Author Topic: Do prices of rare & precious items (antiques, etc.) increase in December?  (Read 9064 times)

*CountessA*

  • Administrator
  • Knight of the RT
  • *****
  • Posts: 35159
What's been your experience? Do you find that bidding goes higher in the lead-up to Christmas? Do you find yourself paying much more than you'd have done two months earlier? Do you find BIN prices set higher?

I've been browsing the Georgian silver (and I'm disappointed to still see "style" and "reproduction" and so on appearing in the "Antiques" section, but ah well), and the prices are very high at the moment. Very high indeed; not a single bargain to be found. I wonder if I'm just imagining it... if I'm expecting too low a price, or if my experience echoes that of others.
"No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; every man is ...a part of the maine; ...any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde"

*wheels*

  • Knights of the RT
  • Knight of the RT
  • *****
  • Posts: 8000
Re: Do prices of rare & precious items (antiques, etc.) increase in December?
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2009, 08:54:27 PM »
Countess, sorry can't help you with an answer. The only rare and precious items I have (or want) can't be found on any auction sites.

*CountessA*

  • Administrator
  • Knight of the RT
  • *****
  • Posts: 35159
Re: Do prices of rare & precious items (antiques, etc.) increase in December?
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2009, 11:09:44 PM »
I've found silver creamers that I'd have expected to see for perhaps 120GBP being listed at more than double that. It boggles the mind.
"No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; every man is ...a part of the maine; ...any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde"

gr8-expectations

  • Guest
Re: Do prices of rare & precious items (antiques, etc.) increase in December?
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2009, 11:10:59 PM »
far out are they getting those prices though?

gr8-expectations

  • Guest
Re: Do prices of rare & precious items (antiques, etc.) increase in December?
« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2009, 11:15:30 PM »
ebay uk have a listing free insertion special on until the end of jan 2010 in some cats including books, i am thinking of posting it here as a thread, it only applies to items you are willing to start as auctions at GPB 4.99 and there are some conditions which are very confusing i.e. in the first postage option (which i assume is domestic there) you must enter "o" in the amount for postage or check the free box (same thing) so i am going to message them to find out why that is, i assume they expect the seller to be willing to take the 4.99 and include the postage if thats all it sells for, not very lucrative for the seller i think.

here is the link to the details anyone interested please read the fine print...

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/promos/0IF_091209/index.html

*CountessA*

  • Administrator
  • Knight of the RT
  • *****
  • Posts: 35159
Re: Do prices of rare & precious items (antiques, etc.) increase in December?
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2009, 11:15:57 PM »
Yes! They are!

That's what is surprising me. The high prices asked on auctioned items are attracting bids, for instance, and I saw at least two items I had in my watch list sell. I wasn't going to pay that amount, but I was interested to see what happened with them...
"No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; every man is ...a part of the maine; ...any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde"

gr8-expectations

  • Guest
Re: Do prices of rare & precious items (antiques, etc.) increase in December?
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2009, 11:16:14 PM »
From Wednesday 9th December 2009 to Sunday 24th January 2010 (UK time), private sellers who list item(s) in the following categories: a) Music; b) Books, Comics and Magazines; c) Video Games (not including items listed in the following Video Games sub-categories: Coin-Operated, Consoles & Systems and Vintage & Retro Gaming); and d) DVD, Film & TV, using the Auction-style format on eBay.co.uk, with a starting price of £4.99 or less, will not pay an insertion fee per listing.

Please refer to "What's Excluded?" for more details.
When is it?

Wednesday 9th December 2009 – Sunday 24th January 2010 GMT (promotional period)
What's included?

    * Only items listed on eBay.co.uk using the Auction-style or Auction with Buy It Now formats are included in the promotion (Members listing using the Auction-with-Buy It Now format will still be charged the Listing Upgrade Fee for Buy It Now).
    * Any item scheduled to start within the promotional period will qualify for the promotion.
    * Only items listed for sale in the following categories: a) Music; b) Books, Comics and Magazines; c) Video Games (excluding items listed in the following Video Games sub-categories: Coin-Operated, Consoles & Systems and Vintage & Retro Gaming); and d) DVD, Film & TV.
    * Sellers can list items with a starting price of £4.99 or less to qualify for the promotion.
    * If sellers re-list an item within the promotional period, which had previously closed without a successful sale, the re-listed item will qualify for the promotion.

