Antiques
Shopping Etiquette
There are certain rules of etiquette that should be respected when shopping for antiques in New Orleans.
Antiquing in New Orleans is a fun way to spend the day, but remember that the people who work in the industry are trying to earn a living. While it may be a leisure activity for shoppers, New Orleans sellers and dealers are working very hard. Don’t waste their time: Be respectful of their merchandise and don’t try to buy an item for an unfair price. When everyone respects the guidelines, shoppers get wonderful items at fair prices and sellers make a sale and keep earning a living. Shop etiquette is just as important as buying etiquette, we have included just a few things to help your buying experience more fun and pleasurable.
Experienced antiques and collectible hunters know the rules of the game. As with everything else in life, there are do’s and don’ts. If you want to be taken seriously as a buyer.
Here are some helpful things to remember:
Shop Etiquette
• New Orleans is a beautiful and amazing city for antique shopping however it rains, when shopping in the rain please be mindful not to get water all over the sellers shop, most shops offer an umbrella holder at the entrance, water can damage valuable antiques and collectibles.
• Food and beverages are usually not permitted in sellers stores, however if you find yourself holding a beverage, please ask the seller if there is a place you can place it while shopping, leaving a beverage on antique furniture could ruin the finish costing the seller time and money to repair the damage.
• Refrain from yelling across the shop, politely approach the person you wish to speak with and keep your voice down so other buyers can have a pleasurable experience.
Buying Etiquette
• People who sell antiques for a living often have a good deal of knowledge about their products. They are also small-business owners who have to put up with a lot. Treat them with the respect they deserve.
• Don’t ask a dealer to hold something for you unless you’re prepared to pay before you walk away. It’s not fair to ask him or her to miss a potential sale.
• Don’t insult the seller by using garage-sale tactics, such as offering a few dollars for an obviously valuable article. Instead, ask if the price is firm or if there is room for negotiation.
• Don’t say anything that questions the integrity of the dealer, such as, “Is this table really that old?” If you have doubts, a better way to phrase your question is, “What can you tell me about this table?”
• Don’t show up at an antiques shop or booth and ask the seller to appraise an item for you. They’re not appraisers.
• Don’t burn your bridges. If you feel a price is too high and the dealer won’t negotiate, just say it is out of your price range and walk away. Some dealers have “firm only” pricing.
• Don’t insult the dealer by complaining about the quality of his or her merchandise. Antiques dealers know all the nicks, scratches, and flaws on the piece, and an item is normally priced to reflect any obvious flaws.
• A dealer usually knows the level of demand for and the value of an item in the market. If an item doesn’t seem worth the price, don’t buy it.
• If you want more information, don’t be afraid to ask about the style, provenance, age, or anything else about your purchase that piques your curiosity.
• Follow the golden rule of antiquing: Buy what you like when you see it, because it may be gone when you come back.
Antiquing in New Orleans is a fun way to spend the day, but remember that the people who work in the industry are trying to earn a living. While it may be a leisure activity for shoppers, New Orleans sellers and dealers are working very hard. Don’t waste their time: Be respectful of their merchandise and don’t try to buy an item for an unfair price. When everyone respects the guidelines, shoppers get wonderful items at fair prices and sellers make a sale and keep earning a living. Shop etiquette is just as important as buying etiquette, we have included just a few things to help your buying experience more fun and pleasurable.
Experienced antiques and collectible hunters know the rules of the game. As with everything else in life, there are do’s and don’ts. If you want to be taken seriously as a buyer.
Here are some helpful things to remember:
Shop Etiquette
• New Orleans is a beautiful and amazing city for antique shopping however it rains, when shopping in the rain please be mindful not to get water all over the sellers shop, most shops offer an umbrella holder at the entrance, water can damage valuable antiques and collectibles.
• Food and beverages are usually not permitted in sellers stores, however if you find yourself holding a beverage, please ask the seller if there is a place you can place it while shopping, leaving a beverage on antique furniture could ruin the finish costing the seller time and money to repair the damage.
• Refrain from yelling across the shop, politely approach the person you wish to speak with and keep your voice down so other buyers can have a pleasurable experience.
Buying Etiquette
• People who sell antiques for a living often have a good deal of knowledge about their products. They are also small-business owners who have to put up with a lot. Treat them with the respect they deserve.
• Don’t ask a dealer to hold something for you unless you’re prepared to pay before you walk away. It’s not fair to ask him or her to miss a potential sale.
• Don’t insult the seller by using garage-sale tactics, such as offering a few dollars for an obviously valuable article. Instead, ask if the price is firm or if there is room for negotiation.
• Don’t say anything that questions the integrity of the dealer, such as, “Is this table really that old?” If you have doubts, a better way to phrase your question is, “What can you tell me about this table?”
• Don’t show up at an antiques shop or booth and ask the seller to appraise an item for you. They’re not appraisers.
• Don’t burn your bridges. If you feel a price is too high and the dealer won’t negotiate, just say it is out of your price range and walk away. Some dealers have “firm only” pricing.
• Don’t insult the dealer by complaining about the quality of his or her merchandise. Antiques dealers know all the nicks, scratches, and flaws on the piece, and an item is normally priced to reflect any obvious flaws.
• A dealer usually knows the level of demand for and the value of an item in the market. If an item doesn’t seem worth the price, don’t buy it.
• If you want more information, don’t be afraid to ask about the style, provenance, age, or anything else about your purchase that piques your curiosity.
• Follow the golden rule of antiquing: Buy what you like when you see it, because it may be gone when you come back.