Unsolicited Advice to Antique and Collectible Sellers and Exhibitors

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The other day, I visited an antique mall, to look for mineral specimens (which I collect), and other targets of opportunity.

I'm no expert on product placement of inventory, but, as a buyer, I do pick and choose where I will spend my time looking, especially in large antique malls with hundreds of booths vying for my attention; my time and energy are limited.

As I browsed, I noted some general observations about what sellers can do to make their spaces more appealing to buyers:

Make sure that you tag everything with readable prices (large numbers in black ink) and correct descriptions. Don't misrepresent your items; if you don't know, please don't guess. Either do your research or price accordingly.

Price your items right; many buyers are savvy about value, and if they see that your prices tend to be higher than reasonable wholesale, they will walk and go to the next booth. These days, you have plenty of competition, including bricks and mortar thrift shops, where prices are dirt cheap and astounding treasures can be found, and online stores, such as eBay and Craig's List.

Old, faded tags tell me that your item is priced way too high. If you really want to sell it, mark it down.

Be willing to dicker (leave your mobile number on file with the mall proprietor who can then call you when a customer wants to make a deal) and be willing to keep an open mind.

If your items are kept in locked display cases, make sure that your price tags are turned upward and clearly visible. There is nothing more irritating than not being able to see a price. Unless I'm seriously drooling over an item, I am not likely to ask the clerk, who is often alone at the front counter, to open the case.

Place themed items together. For example, while you may not be offering just Disneyana, you may want to dedicate one or more shelves to just your Disney items. Many potential buyers collect specific kinds of items (Teddy bears) or collectible labels (Beanie Babies), so make their browsing experience easier.

It's okay to dedicate your entire space to one kind of item, such as Coca Cola collectibles or rock specimens. While you will enjoy fewer casual browsers, theme collectors are serious buyers and will spend more time in your space. On the other hand, don't expect every shopper to stop by your booth. No way will I waste my time looking at shelf after shelf of old dishes, but others will, so it's a trade off.

Keep small, expensive items, such as jewelry, in a locked display case. If larger items are valuable, consider placing them under lock and key as well, but you probably don't need to worry about a chest of drawers being pilfered.

Keep your space tidy and clean, and don't overload it with inventory. If I want to comb through junk, I can do that in the bargain bin at the thrift store. When I go to an antique mall, I want to look through organized inventory and easily accessible items. In this case, less is better; create a sense of space--your items should be displayed in a manner that makes them look special and worth the price you are asking.

Dress up your space, perhaps according to theme or season. However, label your "not-for-sale" display items accordingly. A buyer might make an offer anyway, so be open minded and friendly. Recently, at a mineral show, I made an offer on a wood-carved hand/forearm; the seller was displaying necklaces on it. I thought it would be useful for storing and showing off my own necklaces and bracelets. The seller accepted my offer, and I ended up with a useful item and an unusual piece of art from Africa.

Some additional thoughts about about antique shows, where you and your employees will be working directly with customers:

Keep in mind that your customers have paid an admission fee; therefore, treat them with respect. If you ignore me or are surly, I am not likely to visit your shop, and I will be sure to tell others about your snooty and rude behavior.

Don't judge customers by the way they dress. Some attendees like to dress comfortably, especially when they decide to spend an entire day at an antique show, often held in large convention centers with concrete floors. That bearded blue-jeaned hippie in sneakers might be sitting on a 200-million-dollar trust fund. In short, treat a customer as if she or he is about drop a thousand bucks.

If someone asks a question about something related to your field, be friendly and helpful. If you don't know the answer to the question, just be polite and say you don't know and offer a good source or two that might hold some answers.

True story: I stopped going to a very popular antique show that occurs twice a year in my area because most of the sellers were surly and rude to customers. I overheard two of them lamenting the lack of business; I wanted to pipe up and tell them my take on their slow sales, but why bother? Potential attendees won't tell a seller or show promoter, "You're being rude, so I'm not coming back." Instead, they will vote with their feet and dollars.

There may be other considerations that I may have missed, but my suggestions are based on the "do unto others" rule. As a customer, I am polite and respectful to sellers, and I hope for the same from my sellers.

