Antique Préjudice

THE BIG, GOOD, AND PROFITABLE FINDS - IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR -

IT DRIVES SHOP OWNERS NUTS, WHEN THEY SEE US WITH ARMS FULL OF FINDS

IT WAS A GOOD MORNING FOR THE ANTIQUE HUNTING CURRIES. ON THE FIRST STOP, AT A REGIONAL SECOND HAND SHOP, I FOUND TWO VERY OLD, HAMMERED TIN/COPPER KITCHEN ITEMS…..ONE BEING A LARGE MUG WITH HANDLE, AND ANOTHER, A LARGE PLATE / BOWL, BOTH DATING BACK TO BEFORE THE 1850'S, ON INITIAL INSPECTION. THE PRICE. FOR THE PAIR. A WHOPPING $3.00. I'VE INCLUDED SOME PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE TWO INTERESTING FINDS, BOTH MADE IN MUSKOKA.

NOW HERE'S AN IMPORTANT NOTE, BEFORE READING FURTHER ALONG IN TODAY'S BLOG. I HAVE ALWAYS, AND I MEAN ALWAYS, BEEN WILLING TO OFFER APPRAISALS FOR CHARITABLE GROUPS, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'VE DONE FOR TWENTY PLUS YEARS. IN FACT, I VOLUNTEER REGULARLY FOR THE SALVATION ARMY IN GRAVENHURST, AS AN APPRAISER FOR THEIR MONTHLY AUCTIONS. OUR FAMILY IS STEADFASTLY ACTIVE FUNDRAISERS FOR THE LOCAL FOOD BANK, OPERATED BY THE SALVATION ARMY. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT CHARITABLE GROUP ASKS FOR A LITTLE ADVICE OR A FREE APPRAISAL, I HAVE OFFERED MY SERVICES…..AND THAT INCLUDES OUR BOYS, ANDREW AND ROBERT, OFFERING EVALUATIONS ON MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, AND SUZANNE PROVIDES APPRAISALS ON ANTIQUE TEXTILES, QUILTS AND VINTAGE CLOTHING. WE DON'T ASK FOR A PENNY IN RETURN, AS WE FEEL IT IS OUR DUTY, TO HELP THE GROUPS THAT SO GENEROUSLY ASSIST THE LESS FORTUNATE IN OUR DISTRICT.

BUT WE'RE STILL DEALERS AND IT'S NICE ON OCCASION, TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY BUY SOMETHING, WITH THE CHANCE OF A LITTLE PROFIT ON ITS RESALE. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS DOES CAUSE A LITTLE DISCOMFORT WITH SOME OF THE FOLKS WE KNOW IN THE CHARITY AND THRIFT SHOPS WE VISIT. WHEN THEY SEE US APPROACHING THE COUNTER, WITH OUR ARMS FULL OF ITEMS WE WISH TO PURCHASE, THERE IS THE UNMISTAKABLE LOOK OF "OH GEEZ…..WE MUST HAVE SCREWED UP……LOOK WHAT THE CURRIES ARE BUYING." NOW THEY DON'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT, THE FACT WE MAY BE PURCHASING A USED DOG LEASH, SOME FIBREGLASS PANELS FOR OVERHEAD LIGHTS, TWO MUGS FOR OUR MORNING JAVA, AND SOME WINE GLASSES BECAUSE WE'VE BROKEN THE ONES WE HAD. IN THE MIX, LIKE TODAY, SURE, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF GEMS IN THE MIX. IT'S NOT LIKE THEY COULDN'T HAVE ASKED US, AT ANY TIME, IF WE'D OFFER AN APPRAISAL. JUST NOT WHEN THE ITEMS ARE IN OUR ARMS, AND THEY LOOK AT US, AS IF WE'RE PULLING A FAST ONE. BELIEVE ME, IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN THE PAST, THAT WE'VE HAD CLERKS GIVE US QUESTIONABLE LOOKS, ON SUBJECT PURCHASES, AS IF TO SAY…."COME ON YOU GUYS…..RIPPING OFF A CHARITABLE GROUP……WHAT'S THAT ALL ABOUT?"

