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New Year Outlook for Antiques

Posted by David Harvey, Saturday 22 January 2011

Our stand at the NEC Fair January 2011

Although it is cold and rather grey outside, the fire is crackling and spitting in the hearth and the cat is elegantly curled in front of it. On top of all that we have returned from the National Antiques Fair at the NEC with less stock than we went with. After Christmas and the New Year when we were able to enjoy a brief rest, this was an opportunity for us to come out of the starting blocks at speed at the NEC. This has always been a good show for Harvey's and this year has been no exception. Several fine items were sold during the week of the fair and others have been negotiated since. Once again it shows that the best quality is still selling. One very important fact was that most of these sales were to new clients which of course bodes extremely well for the future. All in all, a great start to 2011.

So what about the New Year? There are plenty of opportunities provided one is prepared to be flexible. The secret is to provide great value. It would be simplistic to say that price is not important because it is. Value, however is more important. There were numerous occasions at the NEC when visitors enquired the price of an item only to respond "That's not expensive - I expected it to cost more." You may be aware there has been a major price adjustment over the past couple of years and this has led recently to articles in several national newspapers claiming that now is a very good time to buy Antique Furniture. The "feel good" factor is another vital ingredient for a prosperous Antiques Market. Many of the doom laden prophecies of the past 2 year, both financial and political, have been proven unfounded and there are signs of returning confidence at many levels. There has been a distinct rise in the numbers of people coming into the shop and that is always a good indicator.

Whilst it is true that there is a shortage of fine pieces coming onto the market, we have been able to purchase very good examples at less than we would have paid some years ago and are happy to reflect this in negotiating with clients. You might also be surprised at the prices we are currently able to quote. I was bought up to believe that if you don't ask, you don't get.

I feel robustly optimistic about 2011 and look forward to an exciting year.

With very best wishes,

David

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