I've just returned from a seminar on Antiques and Collectibles, The Quest for Knowledge Educational Symposium 2000, sponsored by the Antiques & Collectible Associations. The symposium consisted of a series of short classes on the various aspects of Antiques and Collectibles usually from a dealer standpoint. There were many choices of subjects being covered and the instructors were all well known authors and/or experts in their respective fields. They were all willing to share their vast quantity of knowledge and my notebook is full!

In the next few weeks I will share with you some of the information from the classes and the trade show, more about the instructors, and how to find additional information about these subjects.

The Trade Show
As an Internet junkie and Collectibles Guide on About.com I found the trade show very interesting. The majority of vendors were Internet companies vying for dealers to affiliate with them. The ones represented were:

Over the course of the seminar there were many chances to talk with the guiding forces behind the online malls and to find out more about their services. The first articles will explore these various online malls and what they offer both dealers and collectors. They all have good features -- just different ones.

The Internet is Not Just eBay
Becoming a seller on the Internet is very easy -- all you have to do is type a few lines on one of the auction sites and you are on your way to selling. One quote heard numerous times during the seminar -- The Internet Is Not Just eBay -- bears repeating.

There are numerous ways and places to sell and buy merchandise. By all means -- check out eBay, Yahoo and Amazon auctions. But, if you are more than just a seller, if you are a DEALER -- also take time to look at the online malls and individual websites, the perfect fit will be there and shopping around is the only way to find it. As a dealer, all three of these options (online mall, individual website and auctions) should be used to maximize your sales and more importantly your exposure. If you are a collector, checking out all the options will help you find that elusive collectible.

Continued on Page Two -- A few questions to think about if you are a dealer looking for an internet mall.

Links:
Antique & Collectible Associations

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