I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. THERE WAS A SHOP I LOVED TO VISIT, AND HAD A PRETTY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE STAFF. THEY KNEW I WAS A DEALER….AND I'VE NEVER TRIED TO CONCEAL THIS……AS MANY CUSTOMERS KNOW ME, AND US AS A FAMILY, AND SOME OF THESE FOLKS ARE ALSO DEALERS. ON THE FIRST OCCASION, THAT I OFFICIALLY IDENTIFIED MYSELF AS A DEALER, IT WAS TO LET THE SALES CLERK KNOW, THAT AN ART PIECE, THEY HAD THAT MONTH, IN THE STORE AUCTION, WAS A PAINTING NOT A PRINT……WHICH BECAUSE OF ITS VICTORIAN WATERSCAPE DEPICTION, MEANT ABOUT ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS MORE IN POTENTIAL VALUE. SO THE CLERK CHANGED THE ACCOMPANYING DESCRIPTION, NOTING THAT IT WAS AN ORIGINAL PAINTING…..NOT A COPY. DARN IT. I WANTED TO ACQUIRE THAT PAINTING. AND I DID PLACE A BID, HAVING TO GO WELL BEYOND WHAT I MIGHT HAVE, IF I'D NOT BOTHERED TO CORRECT THE LISTING INFORMATION. I DIDN'T WIN THE PAINTING. THE CHARITY GOT MORE MONEY THAN THEY WOULD HAVE, IF THE INFORMATION HAD REMAINED INCORRECT. I LIKE TO TAKE A LITTLE CREDIT FOR THAT ONE.

I VERY SELDOM CAN AFFORD WHAT I APPRAISE. BUT IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO, IN ORDER TO HELP A CHARITY ASSIST OTHERS. NOW, CONSIDER THE FACT, THAT ON MANY OCCASIONS, WE HAVE BEEN VIEWED, IN A MOST PREJUDICIAL WAY AS "THOSE DEALERS," OR "YEA, THEY'RE DEALERS," AS IF IT IS ONE OF THE MOST LOATHSOME PROFESSIONS ON EARTH. I'VE HAD THE PRICES OF ITEMS CHANGED, AFTER GIVING THEM THE INITIAL FONDLE AND CLOSE SCRUTINY. I ACTUALLY CAUGHT A STAFF PERSON CHANGING THE PRICE TICKET, FOR A HIGHER AMOUNT, THAN WHAT I HAD SEEN ON FIRST INSPECTION…..ONLY MINUTES EARLIER. I WASN'T COMING BACK TO PURCHASE THE PIECE, BUT I HAD TO LOOK AND SEE WHAT THE FUSS WAS ABOUT. I'VE SIMILARLY HAD ITEMS REMOVED ENTIRELY FROM SALE, BECAUSE WE WERE SEEN COMING INTO THE STORE. OTHER PIECES, HONEST TO GOD, DEEMED NOT-FOR-SALE, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE SITTING ON THE FLOOR OF THE STORE, LIKE EVERY OTHER PIECE OF MERCHANDISE WITH ATTACHED PRICE-STICKER. MY QUESTION AT THE TIME, WHEN I WAS TOLD I COULDN'T PURCHASE THE PIECE, WAS SIMPLY PUT….."YOU MEAN IF I WASN'T A DEALER, I COULD BUY IT." "OUT OF ORDER, OUT OF ORDER MR. CURRIE," I COULD HEAR MY CONSCIENCE BELLOWING. I DID QUESTION A MANAGER, VERY STERNLY, WHETHER THESE STRANGE SITUATIONS, WERE THE SIGN OF GREAT FEAR OF ANTIQUE DEALERS……WHO JUST MIGHT MAKE A KILLING BUYING AN UNDER-PRICED PIECE OF INVENTORY. THERE WAS A LOT OF BABBLING AND MUMBLING LET ME TELL YOU, SO I TOOK HIM ASIDE, AND GAVE HIM A CRASH COURSE ON ANTIQUE APPRAISALS, DEALERS, AND THE WAY WE CAN ALL GET ALONG TOGETHER IN OUR COMMUNITY……..HELPING THE LESS FORTUNATE.

I asked this same individual if he and staff treated all antique dealers as if a "curse of the unknown." "The exploiters of the untutored!" Obviously a little embarrassed, but definitely not denying that we had the advantage on them, as far as values were concerned, he re-affirmed that every customer was treated the same. I disagreed. What I did offer him, was a little upgrade on a most basic reality. I said, "If someone comes in here for a new picture, as a decorator piece, and they save forty dollars off the price, from a shop in a mall, or on the main street, is that okay?" The short answer is….."we're glad they shopped here instead." "So what about the brand new cans of paint you are selling, at a greatly reduced price? The new electric light fixtures, some still in the box? The bathroom fixtures that are surplus from a plumber, and never used? "A new electric saw, or plane, or hammer, or box of nails?" The answer was generally the same. "They can get some real bargains here." "That's right," I answered, at the time showing him a little kitchen crock, of about seventy years of age. Same deal buddy. Maybe not as much of a deal, in dollar savings, as the guy who just bought the copper pipes ahead of me……from the normal retail cost. I said that, "there's a perception problem here, that everything an antique dealer buys, must be worth thousands of dollars more than the retail sticker price. "It just isn't so," I stamped down hard on the conversation. "And do you know how many antique dealers shop in your store every week?" I asked. "A few!," was the response. I reminded him that, as far as there being just a few dealers, there were, at that precise moment in time, a few dealers just within about thirty feet of the sales counter. Truth is, most times I visit second hands shops in our region, throughout the year, there are way more than a few collector / dealers roaming the floors…….the proverbial sharks looking for the big kills.

