31 Club Members Travel to Spend a Day with Daryle

Yesterday, I got to do something that I love to do. You see, two of our 31 Club Members, Mary and Ron, traveled from Ohio to Chicago to meet me at the Randolph Street Market Festival (formerly the Chicago Antique Market) and I got to personally help them get started in this fascinating business. For me, nothing's better than helping people get started in a new adventure, helping them improve the quality of their lives, or helping others solve a problem.

What a thrill it was to finally meet Mary and Ron in person. We spent the afternoon browsing the market together, and it gave me the chance to introduce them to the many dealers with whom I’ve built up friendships in our local area. To my delight, they entered into long conversations with many of them. I’m sure a tremendous amount of great information will travel back to Ohio with them.

Mary and Ron got to see the business principles we use at the 31 Club in action when we spotted a Frankoma Trivet priced at $10. I estimated it would bring $20 at auction. I looked at Mary and Ron and said, “Let’s try to do better,” so after introducing ourselves and chit chatting with the dealer, I asked if he would take $5. He hesitated a long while, but finally said yes.

Here is where this becomes important. If you pay $5.00 for an item and you sell it for $10.00, you have doubled your money, which is equivalent to completing one step of the 31 Steps in our club’s “Million Dollar Race. If you paid $5 and sold it for $20, you would have completed two steps. Now Mary and Ron only have 28 Steps left before they can retire on their funds. Remember, if you complete the 31 Steps, you’ll have over 21.5 Million in your account. When we follow the principles I’ve laid out in my book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles and take advantage of your membership in the 31 Club, you’ll be far ahead of the pack, and you won’t be working this business alone without help.

It really doesn't matter what the price of an item is, the principles are always the same. We are aiming to at least double our money from each purchase and keep our profits compounding to fund additional, higher end buys.

The Frankoma Trivet wasn't the only thing we discovered. I spied a 9” Dedham Turkey plate priced at $250 and thought it might be a bargain. After talking to the dealer and finding out he had been in the business for well over 20 years, I decided it was time to make my offer. This was easy for me because the number $125.00 popped into my mind and rolled right off my tongue. The dealer considered this for a while beforel he accepted my offer. As we gathered up our purchase, we agreed to stay in touch, because I am sure we will be doing business together in the future. This was a very informed dealer, and he wanted me to have the opportunity to make a profit, because at $125, he’s apparently made his profit. From a collector, I may get as high as $450 for this plate. So make certain when you go to buy at antique markets, shows, and shops, the dealer knows you’re also a dealer. And don’t forget to bring your business cards.

There’s another reason I write about this dealer. You see, he
gave me his card before we left, but now I can’t find it! I hope he reads this Blog and will contact me.

Later in the day, Mary, Ron and I sat down at a table with three or four other ladies and began talking about antiques and making money, I know you aren’t surprised I’d be talking to whomever was sitting beside us, and that we might even have some new members very soon.

I hope Mary and Ron had as a great a time as I did. I really enjoy spending time with members.

I was also able to see Sally Schwartz, the owner of this fine market, and this gave me the opportunity to express to her how well the market look this year and congratulate her on the large number of dealers she’s attracted.

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Adventures in Antiquing: Chicago's Randolph St. Market Festival

Chanel Black Leather Classic Quilted Handbag is offered at Ladybag International for $2,100.

I have told you in the past that one of the greatest pluses in the Antique and Fine Art Business is sharing great things with your friends, meeting interesting people and forming relationships. Cindy and I were able to do just that yesterday, when Sally, a 31 Club Member and owner of the Randolph Street Market Festival, (formerly the Chicago Antique Market) invited us to visit the market. It was like going home. The difference between this market from last year is that it’s much larger and better attended. In fact, the parking lot where we usually parked the car is now filled with dealers.

With the band playing, the food sizzling, and a colorful array of urban dwellers in attendance, you could feel the energy and excitement at this market located in the heart of Chicago. Where are those who stated the Antique, Fine Art and Collectibles markets were over? Booths were filled, and customers were buying. Sally and Sarah were as busy as bees, which was no surprise to me.

But, let’s talk about what the dealers were offering. First, we ran across Doris and Mike, who had an assortment of the best Bakelite Jewelry you will ever see, as usual. But, it looked to me as if they’d expanded their Indian Jewelry and Pottery selections.

Next we spoke with a gentleman who does furniture refinishing, and he shared that his business has been so brisk that he’s booked through the end of the year. I was so please when he shared with Cindy and me what our book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles, has meant to him. He told us that he read it all in one day. I hope to have him serve as one of our experts on furniture, and hopefully you will see his company logo on our site soon.

If you know Chicago, you know the weather can suddenly change, and change it sure did. A warm sunny day suddenly turned into a chilly rainstorm. While the outdoor vendors covered up their wares, the indoor market, inside the historical Plumber’s Building, was going strong.

Cindy quickly made her way over to say hello and chat with Adrienne Astrologo of Ladybag International. Last summer, our booth was right across from Adrienne’s eye opening collection of vintage designer handbags, and Cindy spent a good deal of time chatting and looking at Adrienne’s collection. Little did she know at the time that Ladybag International is the largest and best known dealer of vintage designer handbags world wide.

