Selling antiques in Wichita: how to get a fair offer
What to do before you call a dealer, and why an offer differs from an appraisal.
By Vintage Finds Antiques, Wichita. Updated . 4 minute read.
Don't clean or restore it first
It is tempting to polish a sign, refinish a dresser or scrub an old bottle before you sell it. Don't. Original finish and honest patina are often part of the value, and a quick clean-up can lower what a collector will pay.
Gather what you know
Where did it come from? Who owned it? Old receipts, photos of the piece in use, or a family story all help a buyer understand what they are looking at. Write it down before you call.
Take clear photos
Good photos let a dealer give you a rough answer before you load the truck.
- The whole piece, front and back, in daylight
- Any labels, stamps, maker's marks or serial numbers
- Damage, chips and repairs, shown honestly
- Something for scale, or the measurements
An offer is not an appraisal
An appraisal estimates what something is worth, usually for insurance or an estate. A dealer's offer is what they can pay today, based on what they expect to resell it for, so it is lower than the retail price. Both are useful, and they answer different questions.
Bring collections together
If you are clearing an estate or a garage, keep related items together. A box of records or a set of signs is easier to evaluate as a group, and the visit goes faster. For large lots, call ahead so we can set aside time.
Selling to Vintage Finds Antiques
We buy antiques and used goods at 4723 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67218. Call (316) 799-9469 to describe what you have, or bring it by during open hours. If it fits the shop, you get a fair offer in person, with no pressure either way.
