Shoop - How to Deal in Antiques

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All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or stored in an information retrieval system (other than for purposes of review) without the express permission of the publisher in writing.

2011 Fiona Shoop

First edition 2002
Second edition 2004
Third edition 2006
Fourth edition 2009
Fifth edition 2011

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 978 1 84528 456 5
eISBN 978 1 84803 570 6

Cover design by Baseline Arts Ltd, Oxford.

Produced for How To Books by Deer Park Productions.

Typeset by PDQ Typesetting, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs.

Printed and bound in Great Britain by Bell & Bain Ltd, Glasgow.

NOTE: The material contained in this book is set out in good faith for general guidance and no liability can be accepted for loss or expense incurred as a result of relying in particular circumstances on statements made in the book. The laws and regulations are complex and liable to change, and readers should check the current position with the relevant authorities before making personal arrangements.

If youve picked up this book, then you must be one of two things a dealer or a would-be dealer. Either way, I can help you to be a successful one, no matter what youre selling or where you intend to sell it. This book was written for you to help you to fulfil your potential and enjoy doing so.

In this simple, step-by-step guide, I will show you how to save money when you buy and, even more vitally, make a profit when you sell. Not only will you be introduced to different types of dealing from fairs to the internet, but Ill also warn you about the tricks of the trade and help you to avoid the most common mistakes made by new (and even old) dealers and some of the costlier ones as well.

But who am I to tell you this? My name is Fiona Shoop, Ive been a dealer for almost thirty years, starting at the age of ten with a corner of my fathers stall at a North London antiques fair. Since then, Ive bought and sold through fairs, auctions, antiques centres, boot sales and the internet. I know how to avoid being caught out and Im going to teach you the same. Im also a TV expert, broadcaster and journalist. You might know my name from the by-lines of some of the most talked about articles in recent years. If theres a con going on, Ill let you know about it. Ive also written over 4,000 articles on antiques from furniture to jewellery and just about everything in between, including dirty toilets.

Over twenty-five years ago, I sat in a caf in Londons Portobello Road, an area famous for its antiques, and read The Antiques Trade Gazette. I knew then that I was where I belonged but I didnt realise that, all these years on, Id still be a dealer and have been a columnist for the same paper. And thats the thing about antiques, you never know where theyll take you. Its an exciting life and I love sharing it with people.

Dealing offers so many rewards, whether you do it once or all the time. Its unlike any other job, youll be surrounded by beautiful things and meet fascinating people. Its a strange but exciting world where no two days are ever the same and you never know what youll find.

One last comment when your alarm wakes you up at 4am for your next fair, dont blame me, I did tell you that internet dealing might offer an easier way of making money. Or did I? Read on to find out and good luck, a dealers life is not always an easy one but it is always fulfilling.

Fiona Shoop

There are three basic reasons for becoming an antiques dealer: love, money and need. The first of these is probably the easiest to understand and the reason why most people consider antiques as a potential career, second job or hobby. If you love antiques, sooner or later you acquire too many of them if there can be such a thing. The reason people love antiques is easy to understand. Quite simply, whats not to love? They are attractive, many of them are practical, there is joy in their acquisition and, with the exception of fads (see ), they are a sound investment.

The trouble with loving antiques is that you can overspend but the good news is that they are relatively easy to sell and a very easy way of raising money. At some time in your lives, most of you will have a bill to pay or want something which could be considered a luxury a holiday, a better computer or even a new outfit. By selling an antique or collectable, something which has appeal to others, you can realise your goal without running up dangerous credit card debts or loans.

You dont need a loan if:

1. You have something to sell.

2. You have enough knowledge to buy low and sell high.

This book is your starting block. By following its simple guidelines, you can make money the second most popular reason why people become antiques dealers.

And then there is need. Its possibly the hardest of the three factors to define but it is the need for something that could change your life. If you need a job, a career or a change in lifestyle, if you want to get out of the 95 grind and become your own boss, then youre not alone. To become an antiques dealer you do not need qualifications, you do not necessarily need experience or knowledge (but they help) and, most of all, you dont need to impress anyone to get the position. The only person who needs convincing that youre good enough to be a dealer is yourself because you are the only person who matters.

What makes it so exciting is that youre investing in yourself with minimal risk. The only requirement that you need to become a dealer is to have some antiques or collectables. In the trade, we call that stock.

Some of these points will concern only full-time or part-time dealers but even if you only stall out a few times a year, there are huge advantages over virtually any other money-making hobby or career.

1. A huge sense of freedom you are your own boss you cant get sacked, made redundant or passed over for promotion.