Finding the best antique prices is only one half of the equation. Negotiating an even better price is the other. Collecting antiques is a rewarding hobby with the excitement that comes from finding a good deal on antique values for an item you love. The trick lies in knowing how to negotiate so that you and the dealer are both happy when the deal is done.

Know Your Product

The more you know about the items in which you're interested, the better armed you’ll be when it comes to negotiating a better price. If you’re an avid collector of Weller Pottery, for example, you’ll need to know how to identify its style, patterns and glazes in order to recognize it in the midst of a crowded display. You should also have a good understanding the value of the individual piece and what flaws or imperfections lower its value.

In some cases, you might discover that you know more about the item and its value than the dealer who’s selling it and that’s where your knowledge gives you a leg up when it comes to negotiating. On the other hand, you might fall in love with a piece of costume of jewelry you know nothing about. Does that mean you can’t negotiate? Of course not. Ask the dealer for more information or the history of the piece. If it turns out they don’t know much more than you do, you’re on an even playing field.

And if you have fallen in love with that piece of costume jewelry, don’t gush to the dealer. If they think you’re willing to pay anything to add the piece to your collection, they’ll act on it. Don’t be afraid to walk away and come back later. The longer the piece remains in the dealer’s inventory, the more likely they’ll be willing to negotiate in order to turn the piece.

Build Relationships with Dealers

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