Make no mistake, residents of the UK love their antiques. Antiques are bought to accentuate homes, to provide exhibits and to improve one's master collection. However, purchasing antiques can be a tricky business. You have to be aware that there are some people in the antique business who simply wish to capitalize on an industry which is growing in popularity. This fact makes buying antiques risky, if you do not know where to start your search. Let's take a look at some ways that you can make sure that your purchases are legitimate.

The first step to selecting a quality antique dealer is research. There are many private collectors and companies who boast of their inventory. However, a well-made website and marketing campaign is not enough to convince savvy antique collectors of their legitimacy. If you are new to purchasing antiques, then you must talk to other antique collectors who have experienced successful transactions in the past. These people can direct you to the dealers who have the most variety, and the best prices. The purchase of antiques occurs with trial and error. Sometimes a poor purchase is made, and the buyer learns from his or her mistake. You should make it a priority to learn from these mistakes as well.

Antiques come in many forms. They include furniture such as chairs, tables and couches. Paintings, pictures and other items are also considered to be antiques. Once you have determined the specific type of antique you're interested in, it is time to make a purchase. One of the best things you can do is take a price from one dealer, and then compare it to another. Although chances are slim that each of the dealers have the same exact piece for sale, you can still determine a fair monetary value for the item through comparison. Take into account the date of manufacture, and then compare items made during that time to your item.

Antique malls are some of the best places to buy the items you are looking for. These malls are similar to flea markets, except they are open year-round. The nice thing about these malls is that you can visit several different vendors to compare pricing options. Since there are so many different vendors in one location, you have access to numerous opportunities to make a great purchase. This allows you to make a well-educated decision before you spend your money.

Once you commit to buying an antique, you need to find out what kind of delivery options are available. If the antique is especially valuable, you may wish for someone else to deliver it to your home professionally. There is nothing worse than spending money on an item, only to see that item break on the way home! Negotiate your price accordingly, as some dealers will charge an extra fee for delivery. However, this one-time fee is certainly worth the money if you wish to keep your investment safe.