Guide to Buying Depression, Elegant and Vintage Glass

Introduction

Depression, Elegant and Vintage glass is a fasciation of mine. I love to go to auctions, flea markets and garage sales just to see what I can find. I am like an old crow when I see something that sparkles I am drawn to it just like a crow to a shiny object. I love the beauty of a good piece of glass, bowls, stemware, dishes and vases anything that is shiny and sparkles under the sunlight. It is my opinion that that best years of the glass making era have been in the past, the "Depression Era", "Elegant" and the years following that time made some of the most beautiful pieces to collect. I don't think I am far from wrong since so many people seem to be collecting patterns from these time periods.

I started Ebay in hopes of making an income that would help me stay home and spend more time with my grandchildren. My love for pretty glass and Ebay went hand and hand. I now had to find the source to supply my Ebay Store, "Magic China Closet". Magic China Closet

Research

I went to my first auction. I never realized how much I had to learn. To start with I needed to learn "Caution". You need to know what is popular and selling and you need mint. Collectors, of course want the best for their collection, you want to sell the best. Before you rush off to your first auction or garage sale let's go over a few things you should know.



Get on your computer and do some research. Ebay is a great place to look for what is selling and of course what is not. In "Search" type in "Depression Glass", "Elegant Glass" or "Vintage Glass" for key words. Or try "Pink, Yellow, Green or Crystal Glass" in your search as keywords (all colors manufactured during what is know as the Depression Era). This is a great way to learn about anything you are thinking of selling on Ebay.

Learn your prices, what is the item selling for. I am surprised what old glass sales for, some very low. I would think high, after all it survived all this time, not always true.

I also learned that it is wise to learn your patterns (some selling better than others) this is a vast field but many of your Depression Era patterns have been put into research books. It would be wise to start a library of research books. This is something you can do slowly, thanks to sites like Ebay. Much of what I learned about patterns came from Ebay and the books followed.

The Auction

Auctions can be fun and a source for items of Depression Era glass. Auctions and Estate sales sometimes may have inexpensive prices for depression, vintage and elegant glass. There are some things to watch out for.

Get to the Auction early, check out their policies, many will not let you out of a winning bid if the item has damage found after you win the item. . So get there early and go over each piece that you are interested in. Don't just look, pick it up with both hands and feel with your finger tips, very carefully for any cracks or chips. Hold the piece up and look. If you are not able to see fine lines well, it would wise to take a magnifying glass.

When the bidding starts try not to get caught up in the excitement remember what your research taught you about what your items may sale for. Stop bidding if it is getting out of the range you can sell your piece for. The guy showing the piece, part of his job is selling you on the item. (look at him as you would a car salesman). Sometimes the family may be at the sale and the piece getting bid out of your range has emotional value for them.



Check your pieces well

Remember your research, the value and what you can make on your item

The Auctioneer researches on Ebay too, but he is looking at profit for him not you

The Auctioneer is a business man, he is not your friend

Stay in your budget, auctions are like gambling, it is so easy to get caught up in the excitement

Some of the bidders may be family and bid the item higher than its value to you, don't go out of your range

Pack your items well, take some large plastic tubs (not very expensive) with you and some newspaper or bed pads to pack your fragile items. Remember collectors want mint items. And wouldn't it be awful to find a beautiful piece over 50 years old and you are the one to break it. Yes, I have done this.

The Garage Sale

Get to the garage sale early if it is one that states having depression glass or vintage glass, you are not the only one looking for these pieces. A few minutes before it starts is good. Please don't bother the poor people having the sale before the time listed in the paper. Here all the above rules apply.



Check your pieces out well

Do not set an item down and think you can walk back and it will be there, hang on to it until you know you do or don't want it

It is alright to ask the Seller if they will take less but be polite and don't think you can set a valuable piece down and walk back and it still be there so bargain with care.

Most folks today have researched their valuables on Ebay too and know what they are worth and what they can get for them always more than you can. People always think what they have is valuable, of course it is something they have valued and loved

It is not always wise to say you sell on Ebay, some people think ebayers make a lot of money. If only they knew it is also hard work

Wrap your item well

One note on selling your items if you are not keeping them for yourself. List the researched item soon. Things change and something that is hot today may not be tomorrow. Be honest in your description, take a lot of good quality pictures and give all the details you can about your item without getting to lengthy. Care and store the glass well and than pack it with care when shipping. Here again it is so sad to be the one that causes a Depression Glass piece older than you are to break.

I hope you will find this guide helpful. Please be sure to vote, so I will know how well I did on this guide.

Thank you for your time,

magichalo1

---

Orignal From: Guide to Buying Depression, Elegant and Vintage Glass