Pam's Antique Clocks

The popularity of the Internet has made the world smaller and ecommerce bigger. eBay, the largest online auction site on the Web, has a huge variety of items for purchase. It has become a favorite browsing site for clock collectors the world over. A clock for sale on eBay could be offered by an individual or an eBay store. Regardless of which, there are several questions a prospective buyer should ask the seller before purchasing.

Before engaging with the seller, the collector should read everything that is written about the clock in the description and examine the photos carefully. It is also important to read customer feedback for this seller as these can lend valuable insight into the seller’s business practices. If the seller has earned a ‘top rated seller’ badge, it is likely that he/she is an honest and forthright businessperson. However, newer sellers will not have been on eBay long enough to earn this honor and may be just as trustworthy. It is not recommended to purchase an expensive item from a seller with absolutely no customer feedback.

After researching the seller’s eBay reputation and examining the viewable details about the clock, the next step is to directly contact the seller. Following is a checklist of suggested questions to ask about the antique clock:

• Ask about the type of wood making up the case and confirm whether it is solid or veneer.
• If decorative elements are present, such as a metal inlay, inquire as to the type of metal and whether the entire inlay is intact.
• It is important to know whether the case finish is original or if it has been restored as this will greatly affect the value of the piece.
• Other things to note are whether the clock has its original crystal and if the manufacturer’s label is present.
• If the seller claims the clock belonged to a celebrity or historical figure, ask if there is documentation to back up this claim.
• If the seller knows who most recently worked on the clock, ask to speak to this person.
• The original movement should be present. If not, the value of an antique clock can drop 80%-90%.
• Finally, inquire as to the seller’s return policy. If the seller guarantee’s authenticity and satisfaction, ask if a written guarantee will be delivered with the clock.

When satisfied with the integrity and depth of information about the timepiece, prepare to bid. Check on the time left for the auction and begin bidding toward the end of auction time. When buyers bid on items early on in an auction, this causes bidding wars and the price can be driven up dramatically. Waiting until the last couple of hours can help a collector make final decisions regarding how much he or she is willing to spend on the piece. eBay can be a fun and fruitful way to shop from home if the collector invests the time to carefully research the process.

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