ANTIQUING IN THE AGE OF EBAY
4 Tips for Better Deals
Antique stores are not as common as they once were. Thanks to online shopping and websites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Mercari, it has gotten harder to find quality antique items and good deals. All too often, it seems like brick-and- mortar shops rely on eBay and similar websites as a point of reference to price their items, even if eBay isn’t the best avenue to gauge the market.
Solution on Pg. 4
Helpful Resources • Is your estate plan up to date? Ask us about our FREE estate planning checkup. Call our office or email Julie@MTOLaw.com.
For those of us who love antiques, this can be discouraging. But don’t fret! In the era of mass-produced, low-quality home goods, antiquing is very much alive, and it is still possible to find the unique items you’re looking for. The styles of yesteryear can still be found tucked away in dusty little shops — if you’re willing to put in the work to find them. Here are a few tips for finding those treasures in the age of eBay. Inspect Good, old-fashioned antiquing comes with one major perk you won’t get online: You get to inspect the item personally before making a purchase. You can investigate the condition of the piece and ask questions about its authenticity. If you notice certain flaws in the item, you can bring that up when it comes time to haggle. Haggle Don’t forget to bargain with the seller. While some online sellers can ask for a “best offer” on their listings, many don’t, giving buyers very little flexibility. A lot of people may be too intimidated to haggle, but when you take the time to do it, you will almost always save a little money. Research As a buyer, you want to have reference points regarding authenticity, condition, and price. If you find an item you’re interested in, take some time to research it further. It’s great to have your smartphone on you so that you can do some digging before extending an offer or making the purchase. The more informed you are, the greater the chance you’ll get a good deal. Have Fun Antiquing is about discovering hidden gems and having fun along the way. When you’re traveling or exploring an area you’ve never been to, visiting antique shops is a wonderful experience that is chock-full of history and one-of-a-kind items you wouldn’t otherwise come across. When you go in with an open mind, that’s when you find the greatest treasures.
• Don’t miss our upcoming estate planning and elder law workshops — our website has our entire educational calendar for the year. • Learn about estate planning and elder law topics in plain English. Check out our Elder Care Whiteboard Videos at MichiganEstatePlans.com. • Let us be your trusted advisor for all your legal matters. Our clients’ referrals have helped us grow.
We want to return the favor by helping you find a great attorney outside the fields of estate
planning, elder law, and probate. Instead of taking your chances on Google or the phone book, let us put you in touch with an experienced attorney who can help you. Our clients often call us in need of an attorney who focuses on family law, personal injury, auto accidents, elder and nursing home abuse, workers’ comp, Social Security disability, and many other areas. To get the best results, you need an experienced attorney to help. If you want a referral, call our office or email Julie@MTOLaw.com. We are glad to help!
3
MichiganEstatePlans.com • 888.487.6150
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online