What I pointed out, was that most dealers don't want to be detected, for obvious reasons. Many know exactly how they'll be treated, if their cover is blown. I like doing it for them, as a practical joke, when I get a chance; like for example, introducing them to staff members of the shop…..like the clerk I was talking with. The dealers grimace and frown at me, for doing this, but folks, I'm proud of my profession, and I'm not a threat to anyone. I suggested that he should consider, for example, finding out how much of his monthly revenue from sales, came from antique dealers and assorted collectors, who also are pretty clever in the acquisition department. If it was truly known, this fiscal reality, I suggested, "you'd soon realize how much these folks contribute to the welfare of the enterprise." As for them getting a ridiculously low price, for some items that might be worth much more……I suggested that, over the long haul, this will balance out because of their long-term loyalty……as they will remember the deal they got, and continue to return for more. And before the next great deal, well, bet you they pay closer to the valuation for a lot more of their monthly purchasing. We all need incentive deals from time to time, whether at the local grocery store, or at a favorite restaurant.

I have, on numerous occasions…..one this week, pulled a particularly nice piece of folk art, off the pile of donations well within my reach, just wandering the thrift store, and without hesitation, insisted that it be removed for placement in an upcoming store auction. I could have made a fuss, asked for a price, and possibly brow-beat my way to a deal on a whirligig……value, as is, at about $100. There have also been situations that, when asked to do an impromptu appraisal, I've suggested they withdraw the item totally, and consult an art specialist or art auction company…..as the valuation could be much higher than I could honestly appraise, as a basic piece of nice, vintage art. I'm a specialist in Muskoka antiques but not in art. I have to make my enquiries to find out what some of my own acquired pieces are worth. I certainly can't offer more than a ball-park price, as just a guideline. I gave a modest appraisal just recently, of a Canadian art panel, that was worth upwards of $2,000……knowing full well, I wasn't going to be able to purchase it. But the fact that this money raised, will help the charity directly, is worth sharing information.

The hammered tin pieces I purchased today are in rough condition, and are potentially worth 10 to 15 times more than what we paid for them. This is not an issue, because we collect old copper and tinware, as my great-great grandfather, was a tinsmith in England, and in Canada, in the early 1800's. On occasion, when we feel that there is a substantial price difference, between what is on the price sticker, and what the piece is actually worth, we will deliberately…..(and we will let the clerks know this)……bounce some money in the counter donation bin, to even things out a tad. We did this earlier in the fall, when we purchased a table and six chairs from a thrift shop, because we wanted to use them in the house. And because the price was way too low, on the sticker, we deposited twenty dollars more in the thrift shop jar. We're part of the community, and we want to be part of the solution to help those who are facing crisis. Taking advantage of untutored sales staff, pricing these older items, isn't what we enjoy about the business……because that would be accepting gain on the backs of the less fortunate.

Part of the problem dealers face, comes from the fact, there are some in the profession, who for whatever reason, need to tout their prowess at beating others. I've know dealers to arrive at the counter of thrift shops, pay for their items, and then brag to the clerks how valuable the pieces actually are……and "I'm going to make a real killing on this stuff." I watched another dealer, jump up and down outside the shop, declaring "her find," the best ever in the history of antique collecting. She got a bag of Wade figurines, that you used to be able to find in Red Rose Tea boxes. She paid ten dollars. The over-excited, silly-ass dealer, might have made several hundred dollars, truthfully, if every figure had been in mint condition. Well, the problem of putting these fragile figures in a bag, so they collide with one another, is a collection of chipped Wade…..worth next to nothing. That's exactly what she got. But with the "happy dance," that she was doing, still in view of staff at the sales counter, was shamefully admitting it was rather nice to beat the folks who run charities. Similar incidents to this happen all the time. And it gives the proportional, sensible, honest, and kindly dealers a bad rap. Seriously. In essence, it is what we've been forced to live with ourselves, being looked down upon by store clerks, thinking that the bad apple gene must be present in all dealers.