On my recent foray, I didn't find any mineral specimens, but I did buy a $3.00 cerrobend hexagon paperweight. I passed on a pretty stone necklace that was, quite frankly, way overpriced and not that special.

On the other hand, the cerrobend paperweight passed my three-pronged serendipity test:

1. I like it; it is different from anything I have ever seen.

2. It has a mark ("Cerro Bend"), which makes it easier to research, and

3. It was cheap, so it was worth the risk.

Happy selling!
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Advice to U.S. Citizens Regarding President Obama

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Now almost a week after the Presidential Inauguration, U.S. citizens need to consider how they will navigate an Obama presidency.

A week ago, Aunt Savvy offered advice to President Obama; now, U.S. citizens, it's your turn. She offers three categories of advice: To (1) "The One" Advocates; (2) "The Middletons," those who may have offered lukewarm support to either Obama or McCain during the election, but who have decided to stand behind our president, albeit with open eyes; and (3) "Not the One" Detractors who plan to crawl into a big hole until 2012 or 2016.

Aunt Savvy Disclaimer: she is an avid Barack Obama supporter, so this advice pertains to her as well, mostly under the first category as she tries to dip into category two.

"The One" Advocates

With all due respect to Oprah (who seems to be the one who coined "The One" as it pertains to President Obama), those who fall into this category need to take off their blinders.

Aunt Savvy is convinced that while this intelligent and thoughtful president has the best of intentions, he will make mistakes. BIG ones. It comes with the job. He will also make GREAT decisions, but know the difference, and be prepared to take the President to task for his fumbles.

Contrary to popular belief, President Obama does not walk on water. He is not God, but a human being subject to human frailty. Also, he is likely to enact legislation you might not like; you're not going to agree with every decision he makes, nor should you. In fact, it would be dangerous if a majority turned a blind eye if a charismatic leader turned bad.

As citizens, we should retain and even embrace our watchdog privilege.

Although it might be tempting to refer to President Obama as our African-American president, keep in mind that he represents ALL Americans. Thus, if he makes a decision that seems to "go against" African-American issues, please remember that he is trying to make the best decisions for the country as a whole.

If "The One" disappoints you (and he will), don't blindly turn against him; allow him to make his mistakes, and, most important, learn to forgive. Remember: we are often most hurt by the people we adore the most.

Don't automatically dismiss all conservatives; they are not wrong all of the time or even most of the time. Listen to some of the more moderate conservatives--they offer some good talking points.

Avoid Bloviators from either the far left or the far right. Talk radio and newspapers are full of "haters," those who hate just for the sake of demonizing "the other side."

If you slip into The Middletons category, that is not necessarily a bad thing, unless you're Michelle Obama or other Obama family member. That simply means that you have become more realistic in your expectations.

The Middletons

You are already doing the right things because you have decided to give our new president a chance to prove himself and support him, at least for now.

If you voted for President Obama, you did so with some reluctance. In the end, you may have felt that of two choices, he offered the best possibility for success. Or maybe your vote was more "against" the Republicans than "for" Obama. In any case, your support was waffly.

If you voted for Senator John McCain, it wasn't because you disliked Obama; maybe you just felt Obama was too inexperienced or that the Republicans (without George Bush) offered the best hope for this country. Now, however, you are willing to make the best of the situation by giving the President a chance to prove himself.

Good for you; you, as a Middleton, have an opportunity to make a difference and keep an eye on this administration with an open mind. You're the ones your legislators will take seriously because YOU are likely to decide the presidency in 2012.

Important: keep in touch with your legislators and your local press about the issues closest to you, but do so in a respectful and intelligent manner. SIGN your letters; your words will have more clout if you stand behind them.

Avoid Bloviators from either the far left or the far right. Talk radio and newspapers are full of "haters," those who hate just for the sake of demonizing "the other side."

"Not the One" Detractors

Okay, you didn't vote for President Obama, and you will never like Democrats, especially liberals. What is more, you dislike President Obama, and the idea of supporting him makes you sick on your stomach. (Aunt Savvy understands that feeling; 2001-2008 were difficult years for her.)

However, the next four years are likely to be better for you if decide to give our president a fighting chance to prove himself. He WILL do some things right; just keep your ears open, and don't assume that every utterance is against conservatives.

Don't assume that every piece of legislation is going to hurt conservatives; do your research.

