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Daryle Lambert: It it is to good Beware.

Daryle Lambert — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:19:00 +0000

Today I am going to share with you what I think is the scam that will be the biggest plague to hit the Antique industry for many years. I want to caution each and ever one of you to be on your toes. This scheme starts with our desire to sell the treasures we have found and often because of our excitement we can make a serious mistake.

How does this scheme work? First you will receive an email informing you that the customer wants to purchase your item and they will send you a bank cashiers check to cover the cost and expenses incurred for shipping. The next sentence will state that they will have their own shippers pick the item up and when you receive the check you are supposed to deduct the cost of the item your selling from the check and then send the balance to their shipper for that expense.

The only problem is that yes you will receive the check but it is phony as a two dollar bill. But if your aren’t careful you will have been had by the time you fine that fact out. So lets see how this scheme works. You get a phony check and send the shipping expense to someone that is represented as being their shipper so that money of yours is now gone but remember you are depositing a worthless check. Next they may or may not have someone pick up the treasure that you supposedly sold them, so now they have your item and the money for the supposed shipping and you still have only a phony check. Presto you have just been had.

Can it happen you ask, the answer to that question is yes and it almost happened to me. I received several very pleasant emails about the transaction to sell a wonderful painting of mine to this individual overseas. He wanted to include the shipping which seemed extreme to me but it was his money, right? The shipping was to be well over $1000 but if the crated it maybe but even then it seemed out of place. So when I received the check just to play it safe I took it to my bank and by that afternoon I was informed that it was a fake. Thank you very much Harris Bank. Here is the irony of it all now I am receiving these deals offered tome on a weekly bases. Lucky me I must have gotten on the suckers list.

Isn’t it a shame that people want to take something that brings so much pleasure to so many and reduce it to a sham. I have been co-operating with the authorities in hopes of giving this folks something free, like a free vacation.

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Daryle Lambert: Antiques can be a great buy out of Season

Daryle Lambert — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:28:00 +0000

Each day for me can be an adventure. My son was sick last night so I got little sleep. But waking up this morning I realized that I would get to spend the whole day with him and it became a blessing. I didn’t know what to write about today until I looked out the window at the snow and the trees with no leaves and tried to visualize what this view was like only a couple of months ago. There were potted plants on the patio and hanging ferns under the eves of the house, I then tried to create a picture in my mind of what it could look like next year with benches and fountains and new plantings. This brought on a warm feeling and a smile to my face. No, I haven’t lost my mind but it did make me think of another way for us to make money.

People are impatient by nature and when something is out of season they often sell it for a fraction of its real value. What could be more out of “season” than garden furnishings? You are probably thinking; is there any money in these items? After reading the next paragraph of this blog, you will never ask that question again. Just think back to the last house or garage sale you attended. Remember those sad looking garden pots setting at the back of the garage with the wilted plants still in them or the wrought iron benches setting in the backyard with no price tags. This could equate to big money for you and me.

I want to share a story about two large pots that were setting on a front porch where there was a sale being conducted. Hundreds of people visited that sale and most of them left with nothing in their hands, passing those pots as they entered and exited the house. Just one person took the time to examine these dark green pots and then their eyes lit up. Going back into the house and asking the price, it caught the sales conductor so off guard she said “I will have to check.” Coming back and she said “I’m not sure, but would you give $300?” The buyer quickly responded, “Yes.” These particular pots happened to be “Teco” pottery and worth several thousand dollars.

Let’s look at some garden items with value. If there happens to be a cast iron bench in a backyard with a fern shape design about 60 inches in length from the 19th century it could bring anywhere from $2,500 - $5,000 in today’s market. How many times have you seen figures used in a garden setting but paid no attention to them? Well, I hope you didn’t pass this one, a little girl and boy reading a book by M. Geiss, because it could be worth $5,000. Outdoor fountains may look fairly drab this time of year but in the spring they come to life again. A dolphin and boy cast iron and zinc 66″ X 70″ fountain may bring up to $10,000. That should create some sunshine for you. A few more to entice you; Majolica seat with molded birds, cattails, dragonflies and water lilies by George Jones, valued at $20,000 or how about this one; covered urn, baluster shaped, angels, cast iron,1880’s 71″ is valued at a whopping $25,000 or more.

I hope that this blog gets you out of those winter blues because just writing it has done that for me.

