If you are looking for a small business to try, then why not buy and sell antique furniture? This is a small business that is becoming very popular right now, and the best thing about it is that you can treat it as a sort of hobby. You can visit flea markets, fairs, auctions, and even junk shops in your spare time and hunt for antique furniture that you think people will want to buy. If you have the know-how, you can restore the old furniture yourself. Repair the damages and repaint the furniture. If you do not know how to restore old furniture, then for a cheap cost, you can have someone do it for you. When the antique furniture looks good, you can sell it online for a good price. Many people will pay good money for an antique furniture, especially if it is in its tiptop condition.
If you think this type of business will work for you, then here are five tips for starting this small business.
Look for a Good Source of Antique Furniture
It is really not that difficult to look for antique furniture since there are a lot of places where you can search for them. You have the antique shops, of course, but more often than not, the prices are already high. Not good if you are just starting. If you want to save money, you can try flea markets as well as fairs. You could also try junk shops as well as vintage stores.
Once you have found a good source, make friends with the vendors. They usually share tips, information, and advice on how to buy and sell antique furniture. Plus, they can also let you know when a valuable piece is available.
Choose a Good Furniture
Be very wise in choosing an antique furniture. See to it that it is gently used; meaning, all parts are working perfectly, the frames are sturdy, and there are few scratches, dents, and cracks.
Start with Less Familiar Brands
While it is tempting to purchase only known brands, it will be very good for your startup business to start small. Instead of buying popular brand names, start with less familiar ones. They are cheaper, and you will still find good buyers for them.
Use the Furniture’s Weakness as Your Bargaining Power
That damaged cabinet door hinge should not scare you, nor should that ripped upholstery. Instead, use the furniture’s weakness as your bargaining power. Point out to the seller the damages and use it as a way to reduce their selling price. You can have the damages fixed afterward and sell the antique furniture at a good price.
Of note; when buying damaged furniture, see to it that the damages are something that you can fix at a reasonable cost. You do not want to end up paying a lot of money for having the furniture repaired because it will drive your selling price up, making it harder for you to sell the item.
Have a Good Storage Place
Good for you if you have a room in your home for your antique furniture, but if not, it will be wise to rent a storage unit for them. After having them repaired and restored to their original look, you will want them protected, and storage units could give you that.
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Jennifer Daehn is a freelance content provider for DIY blogs and craft sites. If you are into buying and selling antique furniture, she recommends renting a storage unit where you can safely store your items. If you want to know more about it, you can click here.