Just Because It's Old Doesn't Mean It's Saleable
One of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming that age equals value.
It doesn't.
Every week we hear the same argument: "But it's Victorian," or "It's over 100 years old." That may be true, but the real question is whether anyone actually wants it.
Take the classic chaise longue. A hundred years ago it was the height of fashion. Today? The market is far smaller. Yes, the occasional buyer wants one at the end of a bed, in a large bathroom, or as a decorative statement piece, but compared with thirty years ago demand has fallen dramatically.
The same applies to countless other antiques. Heavy dining tables, oversized wardrobes, dark brown furniture and elaborate display cabinets were once household staples. Today many modern homes simply don't have the space or the desire for them.
The antiques and vintage market is driven by two things: scarcity and desirability.
Being old may make something scarce, but unless buyers find it attractive, useful or fashionable, scarcity alone is not enough.
A rare object that nobody wants can be worth surprisingly little. A desirable object that everyone wants can achieve remarkable prices, even if it is much newer.
The lesson is simple. Don't ask, "How old is it?" Ask, "Who wants it?"
In today's market, desirability is often more important than age.
Just because it's old doesn't mean it's saleable.
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