Many individuals become Antiquario Roma for prestige reasons. Prestige dealers seek easily recognizable antiques such as Chippendale or Queen Anne furniture, Chinese export pottery, and paintings by famous artists. These dealers resell their merchandise for more than the cost of acquisition.
Often, new dealers begin their careers by leasing space in multi-vendor areas such as antique malls. They may also use online marketplaces such as eBay to sell.
Antique dealers buy and sell relics of the past, which may include furniture, jewelry, books, paintings or other art, rugs, clocks and other household goods. Some have a specific area of expertise; others are generalists who evaluate the historical and financial value of any item with a history behind it. Whether they work in a store, at an auction house or operate their own antique brokerage, most dealers spend much of their time sourcing items to sell and preparing for shows. Many begin the profession as interns or assistants, and learn inventory systems, bookkeeping methodology, and client contact and valuation decisions. Some attend specialized classes and conferences in their fields, to expand their knowledge base.
Many people become dealers because they love the items they deal with. Other qualifications include a keen eye for detail, excellent research skills and networking ability. It is also important to understand the timelines and valuations of various items, and to know when a good bargain exists.
Most antique dealers work on commission. They may take on clients and find items for them, or they may purchase antiques at a wholesale price from a supplier and mark them up to sell to their customers. It is important to develop relationships with suppliers, so that a dealer can obtain the best possible price for an item.
The career often involves long hours. A lot of time is spent sourcing, traveling to auctions and other antique dealers, researching and negotiating prices. In order to be successful, a dealer must have a good understanding of history and current trends in interior design, as these can influence buyer demand for certain items. It is also important to be able to identify a real from a fake, and have a solid grasp of appraisal techniques.
A high school diploma or equivalent is usually required, although relevant post-secondary education is not always necessary to start the career. Many dealers learn the business through trial and error, and a strong network of industry contacts is helpful. The industry can be volatile, and the resale of items is dependent on the economy as well as interior design trends.
Marketing
Antique dealers have the opportunity to establish a connection with their audience and create emotional resonance through high-quality photographs and stories about the pieces they sell. This is important because customers are looking for a special piece that may remind them of family or evoke a particular memory. Posting lifestyle images that feature the antique in the context of a home or office setting can help buyers envision how it will be used.
Thriving antique dealers become experts in one or more areas of the broader industry, so it is important to figure out what interests you and immerse yourself in that area. Visit auctions, group shops and shows, talk to other antique dealers at events and at their shops, and read books and articles about the field you want to specialize in. This is how you learn about the business of selling antiques, such as profit margins and resale values.
Once you know what kind of antiques you want to sell, it’s time to set up a shop or find an existing one. If you are starting with a storefront, invest in high-quality display cabinets and attractive furniture for your showroom. Then, choose a location that is easy for your customers to get to and where you can attract passersby. Having a physical shop also gives you the ability to hold antique fairs and other events where you can showcase your items to new audiences.
If you want to sell online, make sure your website is professional and includes a shopping cart that makes it easy for customers to purchase. You can also use social media to advertise your sales and promotions. But be careful which platforms you choose, as not all are transparent about their processes for buyers and sellers.
If you want to increase engagement levels, try live broadcasts that unveil new items or conduct virtual tours of your antique gallery. This is a great way to connect with your audience in an interactive manner, and you can even run contests and giveaways to boost customer loyalty. You can also use Pinterest to spot antique trends by following influential pinners and observing the types of items that they like.
Inventory Management
A key part of inventory management is ensuring that the correct quantity of inventory is on hand at the right time. This involves understanding customer demand, supplier supply dynamics, and other factors that can impact the availability of inventory. It also requires knowing how to control inventory using techniques such as reorder point, safety stock, lead time, and carrying costs. These inventory control techniques help companies avoid overstocking, understocking, and waste.
As an antique dealer, you may want to consider an advanced POS system with built-in features such as a warehouse management module that supports the tracking of inventory in multiple locations. Having the ability to store and track inventory at different sites can significantly improve efficiencies and reduce manual data entry, which is often a significant source of inefficiency for many retail businesses.
Another feature to look for in a POS system is the ability to use barcode scanning and RFID to track inventory. Having the ability to scan items without having to open up an app or manually enter data can drastically improve accuracy, speed, and efficiency. RFID scanners can be used to track the location and inventory of products as they move around your store or warehouse, which can save time and money over traditional methods.
Finally, look for a POS system that is flexible enough to handle the specific needs of your antique mall. You might require booth-level rent tracking, split payments, or vendor sales reporting. Assessing your specific operational requirements will quickly weed out systems that won’t meet the unique demands of your business.
A standout choice for antique dealers is ConnectPOS, a streamlined POS system designed for hybrid selling environments that seamlessly bridges offline charm with online convenience. From syncing with popular eCommerce platforms to streamlining layaway purchases, this POS solution handles the complexity of managing an antique mall without adding a lot of unnecessary extra work for store owners and vendors. It provides real-time inventory updates, vendor sales reports, and transparent payouts, and offers reliable offline mode to prevent downtime during internet outages. Personalized onboarding and responsive support make it easy for antique vendors to get up and running with ConnectPOS.
Advertising
Whether you are a collector or simply love old things, starting an antiques business can be an exciting and lucrative endeavor. Antique dealers can find success in a variety of ways, including selling at group shops, auctions, shows, and online. To become a successful antique dealer, it is important to decide which type of antiques you are interested in and focus your efforts on those types of products.
Thriving antique dealers are experts in one or more areas of the broader field, so it is essential to learn everything you can about your specialty and the eras of pieces that interest you. Visit auctions, attend antique sales, and spend time at local antique shops to absorb as much information as possible. The more you know, the better you can judge what you are looking at and determine whether it is worth your while to buy.
In addition to knowing your niche, you should develop an effective advertising strategy. Social media is an excellent tool for reaching new customers and driving traffic to your store. Ensure your content is visually captivating and that it tells a story about each piece in your collection. It is also important to build trust and credibility through customer reviews and testimonials.
Another way to increase your audience is by collaborating with influencers and bloggers who have a passion for vintage and antique items. This can lead to high-quality content and more exposure for your business. To make this a winning strategy, start by pinpointing influencers and bloggers who are interested in antiques and reach out to them for collaboration opportunities. For example, you could offer rare antique items for reviews and giveaways.
Facebook’s business platform can be an effective way to promote your antiques and art, as it allows you to target specific audiences based on their interests and demographics. It is also a great tool for tracking the performance of your paid advertising and making necessary adjustments over time. You can even use Facebook’s “Facebook Live” feature to discuss antique items and provide insights to your viewers.