Daryle Lambert: Antiques and used items trumps new

Daryle Lambert — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:00:00 +0000

Steuben Cintra Bowl

My family just received an early Christmas present and guess what it was? It is used and yet we are so happy with it. It’s not clothing or furniture but a new vehicle. I think that this period in time is changing the way we think about money. In fact, I think we are getting smarter. Our new purchase is a 2007 model that was never sold by the dealer and so we saved several thousand dollars; saving more than half its original price. Now that is quite a stocking stuffer.

I recently recommended buying sterling service pieces for $5 to $10 per piece depending on the pattern. There should be willing buyers if you simply price it for twice your cost because in today’s market it is difficult to find good sterling for under $45 per piece in the stores. Also remember it is best if the pieces aren’t monogrammed. This will give you the opportunity to complete one or more steps in your race to the finish line in the “Million Dollar Race.” For you new readers, this is a program that the members of the 31 Club are using to gage their progress in this business. You can find out all about it on the 31 Club’s website at www.31corp.com.

Value of some things change when used but others don’t. Example; fine crystal such as Waterford and Steuben always retain their value so if you come across six or more of these pieces for $5 a piece, you can be assured that they will sell for more than double their purchase price (even online). Most dealers don’t buy these items and I often find them still setting on a shelf at a house sale on the last day of the sale marked half price. You can even offer less for several pieces and generally make the purchase. I purchased a Steuben Cintra fruit bowl for $20 and its value is approximately $1,200. It was overlooked by other buyers because they thought it was too new. I think that it is even better than new. There are so many other items that fit the 31 Club’s program. Go to the store and check the price of good sets of china. Names like Doulton, Rosenthal and others can run into the thousands but in the secondary market they may be bring only $200-$500. If you break these sets down and auction the pieces on http://www.seeauctions.com/ , http://www.onlineauctions.com/ or eBay the set may double or triple your investment.

Although name doesn’t always equal quality, it usually does and when you can buy the best names for up to 90% discount, this should put you well on the road to success in this business. When I said that people are getting smarter, I meant it. You can tell that even the stores are recognizing this fact when they put up sale signs on new merchandise as soon as it comes in. My wife routinely looks for highly discounted racks when shopping and the merchandise is still new. On a recent shopping excursion, I spotted a great vest with horses on it for my wife but when I showed it to her with a price tag of $125, she shook her head no. Not giving up, I asked the clerk to check the price. The register reflected that the price was reduced to $44 and with a coupon for an additional 20% off; I quickly purchased the vest and can’t wait for her to wear it.

With money being tight, people are looking for bargains for quality items and that is where we can shine. Show them the bargains and the quality items you have to offer. Use your time wisely and get out there and buy. I know some of our members have purchased quality items that haven’t sold yet but they will. While the lesser pieces may not sell, quality always will. One of the first things I wrote about was that this business is always about your ability to buy right and never about selling because rare and unusual items will always sell. I also put quality items in that statement. If you have questions, now is the time and I am a waiting to assist you in meeting the goals you have set for yourself.

Daryle Lambert: Silver is beginning to shine again

Daryle Lambert — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:18:00 +0000

Wouldn’t it be fun to collect coins again like we did when we were children? Perhaps that will be possible as the price of silver continues to drop. Yes, silver is no longer selling at $20 an ounce, but that may be good for the collector. You see when the price of the base metal gets too high, the numeric value doesn’t increase equally. So when the silver market is headed lower, you can get more bang for your buck with the rarer coins. This would be a great time to introduce your children to the fun of collecting and where better to start than with coin collecting.

If you have read my book, “31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques and Collectibles”, which can be found at www.31corp.com., you have probably seen my story about paying for my college education by selling my coin collection. If you decide to begin collecting coins, make sure you don’t buy coins that won’t appreciate due to the fact that everyone thinks they will and millions of those pieces are set aside to wait for the big jump in price that isn’t coming. For example, I put the state quarter sets in that category. You will find great pleasure in trying to complete sets of pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, half dollars and silver dollars. The next step should be to upgrade pieces in your collection and often by selling a particular coin, you may be able to purchase a higher grade coin with the proceeds of the sale because of the price you paid for the first coin.

Why are you talking about starting a collection when I thought your idea was to be a seller and to buy right? Good question - but with coins often you will buy multiple coins at one time and again if you read my book you will find that I state you should set aside pieces after your goal of compounding is completed. So here is an example: buy one hundred silver dimes for $30 and sell ninety of them for $100 and set the balance back to start your collection. You may find out that down the road that your collection could pay for college or down payment on a house.

The wonderful thing about coins is that you may find a special one that can sell for a significant amount. In fact, in my collection, there were coins that I had paid face value for that when sold brought $500 to $1,000 back in the 1960s. The best way to start buying coins is to let everyone know that you want to buy coins. Almost everyone has a stash of coins that they have collected or have been given to them by a parent. When you tell them what their worth is today, most will want to sell them.

