Appraisals ~ Selling & Consigning
Would you prefer to know the market value of your object or collection before selling it? For qualifying items, we provide an estimated value of your items at auction, for selling directly to us or for consigning your items with us. An informal appraisal is no charge. Request an appraisal via email and expect our feedback within two (2) business days.
Formal Appraisals
If you require a formal appraisal, we have assembled a network of specialists that offer certified appraisals. We provide Fair Market Value appraisals with photos and detailed descriptions for the following purposes:
- Insurance
- Estate & Financial Planning
- Gift & Estate Tax
- Trusts & Conservatorships
- Charitable donations
- Equitable distribution
Clear out Services
We can help you with downsizing and or a complete move-out. Our aim is to help reduce the stress of moving. Our professional team will come and appraise your designated items for free. Any items appraised with a value will be offered consignment or to be purchased if you prefer. Unsaleable items will be donated to charitable causes such as the Oakville Humane Society, various volunteer drives for refugee and shelters as well as Habitat for Humanity and other organizations. Call or email us to inquire about our clear out services.
Antique Repairs
At Storia, we have cultivated a variety of industry contacts that are qualified in all manner of antique repair. Come by our store or send us an email with the antique you're looking to fix, and we will restore it ourselves or put you in touch with the requisite repair experts.
Antique Prop Rentals
Storia also functions as a premium source for antique and vintage prop rentals for movie, television and stage productions as well as private functions and weddings. We offer a huge inventory of thousands of unique antique items for photographers, prop stylists, set designers, movie producers, creative directors, TV commercial producers and theatre groups. We are able to cater to a variety of different requests and needs. Please contact us for any specific inquiries.
Some Notes on Intelligent Downsizing
Whether you have entered the stage where you want to reduce your possessions, or even if you have been assigned the weighty responsibility of being the executor of an estate. There are some simple steps that will save your sanity. Here, in sequence, are actions that you can take, based on my experience over the past twenty years.
1. Come to the conclusion that much of what you have accumulated in a lifetime (exclusive of your property) is not of significant value.
2. Don't, under any circumstance, succumb to the idea that you should store the items. You'll end up paying more for the storage costs that any of the items are worth.
3. Have a qualified appraiser identify those few objects which might do well at auction.
4. It's likely that most of the furniture you possess would be defined as "used goods" and not as antiques. Antiques, generally, meet the one hundred year mark. Early twentieth century items may be vintage. However, generally speaking, most collections are made up of furnishings from the forties, fifties, and sixties. Almost certainly, no matter how much they originally cost, they will not have held their value.
5. The same is true for most porcelain and pottery. For example, many objects from The Franklin Mint, along with Norman Rockwell plates, are virtually valueless.
6. Silver plate, likewise, is valueless and can be sold for the scrap value of its base metal. KEEP IN MIND that sterling always holds its value (at melt value) and you can check what the current cost is per ounce online.
7. Most jewellery is costume jewellery and is worthless. But in that collection you may have objects that have precious stones or which are, in part, gold or silver.
8. The ordinary furniture can be given to a consignment shop on contract. However, although once in a while you may be pleasantly surprised, more often than not you will not be receiving a great deal of money.
9. Some objects can be sold on eBay or Kijiji, but that requires an investment of time and the annoyance of dealing with buyers who want everything for nothing.
10. Work to a deadline. And most of all, be realistic about your pricing.
11. In summary, don't fly blind. Try to have the important items identified by an expert up front. Then dispose of the other pieces in an orderly fashion.
Life is short. Don't waste your time attempting to squeeze every dime out of a list of commodities which have no intrinsic value.
Hope this is helpful.
Jed Gardner,
Owner/Manager
1. Come to the conclusion that much of what you have accumulated in a lifetime (exclusive of your property) is not of significant value.
2. Don't, under any circumstance, succumb to the idea that you should store the items. You'll end up paying more for the storage costs that any of the items are worth.
3. Have a qualified appraiser identify those few objects which might do well at auction.
4. It's likely that most of the furniture you possess would be defined as "used goods" and not as antiques. Antiques, generally, meet the one hundred year mark. Early twentieth century items may be vintage. However, generally speaking, most collections are made up of furnishings from the forties, fifties, and sixties. Almost certainly, no matter how much they originally cost, they will not have held their value.
5. The same is true for most porcelain and pottery. For example, many objects from The Franklin Mint, along with Norman Rockwell plates, are virtually valueless.
6. Silver plate, likewise, is valueless and can be sold for the scrap value of its base metal. KEEP IN MIND that sterling always holds its value (at melt value) and you can check what the current cost is per ounce online.
7. Most jewellery is costume jewellery and is worthless. But in that collection you may have objects that have precious stones or which are, in part, gold or silver.
8. The ordinary furniture can be given to a consignment shop on contract. However, although once in a while you may be pleasantly surprised, more often than not you will not be receiving a great deal of money.
9. Some objects can be sold on eBay or Kijiji, but that requires an investment of time and the annoyance of dealing with buyers who want everything for nothing.
10. Work to a deadline. And most of all, be realistic about your pricing.
11. In summary, don't fly blind. Try to have the important items identified by an expert up front. Then dispose of the other pieces in an orderly fashion.
Life is short. Don't waste your time attempting to squeeze every dime out of a list of commodities which have no intrinsic value.
Hope this is helpful.
Jed Gardner,
Owner/Manager