Antique Stores - Do you ever wait patiently for a price reduction? Let's chat.

[loveit]

Do you ever find something you would like to buy in an antique store and just wait and wait for it to be priced more reasonably (or priced so you can afford it)?
Since last spring, I have been "visiting" some bedroom furniture that I want to buy from an antique store.It's like the set I had as a girl (french provincial, gold and white). However, the set I'm looking at is more "grown up" than the set I had, it has that lovely patina (it's from the 1950's) and I like it much better. When I first saw it, the whole set (dresser w/mirror, double headboard, vanity, one nightstand) were priced at almost $1,950. The owner told me he could give me 30% off that price. That still wasn't a good price for me, so I went in one day and offered $950. The owner countered with $1000. That was supposed to be a one day, special price for me, but after a few weeks, he had the set marked at $1000. I know if I wait long enough, he'll be willing to sell it in the $750 range, which is just right for me. There is a chance that I will walk into the store one day, and it will be gone, and boy, will I kick myself then.

I saw a similar set in a consignment store. It was reasonably priced, but I didn't love it. It didn't have the patina and class that the other has.

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Yep, I wait things out at antique malls if I think they'll be there later. There was a lusterware German canister set that matched a few canisters I have that was simply too pricey for its quantity of pieces and it's condition. I had a set price I wanted to pay, and that was it. I actually ended up passing on it entirely, because I didn't need it, and the price made no sense.

Someday, I'll find it at the right price.

At thrifts, I think you need to just grab it if you love it. But antique stores are a bit of a different animal.

[superiorgirl]

It depends on my level of passion for the item. If I have been searching for something for a long time and have finally found IT, then it's not likely I will wait for a serious mark down. However, anything that is priced over $25, I will very politely ask the dealer, "Is this your best price? I'll pay cash."

If the price is firm and it's over valued or beyond what I am willing to pay, that's the end of it. If there's any sign of wiggle room I will make an effort to negotiate. I think that most dealers expect some of this. It's more difficult if you are dealing with a mall, but even they typically have some sort of policy established and if you ask, may get a better deal. I will never, ever push or be rude about this!!! I owned a shop for 10 years and in both selling and buying learned that if you are polite and respectful it is acceptable to negotiate. The off season is the best time of year to negotiate prices as the dealers need to be moving stuff to pay shop rents and pickup fresh inventory.

[valleythriftshopper]

It depends on my level of passion for the item. If I have been searching for something for a long time and have finally found IT, then it's not likely I will wait for a serious mark down. However, anything that is priced over $25, I will very politely ask the dealer, "Is this your best price? I'll pay cash."

I agree.  I saw an antique sewing table which I had been looking for at a local resale shop for $75.00 which is an average price.  The finish was really nice on it though, plus they offered to deliver it for free.  I could have waited to find one at a yard sale but who knows how long that would take.  If your set is a really nice example of that type of furniture, then it would be worth more that an average set.  Also ask about delivery, free delivery would be a bonus. 

If it is just furniture that you would like to have, but is not a "must buy" then wait it out, if it goes then it was not meant to be.   Antique shops do have to cover their overhead, which can be expensive (I worked at an antique shop) so they can't give stuff away for cheap like the thrifts.  My beef is more with the dishonesty of some dealers, not the necessarily prices they charge.

[alexandra]

I will wait depending on how much an item costs and how much I want it.  I never spend a lot on anything... but for stuff that interests me at the various antique centers and vintage stores I sort of have a strategy.

During peak summer months, I might  not wait -- more customers, more chance of the item selling.  In the fall or early spring, I'll wait it out.  I don't do much antique shop perusing in the Winter -- but we periodically check on our camp. I've seen winter items still sitting in booths when I return in the spring.

Sometimes waiting is what you need to override the impulse factor of these purchases too.  With some booths, you can leave a note with the cashier and tell them to have the proprietor call you if the price goes down to the amount you are willing to pay.

