How do I know when my item has been appraised?
How do I know when my item has been appraised? where does it show up at? do i click
on my item or what? thanks
How do I get my appraisel? Nothing shows on my items. Been on since 2011. Do I have to resumit? Why is it take so long? Can I get some HELP? PLEASE.
It's my understanding you can set your preferences to recieve an email when anyone comments on your appraisal. As this service is free i'd simply resubmit your appraisal request. please not some items like jewelery, oil painting and ancient artifacts are not good subjects for online valuations, they really need to be physically appraised by a specialist.
I understand your frustration, I have items awaiting replies too.
I feel we must remember this is a GENERAL appraisal site, which means that this is a group of amateurs, and professionals who generally are expert in only a few fields each - but hopefully cover enough breadth that someone might be able to point you to an answer.
We are all donating our time here, to assist you *where we can*. We recognize also that, should we try and guess in a field outside our knowledge, then guess wrong - it is likely to cause negative impressions rather than a positive 'well they didn't know but tried for me'. Unfortunately it's the way people are.
Rather, it's better to remember that this site is only ONE avenue for your research.
The rules I follow are:
1. Ask here to get further options of where else to look, or if I do not know what to look under. It's a great starting point!
2. ALSO join and ask in specific sites. For example; if you are interested in silver, join one of the many silver collector's sites and ask there too. The advantage is you get access to experts -in that field- who will probably be better positioned to answer your question. The disadvantage is that you have to know you have a silver question, you can't ask about other stuff, and may have trouble with cross collecting questions (where an object is both silver and something else such as a small car - it may be more collected as a toy object, rather than silver.)
3. If you don't get an answer, bring your item to the top of the list again. (PS: I personally wouldn't ask it again, just edit it and add some more information or even simply the line "-- anyone find info on this yet?--" to it. That saves duplication. Think about it; if I answer the first question, and you have duplicated it in another already, I may not see that for a long time or believe I answered it sufficiently for you the first time. While you may not be checking the first item for the answer any more.)
4. Photos (and good relevant ones) are a must. Unless you are an expert yourself on it, it's likely you would miss some detail that we need to help you. You might see a book with 'leather binding' for example. We might see the AGE from it's binding style! Something we couldn't get from your simple description.
5. Add everything you see to the information. If the mark is blue ink, say so, it might make a difference!
6. Let us know what you are looking for. I see a lot of items that appear to already have most, if not all the information that is normally available. It leaves me to wonder just what you want to find out. Even for a value. There is retail value, insurance value, and auction value, just to name the basic ones. Which do you want?
7. Be descriptive in your title. It makes it much easier to find. Don't just say "BELL", rather say "Brass Bell with Frog on top". Makes it easier for me to find it again, when I have information for you; and for you to find it again to read the answer. Imagine trying to find it with just "Bell", in amongst the hundreds of brass, ceramic, and glass bells listed!
8. Most of all, be patient. Remember the folks here are doing this as a hobby and work full time. They have their own researches going on, and families to be with too. Some are professionals, true, but they have to earn a living so they will naturally handle the paying customers first!
9. Absolutely most of all, be polite and friendly. Remember, these folks are actually trying to help you for free! You may not see it right away, but they really are! For example; I tend to spend 2-3 hours (not continuously of course)researching and checking my answers to give you the best, most accurate ones I can. You don't see the hours of work, only the paragraph or two I eventually post for you. Don't complain that I was slow!
If you think it's been too long, then wait at least another week before you bubble it up to the top of the list again by editing and re-saving it. Perhaps ask for things like "does anyone know a group that collects this kind of item?" Suddenly you might get more leads!
Remember, even if it hasn't been answered right away, you now have a bunch of eyes scanning for the answer. They'll remember the odd item and, if they stumble across it again they will try and get back to you. If you have a decent description that makes it more likely they can find you again to post the answer!
If you know an answer, or find out the answer, remember to post it here too! We are all here to help each other!
250chief
I don't think i will ever see an professional appraiser look at the thing that i posted.Maybe they sell email address
Hello Landing,
Nobody sells any email addresses to anyone - that's completely against our policy. Remember that Instappraisal is 100% community driven so you'll get replies to your appraisal request if someone knows enough about your item to reply. We have many people looking at items from all around the world so there's a good chance that ultimately someone will know about your item.
Sincerely,
Joseph
As Joseph has said, if you've subscribed to receive emails about your appraisal you'll receive an email when someone has commented on it or provided any information. This is a free site and nobody is obligated to answer your questions or provide an evaluation.
Like many, when I visit the site I always look at the list on the left and answer questions within my own interest of collecting, I would suggest if you don't get any response within a week or two, just resubmit your item.
Lovejoy
Apparently you do not comprehend the concept of a community website.
#1 It's free.
Most vintage stereos are considered used furniture and only have collector value to a very, very small crowd. Apparently not many of them frequent this very small site.
There are probably more collectors of Buddy L toys, but I'll bet their values are not set in stone.
I will try to find each of your posts and try to help.
Wally
If you've subscribed to receive emails about your post (your appraisal) then you'll receive an email when there is a comment. As mentioned, this is a 100% community-driven web site which means that folks like you and me comment on appraisal requests, etc. that people have posted. The idea is that you help your fellow collector with information and when it comes time for you to receive help than it will be reciprocated.
Enjoy,
Joseph
I would like to have an e-mail sent only if someone has info. on the antique that I posted. It would be simple and less time consuming to simply go to the site and search items by category that I am familiar with and could perhaps pass on info to others. Should have a search feature like e-bay. My in box is flooded with requests and with-out time to search them all I may have deleted some that I could have helped or perhaps my own appraisal request info was deleted. Think this would make the site more user-freindly to all. Thanks, Tes
Yes, is anyone out there? I submitted a vintage stereo for appraisal and have not had anyone give me a price yet?
D. Dickerson
I really don't think we will have anyone appraise our items I have two I sent in and not word on anything