CHRISTCHURCH ANTIQUESYou'll find a wide range of items, furniture and antiques in our Christchurch store and if you're not sure what to look for, you may find our buying advice helpful. It's only possible to offer a few guidelines here, but we can tell you more about specific items that interest you.
STYLE
Before you buy an antique, consider what style of antique will best suit your home and the room where you will most probably display it. For example, if your home is contemporary and modern, will an ornate Victorian antique create the effect you want?
If you are redecorating, you may be changing the colours and lighting in your home. This is an ideal to choose new antiques, which can become focal points in each room. You may be inspired to design a complete colour scheme around your new purchase.
Think creatively and have fun!
RESEARCH
If you want a particular item, be it a silver candelabra or porcelain pitcher, do your research. There are lots of guides available online to help you get started. You can search by item and by period. Remember, the more specific you make your search, the more useful the search results tend to be.
Our website is easy to search and we have stock arriving in Christchurch almost daily, so don't forget to add Mr Pickwicks to your online bookmarks or favourites. (All you have to do is press the Control key on your keyboard + 'D'.)
You can also register for priority stock viewings, simply register your email on our home page.
GET THE FACTS
If you are looking for "genuine" antiques, there are a few things you can do to ensure you do not get any unwelcome surprises:
- Buy from a reputable antiques dealer.
- Ask the antiques dealer to give you as much information about the piece as possible.
- If you have a specific question, ask it and make sure you're satisfied with the answer.
Look for signs of age. For example, wood cracks, warps and fades over time and may have slightly imperfect edges, if hand sawn. Antique mirror glass may be thin and slightly warped.
- Look to see if the piece has all round uniformity? If it's too perfect, it may indicate modern manufacturing methods rather than more handcrafted and traditional production.
VALUE
The value of antiques varies enormously and is strongly influenced by taste and availability. Consider the condition of the antiques you're interested in: their rarity value, their history and what sentimental and monetary value they would have to you.
BUYINGCheck with your antiques dealer, so you are clearly aware of their terms of purchase.
Check what their refund policy is, whether freight is included and whether you buy antiques 'as seen'.
At Mr Pickwicks, we offer the following terms of purchase, for example:
- Refunds
In most cases we will refund the purchase price (less freight) if the customer is not satisfied with any goods purchased from us.
- Condition of goods
We endeavour to provide an accurate description of antiques with regard to their condition, however, many of goods are second-hand and it is inevitable they are rarely perfect. Significant faults may be detailed, however, minor imperfection such as small scratches and dents may not.
Mr Pickwicks - quality, character furniture
Christchurch antiques and furniture shop trading for over 25 years
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