Thriftily,
Alexandra
www.livingwithoutmoney.blogspot.com

[oceangurl]

I ususally just pay the full price for something if I really want it figuring that it wont come down in price or take the chance of losing it, I gusss I know that I work hard and the money I make will buy me my desires no matter the cost and if it is in my price range. An example is I saw (this was like 10 yrs ago) a old vanity with a snow white mirror in a furniture consignment store, somebody had repainted it white and then handpainted a ring of cherubs on the front and cherubs on either side. It was vintage, shabby chic and a one of a kind item, the paintings were all done in a soft cornflower blue and mauve with ribbons painted around the cherubs, just a real showpiece, they were asking $450.00 for it (which I knew was overpriced but like I said it was an artistic piece) I didnt want to pay it but ended up buying it because I loved it so. I have it in my bedroom and sit there and do my makeup, brush my hair, so I do use it alot and I have had it for along time (10 yrs) but I wish I hadnt had to pay the price for it!

[Mattie]

I'm on the mailing list of a local antique mall and I really only go there when I get a sale flyer in the mail.     The things I buy are usually the things other people pass by, and they tend to be fairly cheap.  My best recent score from this place is a 1930s scrapbook filled with morbid newspaper clippings (obituaries and stories of fatal accidents).  It was bizarre and it was only $10, so I had to have it.

[Krisathome]

I don't visit antique stores often.  The one I do frequent is more of an antique and collectible store so most things aren't too expensive.  But if there was something that gave me the shivers(which is my way of knowing I haveto have that thing) and I had the money I would buy it.   It really doesn't hurt to ask for a better price though.  I have had success doing that, too. 

The funny thing is this store that I like has a couple of antique dealers that come into my thrift store to buy things.  So when I go in I make sure that I discretely check the price they have put the items.  Usually they have a 75% mark up from what we sold it at. Interesting to see people buying the stuff.   Don't they know we sell it cheaper?

[superiorgirl]

"The funny thing is this store that I like has a couple of antique dealers that come into my thrift store to buy things.  So when I go in I make sure that I discretely check the price they have put the items.  Usually they have a 75% mark up from what we sold it at. Interesting to see people buying the stuff.   Don't they know we sell it cheaper?"

There are a LOT of people that will hit every antique shop that they find, but will never, ever set foot into a ts. It's socially acceptable to antique, but crude to be a 'junker'. lol.

Many of the ts's just price things and have no clue as to the value. Often they have a sheet of prices, for example, all plates are .50, all paperbacks are .50 and all hardcovers are $1. It doesn't matter if they have a Fiesta plate and a Corelle plate, or if the hardcover is a gently read 1st edition or a Websters dictionary.

I used to feel guilty about scooping up really great treasures at my local thrift for a fraction of what they were worth. For a long time I would point out items that the pricers had grossly underpriced and suggest a fair price that would still be a good buy. They could have made a pile more money to use to support people in need. It seems, however, that researching prices on things was too time consuming for them. I finally gave up trying to help them price based on value, and buy their mistakes for future resale.

[valleythriftshopper]

I used to feel guilty about scooping up really great treasures at my local thrift for a fraction of what they were worth. For a long time I would point out items that the pricers had grossly underpriced and suggest a fair price that would still be a good buy. They could have made a pile more money to use to support people in need. It seems, however, that researching prices on things was too time consuming for them. I finally gave up trying to help them price based on value, and buy their mistakes for future resale.

The little SA around the corner from where I live used to be like that, it was great.  Now it is all new staff & they think everything is much more valuable than it really is!  Also I notice they have a computer in the back now & I think they look up stuff on Ebay too.  Enjoy your bargains while you can, you never know when it will end.

[oceangurl]

I agree! This little Catholic thrift shop that I have been frequenting for the last 14 yrs has just started doing that. They have two new male managers in there and in their office they have a computer that they look up all things that look pricey or old on ebay or anywhere else they can google or make a comparission. I used to get great deals on things long ago before thrifting was made fashionable and before antiques roadshow came on t.v. and before anybody who drove a mercedes or who had money would even step foot in one of those places. Now a days in the Catholic Thrift parking lot thats all you see, pricey cars and snobby people. I long for the good ole days when ignorance was bliss. For an example, about 7 yrs ago in the Cathollic Thrift I picked up a bottle of parfum made by Guicci, a famous Italian designer, it was unopened and still in the box, back then it would have sold (retail) for maybe $200.00, they had placed it on a junk table with a price tag of one dollar, I still have it on my vanity and smile everytime I see it of the amazing bargains I used to get, Now the people running these stores are very knowledgable and like you said check everything on Ebay for comparrisions or just google it! Ah the perks of a more technological society!

