Antiques ?nd collectibles ?r? big business--on eBay, th? collectibles category ?lon? h?d a gross merchandise v?lue of ?ver $2 billion dollars la?t year ju?t ?n th? s?cond quarter. The e-commerce boom h?s ?nly fueled the industry--sellers ?re n? longer limited to local audiences, an? buyers ?r? n? longer limited to local dealers. You ??n find things that y?u'd n?ver run acro?? ?n ??ur lifetime, fr?m people all ov?r th? world. Buying or selling online isn't r??ll? th?t ??ff?r?nt fr?m buying ?r selling in ? brick-and-mortar store--people w?nt the s?m? type ?f information and n?e? to a?k th? s?m? questions.

Pam Wiggins ?f http://ChicAntiques.com suggests numerous learning resources for ??m??n? wh? w?nt? t? get int? th? antiques business but knows n?th?ng ?b?ut it:

* Use th? internet--there ar? lots ?f great websites, such a? http://Antiques.About.com.

* Read books on antiques ?nd collectibles.

* Join v?riou? online collecting groups. Says Wiggins, You're going to learn ? whole lot in ? short period b?caus? ??u're interacting with ?th?r people who ar? v?r? experienced. They will answer ?our questions.

* Attend actual shows and ??k questions ?bout items that interest ??u ?r that y?u'? l?ke to learn more about.

Wiggins recommends, I think it'? ? good to...get ??ur footing in ?n? or two areas, th?n branch out an? start learning about ?ther things...There's so mu?h to learn [that] I think ?t builds y?ur confidence ?f ?ou can feel like you kn?w a lot ab?ut ?ne thing. Choose a narrow specialty--don't try to become an expert in ? r?ally broad category like dolls ?r glass. Instead, specialize in depression glass ?r carnival glass.

How to Get the Best Prices When Buying an? Selling

Becoming knowledgeable in ?n area enables ?ou to recognize ? bargain an? estimate what ??fferent pieces will g? for ?n ??ffer?nt markets. When buying, Wiggins suggests, Don't be shy ab?ut ?sk?ng for a discount. In the antiques business, ?t's not ?nl? accepted, but it's expected, so do a?k f?r that. People that kn?w you'r? buying t? resell will u?u?lly t?ke th?t ?nto consideration.

When selling, remember reserves d?n't alw?ys work well ?n th? antiques business. If y?u feel confident ? piece will bring ? good price, y?u ma? want t? start the bid fairly low. However, if y?u've invested ? lot ?n your wares, you ma? opt to start the bid w?th the price ?ou'r? wanting. Always kee? ?n mind what th? market will bear an? look ?t th? completed items t? g?t an idea ?f wh?t ?ou ??n expect.

It's important to h?ve a good photo and description--post shots from multiple views, and ?f th?r?'s ?n? kind ?f authentication mark, be ?ure to g?t that ?? well. People will want to kn?w the age, quality, and condition, a? w?ll a? an? flaws that m?ght affect the value.

If a piece ?? extremely rare ?r expensive, ?ou m?y want to c?ns???r h?v?ng ?t appraised. However, items worth ev?n $1,000 ?ren't usu?ll? considered worth th? expense ?f a written appraisal. If you hav? no idea of th? value ?f an item, ??u ??n submit a photo t? What'sItWorthToYou.com, ?nd for $9.95 they'll give ??u ?n assessment of it's v?lue an? answer your questions.