Now consider the opposite. I have many times, reported to a charity shop staff person, or as high up as a manager, that a particular piece (not because I wanted to buy it), was over-priced by a large margin, from what it was actually worth. I don't buy all antiques just because I'm an antique dealer. As I mentioned to my clerk friend, in our little counter-side tutorial, "Your store is often guilty of gouging; over-charging for what you mistakenly believe is an antique…..but isn't." Basically saying, "would you, as a store manager, give a refund to a customer, who in my range of appraisal, had paid a hundred dollars too much for a factory-made dinning room table?" Yet I get the look of scorn, if I buy something I feel will turn a profit. Double standard? You bet.

One more little story for you, about antique dealing and the bullshit we get caught up in! I attended a flea market in Bracebridge's Memorial Park, one summer day, and was delighted to find a vendor selling some vintage postcards, many being of Muskoka steamships and resorts. These are items I look for, to serve our many Muskoka collectors. I bought four postcards at what I considered a fair price, and such that I could make three to four dollars profit on each card. I went back a short while later, and as soon as I got within sight, she took the box full of cards and put them under the table. I asked her if the cards were still for sale, and she said "No. I'm not selling any more of them today." I just smiled, walked away, and when I looked back, I saw her talking to another vendor I knew…….ah, it all made sense. The neighbor had told the lady that the guy who just bought the post cards was a "BIG DEALER." I'm big, but not as an antique dealer. No, I'm pretty much an average dealer, but at that moment, the vendor assumed she was going to be fleeced by the everso-smooth Mr. Currie. She wanted to make the four dollars extra per card herself. Truth is, I got the best of the best, and she got the rest. It was funny to look back, and see her put the box back up on the table. I wanted to sneak up on her, to see what would happen, but Suzanne caught me by the sleeve, and pulled me back.

Consider this one, from today. Our boys saw an advertisement for a guitar for sale, on a web site dealing with second hand items, and because it was a local seller, they asked if he would mind bringing it into the store….and if everything checked out, as the ad detailed, they'd pay the asking price. In a return email, the seller responded that the new price was $125.00 instead. At the present the same guitar is now listed for $200.00 as a "wow" item. Wow, my arse! Some people think it would be neat being a dealer. I've been at it most of my life, and I still get a laugh about things like this. So, the boys won't be buying that guitar, even for the $100 original price…..and yes, it is the principle of the thing.

FOOTNOTE: JUST AS A LITTLE NOTE TO ADD, IN RELATION TO THE PARANORMAL - ANTIQUE CONNECTION, I WROTE ABOUT IN THE PAST FEW BLOGS……THOUGHT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO TELL YOU ABOUT FINDING, IN A SEA OF BOOKS IN A SECOND HAND SHOP THIS MORNING, A COPY OF BARBARA SMITH'S, "GHOST STORIES OF ONTARIO," OF WHICH TWO OF OUR FAMILY STORIES ARE PUBLISHED. WE HAVE AT LEAST THREE COPIES IN THIS HOUSE, BUT I CAN NEVER FIND IT WHEN A NEED ARISES. LAST EVENING, I REFERENCED THIS BOOK, AND WAS MAD AT MYSELF FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO GRAB A COPY OFF MY ARCHIVES SHELF. SOMEONE BORROWED IT……AND YUP, FORGOT TO RETURN IT. SO BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. SUZANNE FOUND IT SITTING ON A TABLE, WITH A FEW OTHER BOOKS, AT THE SHOP IN QUESTION. IT HADN'T BEEN THERE THE DAY BEFORE. DID A GHOST PUT IT THERE FOR US TO FIND? AS COMPARED TO THE "STATISTICAL ODDS" OF US FINDING THE EXACT BOOK WE WERE LOOKING FOR, ON THE FIRST ANTIQUE STOP OF THE DAY. I LOVE THESE COINCIDENCES…..BUT ALAS, I THINK THIS ONE WAS VERY MUCH OF THE HUMAN-KIND. BUT WE BOUGHT IT. IT WILL GO ON THE SHELF IN MY OFFICE WHERE THE LAST ONE WENT MISSING. UNTIL SOMEONE AROUND HERE BORROWS THIS ONE TOO!

More antique hunting to come. What's wrong with the antique business today. Where are the young, aspiring dealers? In short supply, that's where!

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