Free Antique Appraisal

A Word of Caution

Although many legitimate antique appraisers offer free appraisal services, unscrupulous antique dealers advertise free appraisals services with hopes of acquiring items at far below their actual value. These dealers will then offer to buy the items at a low price so they can add them to their stock for resale with the intention of making a high profit. Unethical practices that some dealers use to purchase antiques far below their value include:

• Showing disinterest in an item that the dealer knows is valuable.
• Verbally appraising the item and undervaluing it.
• Offering to purchase a group of items for one flat fee without letting the seller know there are items of higher value in the lot.

Anyone can claim to be an antique appraiser and offer appraisal services since there is not any official licensing required. However, only accredited appraisers are required to act in an ethical manner and they are held to the professional code of appraisal standards. Ethical antique appraisers should provide an appraised value acting as independent appraisers. If they are a dealer/appraiser and are interested in purchasing an item, they are required by the ethical code of conduct to still act as an independent and disinterested party. This is because many antique dealers are also accredited appraisers. These dealers/appraisers are required to disclose their interest in the item before they begin the appraisal.

Honest and Ethical Free Antique Appraisals

There are many honest and ethical antique appraisers that do offer free appraisal services, ranging from the well-known television show Antiques Roadshow to a local historical society or woman’s group hosting a special event fundraiser featuring an accredited local antiques appraiser.

Free Appraisals by TW Conroy

Many accredited appraisers, such as TW Conroy of Baldwinsville, New York, offer free verbal appraisal services. Mr. Conroy, a nationally certified appraiser, offers his services as a form of goodwill to the community and will appraise up to three items for no fee. Free appraisals are offered every Thursday from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. with a scheduled appointment time. Many people that take advantage of services such as this are often curious about the value, origin and age of a treasured family heirloom or something they found at a garage sale or thrift store. They are not interested in having written appraisal documents at that time. Also offered are free e-mail appraisal services for those that are unable to bring their items to Mr. Conroy’s gallery. Mr. Conroy has performed appraisals for clients that include:

• The Federal Bureau of Investigations
• The New York State Police
• Universities
• Fine Arts museums
• National and local law firms

Finding Certified Appraisers That Offer Free Appraisals of Antiques

Locating accredited appraisers that offer free appraisal services may seem like a difficult task. However, it is easier than it may seem. The following are suggestions for locating these services.

• Call auctioneers and antique dealers in your area and ask them if they know of accredited antique appraisers that offer free verbal appraisals. An excellent example of this occurred when the CEO of Copley Fine Arts, Stephen O’Brien, appeared at the Ohio Decoyed and Wildlife Show and gave away free appraisals of decoys.
• Attend or call the antique shows and events to see if they have guest appraisers.
• Check sites such as iTaggit for information they have on upcoming free appraisals.

Free Appraisals at Lectures and Community Events

Appraisers such as the famous television personality Dr. Lori, schedule lecture series throughout the United States at community events that are fun and informative. Everyone attending Dr. Lori’s lectures, called What’s It Worth is entitled to one free verbal appraisal. Attendees can pay a nominal fee for additional verbal appraisals. Dr. Lori’s lecture schedule can be viewed by clicking here.

There are several ways to find community lectures and events that may offer free appraisal services including:

• Checking community newspapers, libraries and bulletin boards
• Contacting local historical associations and groups
• Contacting local collector’s associations and societies
• Searching free antique appraisals are an excellent way to find the value of your possessions but use caution if the appraiser offers to purchase them.

Antiques Roadshow Tour Schedule

Attending a live Antiques Roadshow event is an exciting way to have your item appraised free. The appraisers on this show volunteer their time and Antique Roadshow does not buy or recommend anyone to buy the items they appraise. The expert appraisers give verbal approximations of the value of the item brought to them. They also base values for different venues including:

• At auction
• For insurance purposes
• Retail value

Generally, the show hosts six live events each year with the schedule posted on the PBS website.

Final Thoughts

Free antique appraisals are excellent tools to find out the value of your items. It is always best to have two or more appraisals done at different times by different appraisers when getting free appraisals. Check to make sure that the appraiser you are using is accredited and beware of appraisers that offer to buy your antiques.