About 20 years ago, I noticed that the antique mall booth next to mine was selling everything at half off. The booth was in a prime spot: a corner of the main aisle. And they were moving out. Seeing the opportunity to expand my 100-square-foot empire by colonizing...

Many years ago, I spotted an eBay listing for a signed copy of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. It was an old book, to be sure -- a late 1890s printing. Anyway, I wrote to the seller and said that, prior to bidding, I really needed to know 1) the condition of the...

"That's actually not old." "Oh, yes it is," my client snorts. "It belonged to my grandma, so I know it's old." "Maybe she had one similar to it," I reply, trying to give this person an out. Because sadly, I know I'm right. But she doubles down. "Nope, that one. THAT....

Over the years, I've had to deliver not-so-good news to clients on housecalls. The usual scenario goes something like this: They show me some old treasure, and I tell them (very gently) that it's not worth what they thought it was, sometimes by a considerable margin....

Between sick friends, mask wearing, closed businesses and holding your breath a little every time you hear someone cough, most everyone has had it with 2020.  Oddly enough, despite the economic challenges that face much of the population, many auction businesses have...