What's Excluded?

    * Any items within a listing, which does not meet all the promotion criteria.
    * Apart from the categories listed in the “What’s Included?” section, items listed in any other categories are excluded from the promotion. Please note that items in the following Video Games sub-categories, are not included: Coin-Operated, Consoles & Systems and Vintage & Retro Gaming.
    * All formats, apart from those listed in the “What’s Included?” section, are excluded.
    * Items listed as Fixed Price
    * Identical listings that do not comply with our Duplicate Listings policy. See the full details about our Duplicate Listings policy.
    * Any listing scheduled to start outside the promotional period will NOT qualify for the promotion.
    * Any items listed which do not comply with eBay’s Listing Policies or Prohibited and Restricted Items Policies.
    * Items which are listed with a Reserve Price.
    * Only the basic eBay Insertion Fee will be reduced to 0 pence (£0.00). All other eBay selling fees will still apply at their standard rates, including but not limited to Final Value Fees, optional Reserve Price Fees and all Listing Upgrade Fees such as "Gallery Plus", "Subtitle", "Bold" or "Highlight". See the full details about eBay fees.

Members listing using the Auction-with-Buy It Now format will still be charged the Listing Upgrade Fee for Buy It Now.

Further information

    * If the item qualifies for the promotion, the "Sell Your Item" form will indicate to the seller that they have been charged the Insertion Fee of 0 pence (£0.00).
    * If the item is listed in 2 eligible categories (see What’s Included? above) and both categories qualify for the promotion, the Insertion Fee will be 0 pence (£0.00) times 2 i.e. 0 pence (£0.00).
    * Remember, when listing items in the eligible categories, you must ensure that:
          o domestic postage is set to “Flat: Same cost to all buyers”;
          o the first domestic postage service is specified and ‘0’ is entered into the £ cost field or the “Free P&P” tick box is ticked;
          o insurance must either not be required or have its cost set to zero;
          o postage service should not be “Local Delivery/Pick Up” or “Other”; and
          o there are no surcharges.

General terms

    * eBay reserves the right to suspend, change or cancel the promotion at any time, in the event of circumstances arising which, in eBay's opinion, make it necessary for it to do so. eBay reserves the right to add additional terms and conditions for certain parts of this promotion.
    * The decision of eBay regarding any aspect of this promotion is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

gr8-expectations

  • Guest
Re: Do prices of rare & precious items (antiques, etc.) increase in December?
« Reply #7 on: December 15, 2009, 11:16:54 PM »
Yes! They are!

That's what is surprising me. The high prices asked on auctioned items are attracting bids, for instance, and I saw at least two items I had in my watch list sell. I wasn't going to pay that amount, but I was interested to see what happened with them...

wow thats amazing i am surprised

gr8-expectations

  • Guest
Re: Do prices of rare & precious items (antiques, etc.) increase in December?
« Reply #8 on: December 15, 2009, 11:17:11 PM »
must be seasonal then if you have been watching the prices

*CountessA*

  • Administrator
  • Knight of the RT
  • *****
  • Posts: 35159
Re: Do prices of rare & precious items (antiques, etc.) increase in December?
« Reply #9 on: December 15, 2009, 11:18:54 PM »
I've been coveting a few pieces... and it really seems to me that prices are jumping up to the roof lately.

