The rush that comes from scoring something cool at a thrift store quickly fades when you're three hours deep into search engine nonsense. Sure, 15-year-old internet forums might give you a crumb of information, but filling out an online appraisal is a much better use of your time. While most appraisals cost money, there are a handful of free online antique appraisal services you can turn to.
3 Free Online Antique Appraisal Services
At their core, appraisals boil down to experts looking at the stuff you've got and using their experiences to give you a price valuation. With online appraisals, usually you only need to send in clear images and all the information you have about the item(s). From general appraisals to item-specific ones, we've got a variety of options for you to try.
AntiqForum
AntiqForum offers free appraisals for Meissen figures and plates. You'll need to email them with a description of your Meissen item and attach several good images along with your query. They've got an expansive digital collection you may want to explore while you wait for a response.
Indian Territory
Indian Territory by Len Wood specializes in free appraisals of indigenous 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're local or send in images and descriptions by either email or snail mail. The gallery will do three appraisals for free, but after that, they charge $5 per appraisal.
Heritage Auctions
Heritage Auctions is a major American auction house, and they offer free online appraisals for a variety of collectibles. Simply head to their website and fill out their "Tell Us About Your Treasures" form. Upload up to 20 photos so their experts can give you the best valuation possible.
Just because a website advertises that it offers free online antique appraisals doesn't mean you won't get slapped with hidden fees. Double-check the fine print before sending in your pictures to be assessed.
Related: Use Baseball Card Appraisals to Maximize Your Investment
Online Appraisals Have Their Draw Backs
While you can get an idea of what something is worth online, there's no guarantee it'll be 100% accurate. So, it's important to keep a few things in mind as you go through the process.
- Accuracy may vary from service to service. Many experts believe that internet valuations aren't that accurate. Pictures only reveal so much, so it can be hard to glean enough information to get an accurate reading.
- Free appraisals don't include certification. Most insurance companies require a certified appraiser's report before they'll insure an antique, and a free appraisal doesn't include one. If you want certified documentation, you can check with the International Society of Appraisers for an appraiser near you.
- Valuation doesn't equal market value. Don't get overly excited if you receive a high valuation number. It doesn't necessarily correlate to the selling price. As with any item for sale, the value is only what people are willing to pay for it.
Make the Most of Your Antiques
Knowledge is power. So knowing how much your antiques and collectibles are worth, whether it's an errant $2 bill or a massive piece of furniture, is a great way to know which collectibles need to stay stored out of reach and which ones might be worth putting up for sale.