Although it might be tempting to refer to President Obama as an African-American president, keep in mind that he represents ALL Americans. Thus, if he makes a decision that seems to "go against" your ethnic group, please remember that he is trying to make the best decisions for the country as a whole.

Choose your battles; write your legislators and your local press about the issues closest to you, but do so in a respectful and intelligent manner. SIGN your letters; your words will have more clout if you stand behind them. If you feel uncomfortable signing your letters, rewrite until you do. Otherwise, you're just blowing hot air, and no one will take you seriously.

Don't automatically dismiss all liberals; they are not wrong all of the time or even most of the time. Listen to some of the more moderate liberals--they can offer some good talking points.

Avoid Bloviators from either the far left or the far right. Talk radio and newspapers are full of "haters," those who hate just for the sake of demonizing "the other side."

In summary, be prepared to support the presidency as much as you can; however, do pay attention to President Barack Obama's policies and how he enacts them.

Most important, stay informed.
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Unsolicited Advice: Public Body Odor

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So when Aunt Savvy was about ten years old, her grandmother pointed directly at her and announced (in front of a roomful of company):


"You STINK!"
Alas, it was true. It was mid-July in the sultry Midwest, and young Aunt Savvy stunk to high heaven. Being at an age when a dab of deodorant would have done wonders in keeping the living room aroma-free, Aunt Savvy had decided she did NOT need such grown-up foolishness.

The terse announcement was a room stopper, as all eyes drilled on the girl with the sopping half circles under her arms.

That public humiliation was enough to send this youngster running for the Secret roll-on. From that day onward, Aunt Savvy never failed to add those daily dabs to the pits.

Fast forward to present day: recently, Aunt Savvy was shopping in Big Box Store, going about her business when, suddenly, she caught a whiff of something distinctly unpleasant.

She looked around: no one but her and her significant other for at least three aisles. Aunt Savvy was pretty sure they had both showered that day...

Besides, the odor was more than just a little sweat; it was the aroma of, well, bodily fluids and solids, mixed with unwashed body and sweat.

The smell was beginning to permeate throughout the store.

As Aunt Savvy left the store, she discovered the source of the odor: a woman with greasy, stringy hair and dirty clothes. By this time, the odor was so bad that Aunt Savvy was tempted to pinch her nose; this was the smell of the great unwashed, years and years of avoiding soap and water. This wasn't a case of working out or working out in the fields and not being able to shower before hitting the store to buy a computer.

No. This smell was pungent and skunk-like, deeply ingrained, a part of the woman's every fiber, and it left an awful trail, straight to Aunt Savvy's nose.

The woman's family was with her and did not seem to notice a thing (???). Meanwhile, Aunt Savvy was gagging. She wanted to tap the woman on the shoulder and say,


"You STINK!"
Of course, etiquette demands that one does not call out unpleasant facts to strangers.

So Aunt Savvy will offer her some unsolicited advice here:

Take regular showers or baths and use plenty of soap and water. Scrub. It doesn't haven't to be daily ritual, but part of a regular routine--at least every other day. Not only will you feel better, but so will everyone around you; your loved ones deserve that from you. Heck, the PUBLIC deserves NOT having to smell you three aisles away.

We live in a culture where certain bodily odors are offensive; you can get away with a little sweat or the smell of automotive grease. People understand that working people cannot always get home to shower before hitting the store--they understand that those are the smells of honest and hard labor.

But you, anonymous lady, are simply stinky and offensive. You smell of pee and poo and layered grime and grit--there is no use sugarcoating it.

Aunt Savvy does not wish to be cruel; she genuinely feels sorry for you and understands that you do not intentionally mean to assault her nose, but you have failed miserably in the art of social graces when you refuse to wash your body properly.

To the lady's family: it is clear that your loved one needs some kind of psychological counseling; the woman's lack of cleanliness suggests a deep-rooted problem of some kind, way beyond your and Aunt Savvy's milieu. In our culture, it is not acceptable to present, in public, one's self in such a distasteful state. An intervention of some kind would be in order.

Seriously.

We are way past the era when homemade lye soap and the Saturday night bath (whether you need it or not) are all you need to navigate polite (and even impolite) company.

Loved ones: please help her. She sorely needs it.

Please help the public.
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