This collection of vintage designer handbags has some of the finest examples from the1960’s to present. There was a large collection of Chanel, Hermes, Gucci, and many more sought after vintage bags all in excellent condition. Cindy dragged me over to take a look at a Judith Leiber, made with Swarovski Crystal, that was hidden away. Wow! Handbags is something I'm not too familiar with, as you can probably guess, and when Cindy told me some of the asking prices on these vintage treasures, I suffered a case of sticker shock for a while after that.

Adrienne’s book, High Fashion Handbags, published through Shiffer Collector Books last November, was displayed, so Cindy had a chance to go through it. Cindy tells me that this is one fabulous book. Adrienne Astrologo proves me wrong in one way. I’ve said that you can’t be a one way dealer, but she is the rare exception.

Before we headed back, I managed to pick up a small oil painting in an antique gold gilded frame and a watercolor painting that I've already researched. I believe the watercolor is the work of an English artist who I've already located and e-mailed to see if it is, in fact, her work.

I was a little disappointed I didn’t see the Children’s Collector’s Club this year, and I do hope it will be revived. We are going to need the young to assure future appreciation and success for all the Antique and Collectible business. I hope to talk with Sally and offer to support this activity at the Market.

I am still asking our readers for suggestions on possible subjects to write about in the blog. This is one way I can answer your questions and share information with other readers that could be vital to them.

Put a Turbo Charge on your Antique & Collectible Treasure Hunting Skills. Join Daryle Lambert's 31 Club.

Get FREE MENTORING. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets that help you increase your profits. Then Learn to Grow Your Money Exponentially Buying and Selling only Antiques, Fine Art, and Collectibles with Daryle's Strategic Business Plan. Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Dealers, making more money than they thought possible. Join Daryle Lambert's 31 Club, today.

My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. Join Today!

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Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.

Summer Antique Markets and Flea Markets

Cindy and I will be attending the first antique market for us this summer; the Randolph Street Market Festival, formerly the Chicago Antique Market. If Cindy can get our new video camera operating right, we hope to have some video to share with you of our adventure at this urban market and festival, including a visit with Sally Schwartz, who owns the event.

If you’ve been following our blog, you might recall that Sally is a member of 31 Club, and last summer, she sold a valuable Pauline Palmer Painting that had been in her family, and its six digit figure sale changed her life. She was able to buy out her partner’s share of the Chicago Antique Market and make it her own. (Here's the story Cindy wrote about it.) We sure hope that if you’re in Chicago this summer, you’ll pay a visit to this fine summer urban market.

This visit to the market will give Cindy and me a chance to reacquaint ourselves with the new dealers we met last summer, as well as a chance to visit with old friends.

I have been assured that there will be great paintings, pottery and glass, so you know I will be feeling as if I’m near heaven as I browse around inside and out for true treasures. Sally has wanted to create an atmosphere of a Paris Festival, and with her talent, I certain it will be just that.

Remember to take your time as you approach each booth at a market or flea market, and see if you can pick out the better pieces from a distance. As you practice, you will be able to eye the items that are of interest, and the other items will quickly pass from your eyesight. When I started attending Flea Markets, it was an all day job, but today I can usually complete a market in under four hours, regardless of its size.

When you do spot something of interest, be sure to inspect it for damage first, and then ask the dealer to tell you all he knows about the piece. Often, you will know as much as he does, but be sure to be attentive. If it happens to be something you want to buy, your attentiveness will start you out on his good side.

Before you start negotiating for anything, always identify yourself as a dealer. This usually assures you of at least a 25% discount, while the normal discount to the public is 10%. Other dealers know that you must be able to make a profit from the items you buy, so most of them will work with you. If for some reason you can't come to an agreement on price, be sure to return later. If the item is still there, take another pass at it. If the pieces is over priced, most dealers will know that you are aware of this, and a 50% discount can be in the cards and may well be accepted.

The later in the day, or later into the event, the lower your price should be. The reason for this is that if you are the first to see a special piece, then the dealer could have it underpriced so a very little discount could be in order, but as the sale progresses more and more people will have looked at the piece, so at the asking price it probably isn't a bargain, if they have passed on it.

I will be leaving for the Smokies next Thursday, so I hope that every member will use these next few days to prepare for the ten days I will be away. Yes, I will have my cell phone for you if that special items becomes available, and I’ll have a laptop to continue the Blogs, but I do hope to rest a little and have fun with the family.

Put a Turbo Charge on your Antique & Collectible Treasure Hunting Skills. Join Daryle Lambert's 31 Club.

Get FREE MENTORING. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets that help you increase your profits. Then Learn to Grow Your Money Exponentially Buying and Selling only Antiques, Fine Art, and Collectibles with Daryle's Strategic Business Plan. Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Dealers, making more money than they thought possible. Join Daryle Lambert's 31 Club, today.

My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. Join Today!

WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT! You can sign in "Anonymous."

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