I will wait until after Christmas to think about buying any Georgian silver. Definitely. I'm not about to throw money around like confetti on a non-environmentally-conscious bridal couple.
"No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; every man is ...a part of the maine; ...any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde"

gr8-expectations

  • Guest
Re: Do prices of rare & precious items (antiques, etc.) increase in December?
« Reply #10 on: December 15, 2009, 11:21:33 PM »
yes good idea it sounds, have a look on ruby lane its pretty good and many sellers have make an offer and make an outrageous offer and see how you go

i know heaters like gas heaters etc go up by up to $100-150 in winter and air con in summer here but i would not have thought antiques would jump like that, so strange, why? its not an item everyone buys for christmas gifts is it? or maybe for gravy boats etc for impressive family spreads etc maybe?

gr8-expectations

  • Guest
Re: Do prices of rare & precious items (antiques, etc.) increase in December?
« Reply #11 on: December 15, 2009, 11:22:37 PM »
try ebay.com and ebay canada, ebay canada often have quite nice things and shipping is actually cheaper than from uk

*CountessA*

  • Administrator
  • Knight of the RT
  • *****
  • Posts: 35159
Re: Do prices of rare & precious items (antiques, etc.) increase in December?
« Reply #12 on: December 15, 2009, 11:22:53 PM »
Just my luck - this would be the year everyone in the UK buys Georgian silver for their loved ones.
"No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; every man is ...a part of the maine; ...any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde"

*CountessA*

  • Administrator
  • Knight of the RT
  • *****
  • Posts: 35159
Re: Do prices of rare & precious items (antiques, etc.) increase in December?
« Reply #13 on: December 15, 2009, 11:24:14 PM »
When it comes to antiques, I don't want to buy from America. I want to buy from someone who's had the piece in the familiy for a couple of hundred years.

Canada... I've bought from Canadian sellers before...  :waiting: :waiting: :waiting: :waiting: :waiting: :waiting: :waiting: :waiting: :waiting: :waiting: :waiting:
"No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; every man is ...a part of the maine; ...any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde"

gr8-expectations

  • Guest
Re: Do prices of rare & precious items (antiques, etc.) increase in December?
« Reply #14 on: December 15, 2009, 11:24:56 PM »
seems a weird thing to me countess i would have thought it would have been quieter than usual but seems the opposite applies might be a uk thing, check around a bit

gr8-expectations

  • Guest
Re: Do prices of rare & precious items (antiques, etc.) increase in December?
« Reply #15 on: December 15, 2009, 11:27:26 PM »
When it comes to antiques, I don't want to buy from America. I want to buy from someone who's had the piece in the familiy for a couple of hundred years.

Canada... I've bought from Canadian sellers before...  :waiting: :waiting: :waiting: :waiting: :waiting: :waiting: :waiting: :waiting: :waiting: :waiting: :waiting:

whats wrong with them? i have bought a few times off canadian book sellers all went well did you have a bad experience, you know australian sellers had a bad rep in the us for quite a while and uk is a bit anti aus i have found, its down to individual experiences i think , a lot of silverwear and antiques in both us and canada the history is with the piece not the country and us is quite old now... lots of colonial things there, i have a friend there who has an amazing collection of very early uk transferware

*CountessA*

  • Administrator
  • Knight of the RT
  • *****
  • Posts: 35159
Re: Do prices of rare & precious items (antiques, etc.) increase in December?
« Reply #16 on: December 15, 2009, 11:44:01 PM »
The problem with buying from Canadian sellers is the enormously long postage time.

I remember waiting for seven weeks for something to arrive. It's not their fault; just notoriously slow postage from Canada to anywhere else (but especially to Australia).
"No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; every man is ...a part of the maine; ...any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde"

low-enghooi

  • Knight of the RT
  • *****
  • Posts: 2474
Re: Do prices of rare & precious items (antiques, etc.) increase in December?
« Reply #17 on: December 16, 2009, 11:10:34 AM »
What's been your experience? Do you find that bidding goes higher in the lead-up to Christmas?

For coins I collect, less bidding taken place, thus lower price. Also it is this time in the year many special one coming up for sale. I love Christmas!

Same also for banknotes, but I don't collect them. A collector friend bought a few nice one at bargain price.

The problem with buying from Canadian sellers is the enormously long postage time.

Seems OK to post to Malaysia. About 7 to 10 business days, both registered and regular mail.