They may be wrong.
2006-10-14 08:35:38 · 6 answers · asked by John G 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Other - Arts & Humanities
Mostly you get an over inflated lie. They get on antiques roadshow and say this stuff and when anyone says OK It is for sale, they drop the estimate to pennies on the dollar. It is scamming. Nothing is worth anything until you find a buyer and not a seller. An appraiser is usually affiliated with a seller. So they lie. Just try to sell it to them for anything close to what they say it is worth and they will hem and haw and say they can only pay this much as they have to stock it: advertise it: and this and this, and then make a profit so they will give you 5 dollars if they said it is worth 300 dollars. A seller is not a buyer. The only value of anything is in the eye of the beholder.
2006-10-14 08:48:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Any appraisal is an opinion. After all the appraisal is to determine the value of an object should it be put up for sale. The amount an object could sell for could be determined from anything such as other objects of same quality, ability to purchase, general well-being of the economy in the area to be sold, saturation or absence of such objects available for sale, and on and on.
I would say get several appraisals, ask for there reasoning's behind the findings they have given and look at what other like-quality items have sold for. In this way you can make an informed decision on which appraiser is closer to actual reality. This also goes for real estate as well.
2006-10-14 15:57:00 · answer #2 · answered by r_k_winters 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's an opinion!
It's all supply and demand and profit margins.
Take a nickel - it's worth 5c
As far as the metal is worth, it may be worth 10c
If it's a high mintage state it may be worth 15c
If it's a low mintage state (rare) it may be worth $20.
If it is is near mint condition, it may be worth
$200.
If it's in 100% proof condition, it may be worth
$2000.
If someone wants it, it's worth only the amount he will give you.
Most appraiser's quotes are a ball park figure (give or take) either way.
It's best to get many opinions on the item.
Remember,you are not coming out the big winner on the deal! The person who buys it from you, expects to sell it for a profit!
He will give you as little as possible "telling you how fair of a deal it is", then turn around and try
sell it to someone else, for as much profit, as he can make.
Your best weapon is knowledge, (history, condition, rarity) of the item etc.
2006-10-14 15:57:05 · answer #3 · answered by cab veteran 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Appraisers study in their area of expertise and are sought out because they KNOW the history of the antique object they are assessing. If they say "In my opinion" it means the object lacks specific identifying characteristics that would mark it as endeniably the "real McCoy". But even so, their "opinion" is worth something, because it is based on experience.
2006-10-14 15:52:36 · answer #4 · answered by Miz Teri 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the appraiser. It's preferable if you find an appraiser affiliated with an auction house in your city.
2006-10-14 15:38:06 · answer #5 · answered by newyorkgal71 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they may be wrong.
But they give you the truth as far as they know.
2006-10-14 15:38:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