Can anyone please give me some tips on house to sell an item through an antique

Question:

Can anyone please give me some tips on house to sell an item through an antique dealer?

I would like to sell some antique items that used to belong to my mother. Of course, I know of the big auction houses in London. However, I don't know what it is to deal with a big auction house. What traps should a novice like myself look out for? Every trade has its tricks, and I want to avoid being taken advantage of. How much of a commision does an auction house generally ask for? What are the hidden fees that are vaguely mentioned on their internet sites. I see that there might be various miscellaneous fees, but nothing is ever spelled out. This makes me nervous and suspicious to even contact such an establishment to sell an item.

Any advice on how to deal with an auction house would be greatly appreciated.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Well all you need to do is make your studies first, because lets be honest when you or i get possesion of an antique item, we dont know anything about it, and thats how houses of antiques makes profit by taking advantage of our unwillingly ignorance, therefore they can make you belive whatever they want and pay you cheap and sell for a lot, what i suggest is to ask around check the year of the stuff, condition, market etc... check on auction websites they have lots and lots of antiques it will give you a price range.

Year, condition, is very critical when you go to a house of antiques make sure you know the answers because if you slip on one they will know that you dont know jack and you got valuable things on your hands.