I am a new appraiser of personal property and antiques. I have not homed in on a specialty yet. I’ve collected mostly dishes throughout my travels. I do not belong to a specific Antique or personal property Society as of yet. Still trying to decide. Most have very costly membership fees and very expensive courses. I have taken the courses to receive my certifications. I have done some mentoring with an appraiser/estate sale lady. I am in need of hands on mentoring to home in on my skills. With that beings said, if anyone in the Charlotte NC needs a helper please contact me. I was tasked by a friend of mine who has an antique shop here in town. To find out what I can about a trappers coat that she now has in her possession. She has no history on it. No origin know. Really nothing to go on. Anyone specialize in such items that I can contact. Would appreciate any help I could get. Thanks so Much.
First,, did you get a pic of the coat that you can post here ?? So you took an appraisal course !! If it states you are a certified personal property appraiser,,what else do you need other than a computer and a general knowledge of how to research an item !!
Believe me,, there is not an appraiser in the world that knows enough to give a value on many things they are asked to appraise !!
Each item must be researched as to past sale prices and todays market value then appraise accordingly !!
What are these other things they want you to do and what are the names of the groups and what accreditation would they give you if you did spend the money to join !! I frankly have never heard of such !!
I appreciate you getting back to me. And yes I agree about joining a society with membership fees because they make you jump through hoops to join. Also, the courses are not that much less expensive even if I was a member. However I did pay and take the course 15 hr. Personal Property/USPAP compliant. Also took a year long course that state I am now an antique appraiser. My issue is no hands on experience. The appraiser who mentored me was not forth coming with real needed information. Turns out this is a rather competitive field. I received a completion letter stating I took it. However they will not let me call myself certified or use their name attached to it. Until I become credentialed with other very expensive courses. So anyway back to the trappers coat. A picture was given to me by a friend who has no background information on it. No origin. NOTHING. So, that’s why I was reaching out to anyone who may have knowledge of this particular item. Thanks again for getting back to me.
Congrats on your new endeavor !! But my advice would be to save your money rather than join some group that rarely does anything to advance your new career !!
You say you have taken the courses but what would your certification be ?? If it is just for the ability to do licensed appraisals,, what knowledge do you have in specific fields ??
Not trying to be rough with you but I have seen others go down this same road !!
First lesson,, always take pics !! Have no way to guess about the coat without seeing it !!