Champagne taste on a …….
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I have a vice (ok, ok, vices, but we’ll stick to one for now) I LOVE beautiful things; the more original, culturally rich, and antique, the better. Of course such things come at a premium price - unless you develop an eye, are a little handy, and know where to look.
Absolute lack of funds is a good motivating factor as well.
The picture above is a rather typical tableaux in the Siebert household - Zoe (a rescue cat) sleeps atop a hand tooled copper platter from India on a table covered with a hand woven wool Persian Sumak rug. Behind her is a framed (genuine) 19th century Japanese woodblock print, tucked in the frame is a period postcard of Moulin Rouge Paris c. the late 1800’s. Hidden behind Zoe’s posterior is a wood reproduction Tibetan buddhist mask.
ALL of these items were bought at rock bottom prices.
When Claus and I bought our small Cape Cod home in 1997 and moved in, the house was mostly empty and we simply couldn’t go hog wild with shopping. Bare floors and empty walls stared at us. But, no fear! Ebay and thrift stores to the rescue!
Thrift stores are more hit and miss, though I’ve found some real treasures there; an antique Victorian clawfoot sofa for $200, and an antique mahogany dining table for $30 are two that come to mind. The sofa had the ugliest floral upholstery imaginable. I reupholstered it myself in $8 per yard deep purple brushed corduroy . The table had been an unfinished project - someone had stripped it and given up. I finished it and gold leafed the wonderful molded edge. I found 4 matching chairs at another thrift store for $25 each.
However, Ebay has been the best boon. Loving Chinese antique furniture, I searched to see if there were any sellers withing driving distance that allowed free pickup (shipping furniture is very expensive) . Bingo, I found 2 sellers and I became the Chinese furniture Ebay vulture, waiting for the juicy tidbits that others missed. As a result I was able to fill my house with some beautiful pieces; a double bed with hand carved headboard, no less than 3 antique and vintage carved cabinets, a glorious red bookcase with glass doors, a coat rack, plus various smaller cabinets, tables and benches. I never paid more than $250 for anything and the vast majority of furniture pieces were under $100. I’ve also covered my floors with some wonderful Persian rugs, and my walls with original art.
The trick to this kind of shopping on Ebay is learning how to search and follow the auctions. a few tips;
- Learn how to perform an effective search. Ebay’s search engine (like Google’s) employs Boolean logic - which may sound complex but it really isn’t. Ebay has a help file that is currently HERE that will get you started.
- Use Ebay’s “save search” function. Use this to target things you really, REALLY want and just can’t afford. Set up the search to email you when an item comes for sale. Use this only for items you get few search results for or your email will be swamped. With patience you will eventually likely get what you want. Some items I’ve lucked on after years, some I’ve won auctions on in a few weeks.
- Get a software program to help you track your auctions. I use AuctionTamer, and it has worked great for me.
- Use a sniping service. This enables you to set up bids in advance, even though they aren’t placed until the last seconds of the auction. I use Auction Stealer and it has been very reliable. It also integrates with the AuctionTamer software. This has been the absolute best tool to getting real treasures on Ebay. I know that some people consider sniping as unfair, however I feel that if I bid early I am just bidding myself out of my league. I would never bid until auction close anyway. Who has the time to hang around their computer at all hours catching the end of auctions??
The above tips are just a basic introduction. Curiosity (and of course lack of available cash) is a very good teacher. Remember - search, watch & wait. Patience will reward you with some wonderful treasures. Enjoy!
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