What is your response when you are told something that catches your eye is not for sale?
As you know my background was antiques, my family were antiques dealers and we exhibited at many shows around the world. We have many stories about sales and things for sale.
Growing up my father had a good friend who was an antique dealer in Dorset, England. He always had stories about a colleague who had a shop across the road from him.
One went like this. The car was loaded with a drop front desk, lying on its back in the back part of a Volvo station wagon. It had a blanket loosely thrown over it, not hiding much. The door of the shop was open as was the back of the car. It looked as if the desk was either being unloaded or loaded into the car.
Along comes a shopper, they see the desk, and take a closer look, obviously attracted they go to the door of the shop. They ask, without entering if the desk in the back of the car is for sale. The shop keeper, would come to the door and hem and haw about how he was taking this desk home as it was such a fine example and it was not for sale.
Now, there could be two reactions, disappointment and acceptance, or what usually happened a determined buyer who opened negotiations to purchase something that was not for sale. After a period of time, the piece would be sold, for a significant amount higher than the normal going price as the shop owner had been persuaded to part with this wonderful piece he was taking home.
I have many similar stories along similar lines. A famous art dealer would allow clients to glimpse a painting in a curtained off area and tell them this was not for them. They too had to have it, having been told it was not for them.
Coming soon! Private Listings. Pocket Listings. Make me move postings. For sale by owner listings. Multiple offers. Do these generate similar feelings? In some yes, others will just move on and consider what is for sale now. How can we as listing agents generate that need in buyers to have to have a house when it might be a challenge to sell.
Just a thought for the day as the Chester County Antiques Show is held this weekend at Church Farm School on Lancaster Avenue my brother will be exhibiting and you can definitely find things for sale on his booth. But this show has some wonderful items that will fit into any Chester County or Main Line home whether your style is modern, mid-century or antique.
Remember, if you are looking for or have a a historical home in Tredyffrin Easttown, Chester County or along the Main Line contact Nick Vandekar, Selling the Main Line with Long & Foster Real Estate Inc., office 610-225-7400, cell or text 610-203-4543, email Nick@VandekarTeam.com, website www.SellingTheMainLine.com for help buying or selling.
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