How can i know if an antique dealer is honest?

Question

I have some old stuff to sell which a got at a boot sale. i've been told they could be valuable.

i am going to take them to a dealer but how can a tell, or make sure he wont rip me off.

and what are the signs of valuable silver....the stamp marks?

Answer 1

you dont

Answer 2

rip you off ? like you did to the guy at the boot sale !

Ha Ha Ha. truth hurts does it ?

if its not worth a lot then why worry about them ripping you off, are your arms really short and your pockets deep, get a life  or better still get a job !

Answer 3

Get a second opinion.

Answer 4

Simply show it to three dealers and check the items on Ebay.

Answer 5

http://www.iosilver.co.uk/silver-hallmar...

I haven't properly looked at this link but hope it helps or leads you to some help. You could try a few different dealers to be sure. Also look on sites that are selling similar items for comparison.

elsie, I was guessing chris was joking? lol maybe not. oops. lol

Answer 6

Always look around for second opinions,look around E bay for similar items.There is a book I believe that explains and details makers and quality etc Please be carefull and aware,always let them tell you what it is,even though you know diferently,its a good indication of there intentions and character.At least if there truthfull the value then takes less priority.g+r

Answer 7

..elsie.....there are no honest antique dealers.....only some a bit less dishonest than others.....seamanab x

Answer 8

thier reputation

Answer 9

Get yourself a book of Essay Marks,which lists the quality of silver,its city of manufacture and it will have the year marks as well.

Other than that the only other thing I could suggest would be to read up about the items your buying or selling.

Most dealers are pretty honest,being highly regulated make sure you get a reciept.

Love and Luck

Answer 10

Try and find out from other people who have dealt with the dealer.

Answer 11

I think if  I couldn't find the value on line I would take the item to 2 different dealers just to see if they placed a similar value on it .

Answer 12

Dealers by definition ( and by my personal knowledge of quite a few of them...) are not the people to expect to be totally honest.

They are in business, right? And, generally speaking, their way of thinking is: Too bad for you if you are not aware of the value of what you bring to them.

Also, be aware that if you live in a small place you stand a much bigger chance of being offered a  lower price than the one you would fetch in a big city.  

Stamp marks identify silver.

They are different for every provenance, ( place of origin ), century and maker.

Sometimes they might be hard to read the, though, as they might be worn out by usage.

As auction houses usually provide a free value assessment, I would recommend you try them.

I would not touch Ebay until you have a better idea of what your objects are really worth.

Also, I would not sell them now unless you really need to.

It is probably best to keep them for when silver' prices are not as low as they are now.

Hope this is helpful. Obviously you have a good eye, so keep scouring boot sales and who knows...you might become a dealer too!

Best of luck