Shopping for antiques online
Shopping online has become a way of life. Books, clothing, flowers, chocolates and more can — as the vendors assure, using familiar industry lingo — be ordered “at the click of your mouse.” The same holds true for antiques and other collectibles. What used to entail the time-consuming task of poring over auction catalog and worldwide antiques publications or meant hiring a scout to find that one special piece, has now become as simple as logging on to the World Wide Web. In 1994, www.icollector.com opened its cyber doors for business, the first site to offer online auctions. Today, it offers access to more than 200 galleries, dealers and auction houses; a look at an archive of over 1 million auction records; and a chance to chat with dealers and fans. In addition, icollectors will soon boast a service dubbed “my agent,” through which the subscriber can be alerted by email if his desired object is found. Registration is free of charge, though a credit card number is required when bidding on icollector lots. Fat wallets are not a prerequisite for interest in the site. Everything from hard-to-find CDs, postcards and early fishing lures to vintage guitars, diamonds and exclusive furniture and artwork can be located and purchased via this fascinating bank of information. <<< LV