Timezone, the online auction site dedicated to the buying and selling of genuine antiques & collectables

VALUATIONS – Whatever the purpose for your valuation. We offer two types of services by one of our specialized experts:

• A BASIC VALUATION
• VALUATION FOR INSURANCE – PROBATE – SELLING

DO YOU REQUIRE A VALUATION!

We have a specialist panel of consultants who advise on valuations. We have a number of specialists who are expert in their own fields.

You will receive a written valuation either for SELLING your item - INSURANCE PUPOSES or PROBATE.

Depending on the type of Valuation chosen, and the item or items you require to be valued we will give you a written quote, which is a small price to pay, giving you peace of mind to either achieve a market price for the goods you are selling - Make sure your investment is correctly insured - Having a valuation for probate purposes, makes a stressful situation more manageable.

For a valuation we need the following to be able assist you.

1. FULL DESCRIPTION - as possible, e.g. size, measurements, construction materials etc.
2. HISTORY - When you acquired the item and origin if known.
3. CONDITION - any damage, cracks, splits and size of damage(s).
4. MARKINGS - trademarks, stamps, letters, monograms
5. GOOD IMAGES - of the item
6. DIFFERENT ANGLES - of the object, base, plus showing all markings, or damage.
7. CONFIRMING - what type of valuation required. SELLING - INSURANCE - PROBATE (advice can be given)

VALUING ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES

There are a number of factors to consider when deciding how much your antiques are really worth.

1. MARKS - Items stamped with a manufacturer or designer's mark are often worth more than identical pieces with no signature. A good light source is necessary to check the item out very carefully. Noting the name, identification marks, or any copyright marks.
2. CONDITION - Is one of the most important factors to consider when you value an antique. You have to take into consideration all flaws, including chips, cracks, excessive wear, tears, stains and missing components. Is it a minor nick or major crack, clean, dirty, new, in a box, without a box, colour imperfections, mars, and stains. Anything that keeps your antique from being in like new or mint condition is taken into consideration when determining value.
3. COMMON OR RARE? - There are times when an extremely rare antique with condition problems will still be worth quite a good sum. If your item is common then their value will be less than a rare item.
4. OLD DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN VALUABLE! - Much of an item's value lies in the buyer's demand. Many items over 100 years old now, that are not high in demand, if they are common, does not make them always valuable.
5. IS IT REAL OR FAKE? - If you have had an item in your family for many generations and you know the provenance, you can feel reasonably sure you're dealing with an authentic antique. It you purchase an item from a flea market, fair etc, you have to authenticate it before you can truly determine the value. Telltale signs of wear and age, along with discrepancies in marks and signatures.
6. HAS IT BEEN RESTORED OR REPAIRED? - Professional restoration can add value to a rare antique. Amateur repairs affect value negatively in most cases. For example has it been haphazardly repaired or the original value-adding "patina" has been removed. If glue is present, solders are easily detected, or chips have obviously been ground down, an antique or collectible should be valued accordingly. Some minor repairs may not affect the value of the piece at all.
7. SALVAGE VALUE? - If an antique or collectible is broken or damaged it does not necessarily mean it is totally worthless. Dealers will buy items they can repair or use for parts to repair other pieces. Severely damaged antiques are sometimes transformed by those clever at makeover projects, or crafters will purchase them for supplies. Depending on the extent of the damage and the item's usefulness, there may be salvage value.
8. CURRENT MARKET INFLUENCES - Antiques and collectables are the same as most things when it comes to their value, as a rule, it is down to supply and demand. Antique and collectables are always going up and down in value and always will. Prices may drop down to pre-demand levels once the boom has passed, or they may remain high due to diminished supply as dealers have difficulty replenishing inventories. It is important to watch the markets in your favourite collecting categories and stay on top of value-affecting trends.
9. ADVICE - Is best from an expert when determining values.

DON'T buy damaged antiques or collectables, unless you have researched them and know it is rare or well priced. Pay more for antiques or collectibles in excellent, original condition as the return is usually three times that of a damaged or repaired antique or collectable. If you are paying a lot of money for an antique and or a collectible it is best to seek a second opinion as there are some people who judge a faked or copied antique or collectible as genuine. There are a lot of reproduction items available also, some of them being very close to the original which will make even a longtime collector or dealer think twice. With Antiques and Collectables buy it because you like it, if you like it then there is sure to be others who would like it also if you ever needed to sell it.