Major Antique Show Has Very Light Attendance

You are unlikely to hear the managers of a major upstate New York antique show admit this, but attendance for this major event was the lightest my wife and I have witnessed since attending this event for many years. The weather was picture perfect in the 70 degree range with a beautiful blue sky above. Arriving at 12:30 pm on a Sunday of a three day weekend, we expected to find a line to gain entry into the fairgrounds and a parking spot far from the entrance gate. Such was not the case. There was no line at the gate. We pulled directly in without a wait. Surprisingly, we were directed to park with in a very short distance from the gate of entry. There were only a few people waiting to pay at the window. We noticed the once $7 entry fee had been raised to $9. Upon admittance we found the foot traffic to be the lightest as we have witnessed over the years of attendance. What happened?
Could it have been the $4.25-$4.50 for a gallon of gas that kept downstate folks from making the 125 mile drive to this gorgeous small upstate town? Was it the increase in the admittance fee to $9? I reasoned to my wife that the slowdown we are experiencing in antique or paper shows may be signalling that the economy is worse than what the data indicates from the Department of Labor. Combined with the additional cost of filling up one's gas tank, which leaves much less disposable income in each consumer's wallet/pocketbook, and we have the ingredients for poor attendance and sales at a major antique show. One person's opinion, of course.
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Interestingly, while sitting on a bench to take a rest stop, I overheard two dealers speaking about their sales results. One stated that he only made one sale at $150. The other was disappointed with the days sales number as well. I must confess that I always keep my ears attentive when attending an antique show and hear the dealers discussing their sales for the day.

OVERSEAS SHIPPING

Whew! Here is an area where better service is in dire need. Because of the lengthy delays when delivering an international parcel, I will often ship United States Express Mail. The Express Mail postage may cost an additional $10-$20 for each shipment: however, this includes some insurance, a tracking number, and delivery in 5-7 business days. For example, shipping a 12 pound parcel to Spain costs $58.50 for priority and $74.45 for express. The Express Mail is $15.95 additional over the Priority. Both include some insurance with the shipment. The Express Mail, however, offers tracking, faster delivery service, and requires a signature. The extra cost is worth the peace of mind that I receive knowing where my parcel is at each step in the process and when it is finally delivered. Often, the postage that I charge the buyer is less than the Express Mail cost, so I put the extra few dollars in myself- for the peace of mind.

HAPPY AND SATISFIED CUSTOMERS

There are those wonderful buyers that make a purchase or trade and find that they are totally happy with the item. These customers will take the time and make the effort to write an email directly to the seller upon receipt of an item. These folks are the best and can make a seller's day!

DEALING WITH UNSATISFIED BUYERS

When selling our collectibles we are bound to connect with a buyer that is unhappy or not satisfied with his/her purchase. Sometimes, this is only buyer's remorse. Since we are all buyers and sellers, we eventually have our own buyer's remorse experiences. I recently sold a fabulous looking RCA catalin radio. The catalin radios sell for quite a bit more than a plastic or bakelite because of their beautiful candy type finish. I packed the radio with the usual care and precision, but I worried about its journey to its new home until it arrived. Because of its value a signature was required for delivery. Within a day after the radio arrived the buyer wrote to me pointing out that one of the screws that was hidden inside the rubber foot at the bottom was different than the other three. Whew! This is not something that is obvious because the screw is well hidden. Quite frankly, I never noticed this when I worked on the radio. I explained that I had installed all the parts that were originally with the radio. Time passed and I heard nothing more.
Then, three weeks later I receive another email from this gentleman who claims that he took apart the radio and found another disturbing item. He claimed that the dial face was a replacement and not the original. I do not like to have unhappy customers, so I offered the buyer two choices. A price adjustment or return the radio for a full refund for the purchase price.
A few more days passed until I received his answer. He would accept a partial refund as opposed to returning the radio. I believe that it was a good compromise for both of us. I must confess that I compromise when necessary to close the deal.
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As for me, I have purchased only five catalin radios. I have sold two. I have left three FADA art deco radios nicknamed "the Bullet." I do not plan to buy anymore catalin radios because they present a number of problems. First, the catalin plastic shrinks over the years. This makes it difficult is some cases to remove the chassis from the plastic body. Second, the shrinkage may cause the glass dial face to crack. Replacing the dial face in most cases is impossible. Third, because of the high cost of catalin radios buyers are more particular and demanding to the condition. I don't argue that point either, but any used item is unlikely to be perfect or in mint condition. Especially one that is 60-70 years old and was used and displayed by former owners.
Fourth, the cost of one catalin radio does not make sense to me. I can easily buy 4-6 outstanding plastic, bakelite, or wood table radios for the cost of one catalin. I personally believe that their prices are too high for what one receives in return.
As a result, I will shy away from making any more catalin radio purchases. The experts in catalin radio restorations could have them, and the perfectionists who wants the best can pay the piper for the privilege!

AN ANTIQUE IS A USED ITEM.

Buyers need to put things into perspective with antiques. Unless the item is "new old stock" in its original box, it is unlikely to be a prefect specimen.

For example, this radio looks great (ZENITH H511), but it has a tiny scratch on the bottom race track portion, part of the original label is worn off on the bottom, the backboard is less than 100%, there is wear on the gold tone at the feet under each knob (see photos), and by the label on the bottom are two lines of the original glue used for the label (this was a factory fault). So, let's keep this in perspective when dealing with antiques before we buy. There cannot be a true perfect antique item once the item has been used by former owners.