Thursday, May 1, 2008

News of Economic Downturn Finally Hits Mainstream Media


Yesterday, Cindy sent me an America Online story link that came up as a featured AOL News story. “People Sell Belongings to Make Ends Meet,” was the AOL story in which Associated Press writer, Anne D’Innocenzio states, “Struggling with mounting debt and rising prices, faced with the toughest economic times since the early 1990s, Americans are selling prized possessions online and at flea markets at alarming rates.” I scratched my head and said, "Hmmmmm."

Later in the day, Kovels’ Komments Newsletter showed up in my mailbox. While the Kovels’ are not part of the mainstream press, they are a recognized authority in our industry, and in their newsletter, they acknowledged “The economic downturn has created new sources for antiques and collectibles.” I scratched my head and said, “Hmmmmm.”

Yesterday was April 30th. Didn’t I post a story back on April 18th about the economic downturn and its likely effect on the Antique & Collectible industry as well as its effect on family life? Yes, I did. It's titled, “Inflationary Times Good for Antique Dealers, Collectors and Families,” and it’s been all over the Internet. Could it be I was ahead of the mainstream call?

Then, Cindy reminded me that we made economic commentary on our April 15th Blog when I stated (and I’m quoting myself here) “Timing is everything, and right now the time is right to be buying at bargain prices. At times like these, when people are stricken with fear, and the market fluctuates, we’ll be able to make our best purchases.” I also wrote in that same article, “It is likely that those who feel weary with our economy will likely sell their better items.” Hmmmmmm.

I’m flattered that others would follow our lead and be in agreement that these are going to be some hard times for people. Yet, at the same time, it will be the best of times for people in the Antiques & Collectibles Industry. The signs of it have already emerged, and Cindy is busy putting together a 31 Club Newsletter that will soon go out to our members about this very topic. If your 31 Club can continue to stay ahead of the pack, then we'll able to fill our coffers before others get started, won’t we?

Today, I’ve decided to post my April 18th article, with its link, as today’s Blog entry:

Inflationary Times Good for Antique Dealers, Collectors and Families
Daryle Lambert

With news of inflation heading in an upward direction in energy and food, is anyone really at all surprised? My family has been feeling it for almost a year now. When the newscasters give us the latest figures, do they truly believe we need them to announce it to us? We all go to the grocery store and the gas station and can put two and two together. We know there’s inflation, but this period of time might be just what's needed to revitalize our families, as well as the Antique and Collectible Markets.

When money is tight, families will likely spend more time together cleaning out their houses of unwanted junk, and be especially on the lookout for items that might be of value. We’ll probably see an increase in the number of garage sales and an increase in items coming up for sale at auction houses. Isn't this just what we need? I believe this period of time will be like a child going into a candy store. There will be all sorts of candy for us to choose from, and the knowledgeable antique dealer will always spot the best. Our goal at the 31 Club is to make our members one of the best. For those of us who want to make money selling antiques, collectibles and fine art, the time couldn't be better. The weather is improving, and soon the kids will be out of school. Be sure to include them in your treasure hunting plans because all the children that I've run across enjoy going to sales. Often my children have pointed me in the direction of some real treasures.

Aside from these upcoming hard times being good for those of us in the antiques industry, I believe it will be a good time for family. When a family’s gasoline bill out paces their mortgage payment, it makes sense people will be spending more time in their homes with family and friends rather than running all over the country looking for fun, dining and entertainment. We’re likely to go through a period of nesting, as the cost of going out for a simple hamburger will likely cost more than some are willing to spend. Eating at home may become a necessity rather than a chore. Driving around the block a couple of times just to clear our heads could cost you big on gas, so we just might have to head down to the basement and begin working at that workbench we forgot we owned in order to clear our heads. Maybe at that workbench, we’ll be able to construct a toy for our kids, or teach our children something about building.

Days of reading together, cooking together, enjoying family meals while discussing the day’s events, watching educational television and family shows together might just be a great remedy for what seems to ail us. We might even find that walking together after dinner and getting to know our neighbors could bring us amazing joy. Imagine that!

Rather than finding it necessary to continually looking for entertainment outside the home, the hike in prices can produce interest in family events and the sharing of common interests again and again. Like Collecting. Collecting is likely to become more popular, and from this interest, groups will be formed and deeper relationships forged.

Parents might even participate with their children, once again, in hobbies such as stamp and coin collecting. Some of my greatest joys are now coming from talking with my nine-year-old son about Show Globes, Foreign Coins, Webkinz and Nascar. This is a great way for us to spend a quality afternoon or weekend. Many people were writing off the Antique and Collectible business, concerned that there were no new collectors, and that the youngsters had no interest in anything that didn’t scream high tech. But, this tightening of the family budget may produce the next crop of antique and art collectors.

If this sounds like what goes on in the town of Mayberry, and Andy and Aunt Bea might be stopping over momentarily with a delicious out-of-the-oven apple pie to share with you,would that really be all so bad?

I truly believe that in addition to being good for the Antique and Collectible Business, the hard times ahead can be good for our families. By staying home and working together, money is saved and a real sense of joy and pleasure will return to our homes once more. No longer will we have to settle for the artificial pleasure that the world had convinced us we couldn't live without.

These times seem to be returning, not by choice, but out of necessity. These changes in our lifestyle may leave us with withdrawal symptoms for a while, but in truth, it might be just what we need to get our sanity back. When we do, I’m guessing we’ll feel like we’ve found heaven on earth. When you get off a spinning merry-go-round, it’s often very difficult to keep your balance. But once we keep our feet planted firmly for awhile, it sure is going to feel great. What a great time this can be to reflect upon, and see through clear eyes, what a wonderful and magnificent world God created. And just maybe we'll find some good antiques, too.

Stay ahead of the times and get there before the crowd. Join 31 Club today. Can you get FREE MENTORING anywhere else but here?

Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Make high profits and learn to grow your money buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles with the strategized plan found in my 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles. It's FREE with your membership.

LINKS:


AOL Article
People Sell Belongings to Make Ends Meet
http://news.aol.com/story/_a/people-sell-belongings-to-make-ends-meet/20080430090909990001

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