More Information

• Coping with the downturn
  
• ANSWERS:

  Can you guess their worth?

  The following items were appraised by Jan Robbins Durr of Matthews:

  Left: Louis XV buffet, made in France in 1730-1760. Molded black marble above cherry molded doors with hand-carved designs. About 5 feet by 31/2 feet.

  Below: Regence cherry commode, made in France in 1700-1730. Molded top with turret corners and serpentine front above three drawers. About 41/2 feet by 3 feet.

  ON TOP: Appraised value: $32,000.

  BOTTOM: Appraised Value: $25,000.

  FROM PAGE 1A: The Louis XVI Cherry Armoire was appraised at $7,000

• Appraisal tips

  Keep your items in the best condition possible. But don't do too much – overly restoring items will lower their value.

  Label your belongings with as much information as you know; date bought, where they came from.

  If you aren't sure whether your items are valuable, look for an appraiser who will act as a consultant. Many appraisers will do a walk-through of a client's home and offer suggestions as to the best places to sell items. Some appraisers offer this service for free, while others charge a consulting fee.

  Keep in mind that it's a down economy, and some items could sell for less than you expect. Appraisers say items such as art glass, hand-painted furniture and coin silver are holding their value, while china and Victorian furniture are going for much less than usual.

  Look for an appraiser who charges an hourly rate or flat fee per job, not a percentage of the item's value. Appraisers should never buy the items they appraise; that's a conflict of interest.

  Hire only an accredited appraiser from an established national organization. For suggestions, visit the American Society of Appraisers, www.appraisers.org; the Appraisers Association of America, www.ap praisersassoc.org ; or the International Society of Appraisers, www.isa-appraisers.org.

  Where to sell your items

  High-end regional and national auction houses. This is for very valuable collectibles, such as antiques or artwork. The auction houses charge a percentage of the sale price, as well as fees for insurance, catalogue photographs, etc.

  Antiques dealers. Dealers will either buy the piece from you outright and resell it, or they will sell it for you and take a percentage of the sale price. When selling to an antiques dealer, it is a good idea to have an appraisal by an independent appraiser or have a good idea of its value so you ensure that you are being properly compensated. Be sure to get a consignment agreement that protects your ownership and sets up the date by which you must be paid after the sale.

  Local catalogue auctions. Auction houses will include your items in scheduled auctions that feature similar types of property. These items are offered in a catalogue, which is often posted online. The auction houses will charge a percentage of the sale price and for additional costs such as insurance and photography.

  Local weekly auctions. Local auction houses hold regular catchall auctions that sell a variety of items that are normally less valuable than items included in the catalogue auctions.

  Consignment shop. A shop will sell your items for you, but usually for a relatively high percentage of the sale price. If things don't sell quickly, the price can be lowered. Be sure to get a consignment agreement that protects your ownership and sets up the date by which you must be paid after the sale.

  Do-it-yourself options for selling include eBay and Craigslist, newspaper classifieds as well as yard sales and flea markets.