa or chair was made well in the first place and has good “bones,” a relatively inexpensive reupholster job can turn it into magnificent place of furniture.

* Chandeliers – They’re hard to display, so if you can recognize the potential grandeur of a hanging chandelier while it’s sitting in a heap, you have the advantage on those who can’t.

* Dinner services and stemware – Demand for fine china is low because of changing entertainment customs and an abundance of department store dishes. Find a pattern you like, and it will probably be a steal.

* Silver flatware – Another overlooked bargain because most people don’t think of looking for silver at an auction.

* Monogrammed objects – If it has value as an antique or family heirloom, what does it matter that they’re not your initials?

* Old books – Not usually a popular item at auctions, boxes of 10 to 20 books, sometimes containing rare finds, are often sold for less than the bookstore price of just one.

* Jewelry – Many people don’t want someone else’s personal items, and nothing is more intimate than an engagement ring, wedding band, or engraved brooch. This can mean incredible bargains for someone who just appreciates quality.

* Minor contemporary works of art – If the artist is not well-known, it’s not unusual for paintings to sell for no more than the price of the canvas alone.

* Large-scale furniture – Anything bigger than 8 feet often won’t sell despite the advent of 12-foot ceilings and huge great rooms where large pieces are just the ticket.

* Box lots – Knickknacks and other miscellaneous articles are often put in boxes and sold as one lot. Look for the one item that makes taking home the whole box worthwhile.


All the best,


Timben