[Femme1]

Talk about waiting patiently for a price reduction! I have a story. 

About 20 years ago, I went into an odd little shop--it had a mixture of new and old cool stuff---and I saw the sofa of my dreams. It was an art deco style, low and curved, about 12 feet long, armless, had down cushions, and had been newly reupholstered in a white nubby fabric. The owner called it a California couch. The price tag was $1,400 and at the time, there was no way I could afford it.

Every so often, I'd go into the shop and longingly look at "my" white sofa. After about 2 years of visiting it, the owner, who I'd become friendly with, said she'd sell it to me for $900, since I obviously loved it. By that time, I was doing a little better financially, so I bought it. It was the first real piece of furniture that I got (still not new, but in better shape than the hand-me-downs I had up till then).

I still have my lovely sofa, and people often comment on how unusual and comfy it is. Of course, it REALLY needs to be recovered. (I do not recommend white upholstery to people with two or more children!  ) I've bought fabric to do it myself, but keep putting off starting on it because it's such a huge job.

Sometimes it's good to be patient!

[Jay2TheRescue]

"The funny thing is this store that I like has a couple of antique dealers that come into my thrift store to buy things.  So when I go in I make sure that I discretely check the price they have put the items.  Usually they have a 75% mark up from what we sold it at. Interesting to see people buying the stuff.   Don't they know we sell it cheaper?"

There are a LOT of people that will hit every antique shop that they find, but will never, ever set foot into a ts. It's socially acceptable to antique, but crude to be a 'junker'. lol.

Many of the ts's just price things and have no clue as to the value. Often they have a sheet of prices, for example, all plates are .50, all paperbacks are .50 and all hardcovers are $1. It doesn't matter if they have a Fiesta plate and a Corelle plate, or if the hardcover is a gently read 1st edition or a Websters dictionary.

I used to feel guilty about scooping up really great treasures at my local thrift for a fraction of what they were worth. For a long time I would point out items that the pricers had grossly underpriced and suggest a fair price that would still be a good buy. They could have made a pile more money to use to support people in need. It seems, however, that researching prices on things was too time consuming for them. I finally gave up trying to help them price based on value, and buy their mistakes for future resale.

I often point out items that they have grossly underpriced in my favorite thrifts.  I have a good relationship with the people running the store, and I, like you will suggest a fair price, that's still a great buy.  Most often they reprice the items, and usually they're sold by the time I return the next week.

-Jay

[Krisathome]

Jay, we do have some honest antique/ebayers that come into the store.  If they think we have underpriced something that they want to buy, they do tell us and pay the higher price for things.  It's actually refreshing to have someone honest and willing to contribute to help the domestic abuse victims. 

[Big Daddy Audio]

It's socially acceptable to antique, but crude to be a 'junker'. lol.

Count me as one of the Crude ones

I used to feel guilty about scooping up really great treasures at my local thrift for a fraction of what they were worth. For a long time I would point out items that the pricers had grossly underpriced and suggest a fair price that would still be a good buy. They could have made a pile more money to use to support people in need. It seems, however, that researching prices on things was too time consuming for them. I finally gave up trying to help them price based on value, and buy their mistakes for future resale.

For a while, when I was moving a ton of stuff on eBay, I would buy as much of the cheap good stuff as they had.  The lower the price, the better for me.  However, once the selling stopped, the accumulation had to stop as well.  Now, I'm much more critical of what they have, and at what price point.  I've stopped seeing much in the way of killer bargains, and have started seeing stuff (real garbage, in many cases) priced as if it was mint condition top-line stuff and selling on eBay.  Here's a great example:  I saw a Sansui tape deck (probably mid-line to high-line, early to mid 1980's) that didn't work (maybe it needed belts, maybe something more serious).  This was back in November of last year - priced at $19.99.  I guess this could possibly be a bargain for someone who could repair it.  I was in the store mid-February, and it's still there.  Can the store take a hint?  If something doesn't work, price it to sell - Everything on your shelves is not a Pioneer SX-1980.

See you next time
bye for now.