There are great guide books on coins and they can be found by going to www.abebooks.com or www.amazon.com. I have run across a site that should be of great interest to you if I have caught your interest with coins. The website is www.silvercoinand.com

Daryle Lambert: Jewelry warms a Lady’s Heart

Daryle Lambert — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:34:00 +0000

Thanks to Flicker

I know of no other season where the proper gift for a lady is more important than Christmas. Yes, almost all ladies appreciate a little piece of jewelry to adore that Christmas sweater or a necklace for all eyes to see. There isn’t a better way to show that you care for that special friend or spouse than to buy them something special from your heart.

My advice to you is to start your search early for that special gift and recognize that most everyone you meet is doing the same thing. If you wait too late, the only option you may have is to go to the local jeweler and pay three times the item’s worth. By starting early you may find exactly what you want at an auction or house sale and save perhaps thousands of dollars. Also, if you start early, you can search eBay and other sites for that special gift. You will find that these gifts will warm the heart of the person receiving them. Any other pieces you purchase may more than pay for what you keep for yourself. What could be better than finding the gift you need and making a profit on additional items?

We can use this in our business plan. You know potential customers are out there; but do you have what they are looking to purchase? I find that for me the best way to sell what I have is to convince the buyer that I am offering them a deal that can’t be found anywhere else. Almost any piece of jewelry that is 10 carat gold or greater is desirable. Platinum pieces will not stay with you very long if you advertise. Marked silver pieces also do very well today. Mexican silver is very popular. Once you have acquired several pieces of jewelry, place a small ad in your local newspaper. Jewelry and other Antiques for sale for that special Christmas gift and your phone number is all you need to include. I think that you will receive more calls than expected and before Christmas your cupboard will be bare.

Remember that you should be able to purchase gold, platinum and silver jewelry for a small fraction of the replacement cost so there should always be plenty of room for the profits that we search for, remember at least 100% to meet our goal. I know you are asking why would a person buy from me rather than the Jeweler? Simple answer is because he can get so much more for his money. I purchased a diamond tennis bracelet from a lady for $660 and she had the receipt where her husband had paid $6,600 for it. Do you think that I could sell it for $1,320? Of course I could and probably have people fighting for it.

Today I had a friend call me to discuss purchasing a set of rings for a special person. His question to me was , “Do you think $1,600 is too much for the rings because I have the diamond?” My answer shouldn’t surprise you, “ Yes, I think that is far too much for the rings and I think I can get them for you for $500.”
This is the same process that you should go through as you search for jewelry. If I can show a person that I can sell him a particular piece of jewelry at half what he was intending to spend and also give him a better quality piece, how can he refuse?

You only have a few weeks left to cash in and purchase something special for that special gift; so don’t wait… get out there and start buying.

Daryle Lambert: Jewelry warms a Lady’s Heart

Daryle Lambert — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:34:00 +0000

Thanks to Flicker

You only have a few weeks left to cash in and purchase something special for that special gift; so don’t wait… get out there and start buying.

Daryle Lambert: Jewelry warms a Lady’s Heart

Daryle Lambert — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:34:00 +0000

Thanks to Flicker

You only have a few weeks left to cash in and purchase something special for that special gift; so don’t wait… get out there and start buying.

Daryle Lambert: Jewelry warms a Lady’s Heart

Daryle Lambert — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:34:00 +0000

Thanks to Flicker

You only have a few weeks left to cash in and purchase something special for that special gift; so don’t wait… get out there and start buying.

Daryle Lambert: Antique Advertising Tins From Times past

Daryle Lambert — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 18:24:00 +0000

Our history has been recorded in many way but would you have thought that one of the best ways was through advertising. Yes, that is the truth and when paper items had limited life spans due to the very nature of paper there were other forms of advertising that have last through the years. The ones that I would like to discuss today are the antique cans and canisters.

These tin advertising pieces were produced to not only safeguard their contents but to also remind the buyer to purchase the brand advertised on the can again. Often the graphics on these can where fabulous and true works of art. The tin cans and canisters were first used commercially in the United States in 1819. I was surprised to learn how many collectors there are for these advertising pieces and also what values they put on them.

Believe it or not through my research I have learned a greater respect for this type of collecting and may even become a new collector myself. First a collection can be started very inexpensively in this area and this should be the first consideration for the new collector. The true collector is the one that does his research and adds the more expensive items to his collection as his knowledge increases. I don’t consider a person a true collector just because he has the money to purchase the better pieces but has very little true knowledge of what he has chosen to collect.

