Antiques Shops for sale in Canada

Sample high-value pieces against invoices, consignment agreements, provenance records and seller identification. Investigate gaps, disputed title and reproduction risk before including any item at the shop's ticket price.

Separate owned inventory from consigned goods and customer items. Reconcile each piece to consignor terms, commissions, deposits and amounts payable; stock displayed in the shop may create liabilities rather than value.

Check the Canadian Cultural Property Export Control List for age, creator and value criteria. Controlled objects require an export permit, including for temporary export, so assess the store's international-sales process and records.

Identify ivory, horn, tortoiseshell, feathers and other wildlife materials by species and origin. Verify Canadian CITES documents and import or export eligibility before valuing pieces that may be difficult to sell.

Review valuation limits, exclusions, alarm monitoring, safe storage, transit cover and prior claims. Compare policy values with peak owned and consigned stock, not merely the average inventory shown in accounts.

Separate store, marketplace, auction and direct online sales. Include photography, research, platform fees, packing, damage, returns and shipping claims when calculating margin, then test whether listings depend on the owner's expertise.