Antiques Biz Thoughts

Recently a discussion was started on the AVCOSA site, about an article on the DOUBLE X blog, which talks about the Etsy site. They say Etsy "peddles false feminist fantasy". They definitelly riled up their readers, and Etsy's devotees. my resonse is not to the Etsy article, but to the question how does this translate or apply to the antiques selling biz.
Be sure to read all the comments to the Etsy article on Double X's blog -- some very good points are made.

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I think it's a case of apples and oranges. We antique dealers are in a completely different line of business than crafters and artists, as we can only sell what we find. We can't make antiques.

Sure, there may be some "oran-pples" in the conversation -- similarities in that you have a small percentage of full-time "successful" dealers, and lots of part-timers at all levels of financial "success".

Also the web has commoditized arts and crafts, because you can buy from anyone anywhere anytime. That holds true also for antiques -- so it's very difficult to be special, to differentiate yourself.

I do not agree that the antiques biz is all older folks. There are dealers from all age groups. Look at the AVCOSA members. Look at the apprasisers on the Roadshow. Look around at any antiques show -- you'll see all ages, and all types of merch - from junk to "foo-foo". Certain CATEGORIES skew older, just as some categories skew young. I see young shoppers all the time at shows and malls. When you're selling online, it's hard to know the age of your buyers.

People have collected antiques for a very long time. New collectors always show up. The dealers who are worried that there will be no one to buy their stuff aren't looking around, and staying in touch with the market, and trends. So it may be a self-fulfilling prophesy for them.

I do believe that a lot of the recent changes to the antiques industry (ebay, the economy, etc) are going to help put the emphasis back on in-person selling. Shows especially, where shoppers can see, touch, and be spontaneous in their purchases. Where dealers can interact, and show their knowledge, and create a relationship with their customers.

Does this mean don't sell online? Of course not. The internet is not going away, only getting bigger. You should have a presence online. Does it mean you have to sell off-line? No, you can certainly do well online. But it does mean that it is a lot of work, as I said, to differentiate yourself. To be seen/found, on or off line.

This is not news. If you dig out some old antiques-biz magazines or tradepapers, you will find articles asking the same questions -- where are the new buyers? -- young people don't like antiques - - how can the small shop compete with the new-fangled multi-dealer antique mall? -- woe is me, no one likes my merchandise any more. And so on.

It's nothing new to the world. Just new to us living it now. But you're in it - you've got piles of inventory. You've got to figure out the best way to sell it. And it might just be a mix of ways. Good luck to us all!

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com