I will give you an example in my own years of collecting. Very early in my quest to become knowledgeable in the art world I was fortunate enough to find a fabulous painting by an English painter Frederick Morgan. You can see the whole store in my book “31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques and collectibles” . At the time I discovered the painting I didn’t feel that I deserved to have a painting of this quality hanging on my wall because I simply didn’t know enough about art. I was able to sell it for a handsome profit and now many year later and through much study it has made me more knowledgeable on the subject of art so hopefully I can find a painting of equal quality now and I would be proud to hang it in my home.

But back to the tins and your question where might I find them? As you visit older home for garage and estate sales be sure to look in the basements and garages. Check every sack and box that you see because often these items aren’t thought to be worth much so they are just thrown in with a lot of junk. These particularly items are more frequently found in older communities so as you travel check the small shops that are selling collectibles and antiques. Another great place is online. Yes often as your knowledge grows in this area of collecting you will discover great buys on sites like Onlineauction.com and eBay.com. My newest site is seeaution.com and I believe that these sites will produce some great finds for you.

I usually give some example of the more expensive items and I will list a few of these for you but there are hundreds if not thousands of others that sell for $100 up to many thousands. This is an area of collecting that doesn’t lack for material.

First lets look at the Bambino Tin that featured the silhouette of Babe Ruth, it contained smoking tobacco, measuring 4” X 2” todays price could be as high as $5000. Even out doing that one the Gray Dunn’s Biscuit tin with spoked wheels measuring 7 ½ inches could put up to $10,000 in your pocket if you came across one of these in mint condition. Nor bad for something that the company thought would be throw away after the contents were used. The funny thing about these tins is that often they were used for storage for things such as buttons, screws and pins after they were emptied and these items can often still be found in them when they are discovered.

This is a fun area of collecting but still can bring you big dollars so I would advise you to get a guide from Abebooks or Amazon because Tins should be added to your list of items to search for.

Daryle Lambert: Antiques should be on People’s Want list

Daryle Lambert — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 19:53:00 +0000

The bird is gone and most people have had enough football so what is next? Gift time, right? I hope we all thought of the blessings we have received this year before we go out and spend too much money on things that perhaps we don’t need. I personally have been looking in every nook and corner to see what I still have that someone might want to purchase as that special gift. I am surprised at the items that I had forgotten about that were just sitting out in the garage and storage room. Yes, you will soon see them listed on eBay. I think the deals that they will be offering during this Christmas season will make it well worth using their services. The cost of selling the $12,000 Kentucky Derby Glass on eBay was just $250, not bad at all. But don’t forget that other sites such as Online Auction may charge even cheaper rates.

What will people be looking for this year that we can provide? Royal Doulton and Lladro figurines are being sold at almost give away prices. I think the mothers on your list may be looking for one of these; ones that bring back precious memories of their little girls or boys. Dads will be buying sports figurines for their young sons that involve the sport they love. Husbands may purchase that vase that is perfect as that special centerpiece on their table or that lamp that makes their living room complete. Wives will be scouring the shops for a collectible that can add to that special collection of their husbands. But this Christmas, I believe people will be shopping much more carefully and quality will count. Isn’t it strange that we have been teaching that quality counts from the 31 Club’s formation?

Remember: if you don’t show people what you have for sale soon, the season will pass quickly and you will have missed an excellent opportunity to decrease your inventory and increase your bank account. So how should we advertise?

The local papers are excellent venues for advertising during this season. You may want to say “Christmas Specials” (Antiques and Collectibles for the Ones You Love) and your phone number. You should find this ad to be very inexpensive yet effective. Also, don’t rule out Online Auction.com or eBay.com or a new website called seeauctions.com that you may want to investigate. All of these sites’s traffic will pick up over the next few weeks and this increases your chance of success in selling the items you have listed.

I believe that the best way to sell your items at this time of year is to call or e-mail past customers to inform them that you have something that would make a fantastic gift for a loved one. For many years now I have sold one of my customers a painting for his home each year and I don’t think this year will be an exception. I know a person that prepares a list of special items that they have for sale and a letter wishing their past customers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. They also include a list of items they have available for sale. I think that is quite an original and inexpensive idea. Most stores make 80% of their profit for the year during this season so maybe they have something to teach us.

Usually I am a humbug this time of year but for some reason I have the Christmas spirit already! I think it may have something to do with all of you and the encouragement that I receive from you. Many thanks and happy hunting…