Where to Get Free Antique Appraisals Online
Getting free antique appraisals online is easier than you may think. It allows you to identify and evaluate your favorite antiques without spending money on a professional appraisal. You can find many free appraisal services online, and with an accurate description and good photos of your piece, you may be able to obtain the appraisal you seek.
Websites That Offer Free Antique Appraisals
It isn't difficult to find free appraisals online, and it may be a good idea to submit your item to two or three appraisers to see what, if any, differences in price range occur. Always look over any site you choose and make sure that there aren't hidden fees. Be sure that you understand exactly what you are getting before you get the appraisal.
Country Living
Country Living magazine has a free online appraisal program that is probably one of the more trustworthy free appraisal sites on the Internet. Expert Helaine Fendelman uses her 30 years of appraisal experience to give you a detailed appraisal. You can also search through past appraisals to see if there is an item similar to yours that has all ready been appraised. Each item on the site has images and a detailed description.
InstaAppraisal
InstaAppraisal is a free site where you can submit your item and questions and they will be answered by the community (other readers) as well as the site's antiques experts. You can also interact by giving your own opinions on others' antiques.
Appraisal Day
Appraisal Day is a website where appraiser, Paul Royka, appraises antiques for free. Paul has appraised items for Antiques Roadshow as well as written books about antiques. The site also provides a referral service.
Don Presley Auctions
Don Presley Auctions has a free appraisal service. You will need to have a few images of your item that you can upload and then you will be asked several questions about your item. You should answer these with as much detail as possible to ensure the most accurate evaluation.
AntiqForum
AntiqForum offers free appraisals for Meissen figures and plates. You will need to email them with a description of your Meissen item and attach several good images with your inquiry.
Indian Territory
Indian Territory by Len Wood specializes in free appraisals of Native American art and artifacts. This is a family owned and operated gallery. The brick and mortar shop has been located in Laguna Beach, California since 1968. You can bring your items to the gallery if you are local or send in images and descriptions by email or snail mail. The gallery will do three appraisals for free but after that they charge $5.00 per appraisal.
Lita Kaye
Lita Kaye is located in the U.K. and gives free appraisals in as little as 24 hours. You will need to register with the site before an appraisal can be done.
Online Appraisal Cautions
It is important to note that most insurance companies require a certified appraisers' report before they will insure an antique.
Most experts agree that getting a free appraisal on the Internet is not usually very accurate. There are a lot of details that the appraiser won't be able to see without examining the item personally and you won't really know that the appraiser is truly an expert in his field.
You should also be aware that most insurance companies require a certified appraisers' report before they will insure an antique. If you find that you need a professional you can check with the International Society of Appraisers for a member near you.
If you just want and estimate of an item's value for your own purposes you will find that online appraisals are very convenient and usually reflect current prices fairly accurately.
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