|
The primary purpose of this page is to highlight questions - and provide answers - to those questions which we get asked the most frequently. Hopefully you may find the answer to your question.
|
|
About Us
Who is Americana Resources?
We are a small antiques and collectibles business located in Maryland, just north of Washington, DC and happen to be very dedicated to helping collectors and collecting clubs. We operate a large fixed price website at http://amres.com For more information on Americana Resources click HERE. |
|
Where does the information come from?
Collectors.Org is an information website focused on helping collectors and collecting clubs.
The various calendars, directories, schedules, and newsletters offers comprehensive, up-to-date
information on a broad range of collecting. Hundreds of sources contribute to the information
collected for this site, including collecting clubs and collectors themselves, and authorities
and news outlets covering the entire industry. If there are areas that would help you as a
collector which you feel are not being offered on this site, we welcome your suggestions.
click HERE.
|
Appraisals, Valuation, Identification
Can you appraise something for me?
Neither the NAC or ACC are able to give valuations on your items.
We suggest that you either contact one of the appraisal associations listed in our
Appraisals & Appraising section, or contact someone locally, and preferably
two or three people to get their opinions. Antique shops, auction houses or local
appraisers may be good choices. Your local library or a major book store should have
a section on antiques and collectibles price guides. Use these references only as guides,
but consider them another resource. There are also a number of excellent information
websites on the Internet. By doing a bit of searching, chances are very good you will
find one relating to the area for which you are seeking help.
|
|
I found an interesting item at a yard sale last week. Can you tell me the value?
Americana Resources, Inc. nor either the NAC or ACC are able to give evaluations. Although we get many such requests daily, we simply do not have the manpower to fill such requests.
|
|
I have an item I would like to have authenticated. Can you help me?
Sorry, we get so many specific requests for assistance with authentication or appraisals that we must simply turn down all such requests.
|
|
I purchased something off the Internet and paid for it, but when it arrived it wasn't as described and the person who sold it to me won't refund my money. Is there anywhere I can send my complaint and get some help?
Unfortunately, this is a common problem that continues to plague the antiques and collectibles industry, particularly relating to the Internet. Experience is probably one of the best safeguards against getting "taken" by someone in a fraudulent way, but it can happen to anyone...even the most experienced. Knowing those people you buy from, asking for references and making sure there is a satisfaction guaranteed policy helps. Buy if, unfortunately, you have a problem it is basically a personal transaction and very difficult to seek or obtain outside assistance, and even though there may be legal recourse, often the expenses of a law suit may be more than the value of the original transaction.
|
My Collection
How can I keep up-to-date on my collecting area?
Probably the best way is to join a collecting club relating to your particular collecting area, if one exists. All collecting clubs have education of their members foremost in their goals and objectives, including keeping their membership up-to-date. Depending on your collecting area, there may be specialty publications or information Internet websites directed at your collecting areThese also are good resources.
|
|
I belong to a collecting club I do not see listed as a member of the Association of Collecting Clubs. What does a club have to do to be qualified for membership in ACC?
Any organized collecting club is welcome to join ACC and participate in the programs and services offered. If your collecting club is a specialty club or geographic chapter under a larger collecting association umbrella which may not be a member, you still can join on your own. If you are a member of a collecting club but not in a leadership position, you may want to ask those who are in a leader capacity about joining ACC. They may not be aware of it. click HERE.
|
|
How do I find out about where to find items for my collection in my area?
Obviously the answer to this question may vary somewhat depending upon what you collect. If you like to frequent yard sales, flea markets, auctions or antiques & collectibles shows, these can be great resources. Your local newspaper or the yellow pages of your phone book should list the auction houses, antique shops or malls, and the flea markets. There are also directories - both printed and online - available for these areas that may list your locality. Collecting clubs are an excellent way to find other collectors who may specialize in the same thing you collect. Check out our Club Directory. click HERE. Some clubs even have local chapters and there may be one not too far from where you live. Obviously, the Internet opens up a whole new world for collectors, both through fixed price sites and auctions. There are also many publications that have collectors as a primary audience, both general collecting publications and specialty publications. For many of these references check out the Maloney's Resource Directory which is perhaps the most thorough overall source for collectors. click HERE.
|
Collecting Clubs
I collect in an area which doesn't seem to have a club listed in your Club Directory. Can I assume there is no club for this collecting area?
No. Although we attempt to list clubs with which we are familiar and have been provided the listing information, there are many clubs who we have not yet "found" or who have not yet found us! Also, there are many collecting areas which have geographic and specialty chapters which operate as clubs. In some cases we are talking about hundreds of such clubs. Although some of these clubs have requested being listed in our directory, and are listed, many others are not. Any club which is not listed, and would like to be listed, should go to the Club directory and complete the form for submittal. click HERE.
|
|
I would like to start a collecting club? What do I do?
One of the objectives of the Association of Collecting Clubs is to assist and support individuals starting new collecting clubs. If you are sure there is no club serving your collecting area, contact ACC for assistance. click HERE. If you know of any other collectors who may be interested in joining you in starting a club, this would be helpful.
|
|
We are listed in one of your directories but the information is out of date. What should we do?
Simply contact: info@collectors.org and carefully convey the current information plus the changes which need to be made to make the information current. This includes any of the directories on this site. The Club Directory has a form for updating information. click HERE.
|
National Association of Collectors
I'm a collector but not quite sure I should join NAC. Can you offer some guidance?
Anyone who is a collector can benefit from membership in the National Association of Collectors. For a complete explanation of NAC and what it offers click HERE.
|
|
I would like to join NAC, the National Association of Collectors. What do I do?
Click HERE.
|
Association of Collecting Clubs
How can the Association of Collecting Clubs (ACC) help our club?
ACC offers a variety of programs and services that can benefit the leadership of your collecting club. These are listed under the heading "About ACC" click HERE. In addition, when a club joins ACC, all club members automatically become members of NAC including being eligible for all the programs and benefits of NAC. click HERE.
|
|
I belong to a collecting club I do not see listed as a member of the Association of Collecting Clubs. What does a club have to do to be qualified for membership in ACC?
Any organized collecting club is welcome to join ACC and participate in the programs and services offered. If your collecting club is a specialty club or geographic chapter under a larger collecting association umbrella which may not be a member, you still can join on your own. If you are a member of a collecting club but not in a leadership position, you may want to ask those who are in a leader capacity about joining ACC. They may not be aware of it. click HERE.
|
Technology Used on This Site
Browser Support
This site is best viewed with:
- Internet Explorer 5.0 or greater
- Netscape 6 or greater
|
|
Resolution
This site is formatted for a screen size of 800x600
|
|
Graphics
All of the images on this site are produced using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Acrobat. The final images
are in either the JPG or GIF format.
Because of the inherent security risks, at no time will this site use Macromedia Flash!.
|
|
Formatting, Layout and Style
The layout and color scheme of this site is controlled using Cascading Style Sheets.
|
|