Heres a concept thats rarely discussed: the antiques and collectible pecking order. What I mean is that there are different levels within the trade, and its sometimes interesting to watch an item move from one level to the other and how value changes at each level. This is a true story and a perfect example of what Im talking about. Some years ago, my friend purchased an antique country wooden bucket, in original blue milk-based paint, at a garage sale (level #1). It cost $1. We met the next day at a flea market (level #2) where we were both set up, and he sold it to me for $10. It was a fair price, and I had no intention of selling it. My plan was to take it home and add it to my collection. Temporarily, I placed it in my van. The next thing I knew, another dealer who happened to be shopping the flea market saw the bucket and asked what the price was. I said it wasnt for sale. Before long, the offer was $200, and I couldnt say no any longer. I accepted the $200 and split it with my friend, which was the fair thing to do. I later learned that the new owner was a high-end antiques dealer. He took it to a show (level #3) where he was exhibiting that weekend, and I heard through the grapevine that he sold it for $500 to a wealthy collector (level #4). The point of this vignette is that something purchased for a buck at a garage sale on a Saturday morning traded hands several times the day after, subsequently selling for $10, then $200, and finally for $500. This illustrates the way merchandise can move through the chain, or pecking order, until it finally reaches the ultimate retail buyer. What a great business were in! Whats it worth? Eventually, almost every collector reaches the point where they decide to sell their collection. Age, health, death, divorce, declining interest, a pending move or downsizing, and sometimes even debt or financial obligations motivate individuals to sell their collections. Theres a lot of great merchandise coming back into the marketplace today, with even more returning in the coming years. This is great news if youre a collector because with declining prices and fresh merchandise, there probably hasnt been a better time to collect over the past 25 years. Mike Ivankovich is an auctioneer, appraiser, home downsizing expert, and host of the Whats It Worth? Ask Mike the Appraiser radio show. Now in its fifth year, Whats It Worth airs live on Friday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on WBCB 1490 AM in the greater Philadelphia area. It is available on the internet at www.WBCB1490.com. Listeners can also visit his radio show website at www.AskMikeTheAppraiser.com. To contact Mike Ivankovich, call 215-264-4304.