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Hey, at least their things were not published on the FBI page like that other guy's (RIP) art collection ;)

You can always call your homeowners insurance company for the name of an appraiser. (Set the fee beforehand to avoid surprises.) A professional appraiser -- as opposed to a dealer -- has no conflict of interest.

If you ask a dealer, you really aren't asking, "What's it worth?" You're asking, "How much will you pay me for it?" Dealers are paying you a "wholesale" price -- because they'll need to mark the item up (usually 50%) to keep their business profitable.

If you want to see what the market price is, why not sell it at auction?

Antique dealers are just like any other business---they need to buy things on the cheap to then sale them for what they are worth in the going market. You are never going to get what something is worth from a dealer.
If you buy a vase at Macy's for 100dollars, Macy's did not pay 100$ for it, they only paid about 20 or 25$ for it. They then marked it up to cover all their cost like rent of store, heat, air, sales peoples pay, display cost, taxes----the list goes on and on. Well antique store owners are just the same with all the same cost. Plus they have to make a profit to pay themselves money to live their life!

But her cat liked him!

This NPR story is is intended to provoke public interest and excitement, and likely it's greatly abridged, at the expense of accuracy and sentiment. As Lisa Hunter said in the comment above, an accredited independent professional appraiser would not have behaved in the way she described - and I'm sorry she didn't pursue him in court, as she would have had a better story with a happier ending, and done a public service besides.

But what I take issue with is this inflammatory statement:
"So if you're planning to hold your own estate or garage sale, be warned of the shady tactics of appraisers and dealers!" and the request for stories of bad experiences. How about, if you're planning to hold your own estate or garage sale, educate and protect yourself - but realize too that the value of anything is what someone will pay for it. I'm sure there are a lot of bad experiences in the world of buying and selling - I've had them myself. but they mostly have to do with rudeness and bad manners - not criminal intent.

If you're not reaching the best market for your items, which you're not doing at an estate or yard sale, you're not going to make the highest market prices. Learning, having and using this knowledge, expertise, skill and effort is how dealers and antique sellers earn their money. They don't always just luck into it by duping rubes. Further, they invest in their businesses and have expenses to cover - and they always have the option not to buy your items if they can't make a profit. At your sale, you are the seller; you are choosing to sell your items - they're not being wrested from you; you set the price; and it's often only when comparing your take with that of a professional that discontent emerges. Fair market value is what you get - what a willing buyer pays a willing seller in an open market with all conditions known and no duress. Retail value is what the dealer offers it for beyond that. One item can have many different values, only the dealer divorces the item from sentimental value - no matter how charming chips on tea cups are to sweet old ladies.

When your mom picked up the Nancy Drew set from another yard sale, didn't she give them way too little for the set too?

Hi,
I am a regular AT reader AND an art appraiser. I neither buy nor sell art from my clients. In fact, all appraisals should state the appraisers DISINTEREST in the pieces they appraise. I also run a blog which regularly discusses those who try to take advantage of their clients etc. You can visit it at www.appraisemyart.blogspot.com
There are some shady appraisers out there but, like anything else, you should do your homework. The Appraisal Foundation through combing phone book ads determined there are 1 million persons performing appraisals. There are only 2000 members in the three appraisal societies (AAA, ASA,ISA). All three appraisal organizations require members to understand, remain certified in, and write reports according to USPAP.
To find a qualified appraiser you can go to www.appraisersassoc.org
www.appraisemyart.blogspot.com

My grandfather took his stamp collection to a friend who kept them for a few days to inspect and give him a price. The friend ended up stealing the most valuable and then denying they even existed in the set. Never let anything you think is worth money out of your sight when getting it appraised!

My grandmother got fleeced by an antiques dealer; she was in the early stages of Alzheimers at the time (which we weren't aware of yet) and someone came to the door asking if she had any furniture or anything she wanted to get rid of. She couldn't remember what had emotional/monetary value and what didn't, so he took advantage of her.

He took almost everything that they had, including an old, WORKING, wax-cylinder Victrola that was my grandfather's prized possession, and gave her next to nothing for it all. Our family lost almost all of its heirlooms in one fell swoop.

I agree that dealers need to buy low and sell high in order to make a profit, but the problem arises when the distinction between appraiser/buyer is blurred.

I've bought and sold lots of vintage modern furniture. I always pay people what they ask - but if they ask me how much it is worth I will ALWAYS give them my honest estimate.

There are a few dealers around the Boston area who email me when I sell on Craigslist. Most of the emails consist of an unsolicited 'appraisal' - basically I'm selling stuff too high and they'd be happy to "take it off my hands" for a fraction of what I'm asking. Then they relist it at their warehouse the next day. I've never fallen for it, but I'm sure lots of people have.

The correct response is to educate yourself as much as possible before even listing something. If you have it appraised, lie - say its for insurance purposes, not for resale. Or go to someone who is an independent appraiser and not a dealer.