We have all heard the horror stories. About friends or relatives who lost prized possessions to burglars, fires or careless movers. Many had their misfortune compounded when--unable to prove the value of their damaged or destroyed possessions--they were refused compensation by balking insurance companies, or were offered arbitrary and unreasonably low reimbursement.
Often, following the time-honored system of closing the barn door after the horse is gone, the victims call in The Appraiser. They hope, of course, that s/he would somehow divine--from oral descriptions, family photographs, charred or broken remains--the true value of their once-upon-a-time treasures, and thus force the insurance companies to pay up.
Alas, in most such cases, short of some serious talent for clairvoyance, even the most knowledgeable and experienced appraiser would have trouble coming up with the correct information.
It really doesn't matter if one has antiques, or just good, custom-made furniture, decorative accessories, art or rugs. A written appraisal by a certified appraiser who is a member of one of the top national appraisers' associations is the best insurance against such heartbreaking losses.
Most reputable appraisers base their fees on the time they spend on the job--not on the value of items they are asked to appraise. The latter system can lend itself to a conflict of interest.
Recommendations are always a good way to find a knowledgeable and ethical appraiser. If a referral is not available, however, it is a good idea to interview several appraisers before hiring one. Then, it is important to remember the following:
• Ask the appraiser about his/her experience. Dealer-appraisers who have
actually handled (i.e., bought and sold) the type of home furnishings
you want appraised, are better qualified than appraisers who learned
their profession from books and auction catalogues. It is one thing to
look at a photograph of an item, and another to have hands-on
familiarity with it.
• Ask about the appraiser's background and experience. Although some
appraisers are generalists, others specialize--in rugs, paintings, jewelry,
etc.--but still may accept the job, thinking they could compensate for
their lack of expertise in other areas by winging it, or doing a bit of
research.
• The fee size is not indicative of the appraiser's competence and honesty.
A low fee doesn't always mean you will save money. Nor is it a
certainty that the appraiser charging the highest fee is the one most
knowledgeable. Polite fee negotiations are appropriate--though they
may not succeed when the appraiser's fee schedule is set to industry
standards.
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