Hello! This is reuse select shop Fynd. We regularly share the charm of antique and vintage furniture, but today we would like to talk about a special theme.
Many people may be wondering, "Is the chest of drawers that I inherited from my grandmother actually worth something?" or "How much is that old table that I've been using for so many years worth?"
In the past, you had to visit a specialty store, but now we live in an era where you can easily get an appraisal online. This time, we will introduce the online appraisal service for antique furniture in detail.
《What is online appraisal? 》
Online appraisal is a service where you can send photos and detailed information of your furniture over the internet and have it evaluated by an expert. You can judge the age, artist, rarity, market value, etc. of a piece of furniture just by looking at the photo and description without seeing the actual item.
《Advantages of online appraisal》
1. Appraisal is possible from the comfort of your home
The biggest advantage is that you don't have to carry heavy furniture. Especially in the case of large antique furniture, it is not practical to take it to a store. If you're online, all you have to do is take a picture with your smartphone.
2. Save time and transportation costs
There is no need to go to a specialty store far away, which is a big advantage for busy modern people. It is especially convenient for people in their 30s to 50s who are in the prime of their working lives and elderly people who find it difficult to go out.
3. Easy to consult with multiple vendors
It is difficult to go to physical stores, but online you can consult with multiple appraisers at the same time. Another advantage is that it is easy to get a second opinion.
4. Applications available 24 hours a day
Many services are available 24 hours a day, so you can apply as soon as you feel like it.
《Disadvantages of online appraisal》
1. Photographs alone have their limits
Since you can't get your hands on the actual product, you may overlook small scratches, material texture, structural issues, etc. It is especially difficult to judge the repair history and internal condition.
2. Effects of lighting and shooting angle
The quality of the photo may affect the appraisal result. Shooting with proper lighting is important.
3. Actual confirmation is required for final value judgment
Online appraisals are suitable for grasping the approximate value, but when considering accurate value judgment or sale, it is often necessary to check the actual property in the end.
《Flow of online appraisal service》
Step 1: Application/Registration
Fill out the required information in the application form on each service's website. The following basic information is required:
- Types of furniture (tables, chairs, chests, etc.)
- Estimated age
- Purchase time and acquisition history
- Size (width x depth x height)
- current status
Step 2: Taking and sending photos
Take multiple photos from the following angles:
- Overall view (front, side, back)
- Details (decoration, metal fittings, joints)
- Areas with scratches or dirt
- back or bottom
- Labels and signs indicating the manufacturer and year
Step 3: Expert appraisal
Based on the submitted information, experts will make an appraisal from the following perspectives:
- Identifying the era/era
- Identifying the artist or manufacturer
- Style/style analysis
- Rarity assessment
- Calculating market value
Step 4: Receiving appraisal results
Test results are usually received within a week. Contents include:
- Furniture details information
- Estimated age/author
- current market value
- Factors that increase/decrease value
- Advice on storage and maintenance
《About the fee structure》
Prices for online appraisals vary depending on the provider, but we will introduce you to the general market price!
Simple appraisal
- Price: 3,000 yen to 8,000 yen
- Content: Basic value judgment
- Duration: 3-5 days
Detailed appraisal
- Price: 10,000 yen to 20,000 yen
- Contents: Includes detailed analysis report
- Duration: 1-2 weeks
With certificate of authenticity
- Price: 20,000 yen to 50,000 yen
- Contents: Certificate of authenticity certifying public value
- Duration: 2-3 weeks
Many companies offer services where the appraisal fee is discounted or free if you use purchase or sale support after the appraisal.
《Introduction of recommended online appraisal service providers》
① Nichikodo
・Completely free of fees such as appraisal fees → Completely free of fees up to the purchase regardless of the purchase method
・Available for purchase areas: All over Japan → We can handle items that appear to be old from the customer's perspective.
・Cancellation is possible after confirming the purchase price → Those who only want to request an appraisal are also welcome.
②Eijudo
・High purchase price → Operated by a small number of elite staff with only appraisers on staff
・Wide range of purchase items → Handling over 100 types of antiques in 10 items
・Light footwork → Even one dish from Hokkaido to Okinawa is OK
③Hakkodo
・Purchase price comparable to other companies → With a parent company listed on the TSE Growth Market and a track record of over 40 years in business
・Thorough safety and security system → Cooling-off policy allows returns and cancellations within 8 days
・Commitment to customer service → Attentive service and careful handling of items, assessment and explanation
・Introduced in many TV media → Rich experience and solid eye are recognized by the media
《Preparations before requesting an appraisal》
Information gathering
You can expect a more accurate appraisal by investigating the following to the best of your knowledge about the furniture:
- Purchase time and acquisition history
- Previous owner information
- Repair and renovation history
- Presence of accessories
Photography tips
- Shoot under natural light
- Shoot from multiple angles
- Capture even the smallest details
- Take pictures without hiding dirt or scratches
《Summary》
Online appraisals are a great tool for easily finding out the value of antique furniture. It's not perfect, but it gives you enough information to get a rough idea of what it's worth and decide what to do next.
Especially for elderly people who find it difficult to go out, and for busy modern people, being able to listen to expert opinions from the comfort of your own home is a great benefit.
If you have antique furniture lying dormant at home, why not try an online appraisal? You may discover unexpected value.
At Fynd, we are always available for consultation regarding your precious furniture. Let's discover the charm of antique and vintage furniture together.
The world of furniture is deep and the more you know about it, the more interesting it becomes. Why not start by exploring the history and value of familiar furniture?
