Hepplewhite Antiques

[smurfchops]

Has anyone had any dealings with them?  They are in Tunbridge Wells.  Wondering whether to contact them.  Thanks all.

[DTCwordfan]

Poor Mr. smurf is about to be sold then?

[jno]

I tried googling them and the only link was to this question. Congratulations, you may have broken the internet. Is that definitely the right name?

[barry1010]

https://www.hepplewhites.co.uk/category/furniture/

[barry1010]

Sorry, Smurf, I know nothing of them.

[rowanwitch]

A lack of online presence is a bit worrying, it's so much the norm these days and an antiques business would expect to trade online.

[barry1010]

They have got a website, I've linked to it and it seems quite impressive.

[smurfchops]

Unfortunately not, DTC although he is quite an antique.  Bit shabby round the edges though.  I was wondering why I couldn't find any reviews of the company anywhere .....

[Buenchico]

The company has been in existence since 2007 (despite the reference to 30 years' experience on their website).

My main concern about the business is that they don't appear to have a showroom (or anything similar either).  The address given in Tunbridge Wells is 85 High Street, which is simply a business centre where offices are available for hire:
https://www.inigo.co.uk/locations/tunbridge-wells/

I'd definitely tread somewhat wearily if considering dealing with that company.

[Buenchico]

PS: I'm always a bit wary of companies whose directors have got their fingers in possibly rather too many pies. 

Hepplewhites Ltd currently only has one director, who's also a director of a property development company, a property rental company, a property management company and several other antiques businesses:
http://tinyurl.com/32p8pz2x

That doesn't really shout vast expertise in the antiques market to me.

[smurfchops]

Thanks all.  Just like the fact they come to the home and buy your bits without me having to pay an auction house ...  

[barry1010]

Have you had your bits valued at an auction house?  It 

[davebro3]

I don't like auction houses - unless it's a really exceptional item that makes mega-bucks over expectation it's better to trade direct.

Roughly speaking the auction house take 20% both ends so something that sells for £100 the seller gets £80 The buyer pays £120. Better for buyer and seller if they can deal at £100.

[smurfchops]

Any Dealer recommendations for me, as a seller then?  Close to SW  London.  Thanks all.  

[Buenchico]

What are you selling? 

If it's, say, just a couple of pieces of jewellery or china, you can easily take them along to a potential buyer.  However if it's dozens of china items, or a large piece of furniture, you'll need to make alternative arrangements.  That could affect your choice of dealer.

[Buenchico]

If you're selling smaller items, which could easily fit into your car, and and can wait until May, it might be worth a visit to the Wimbledon Antiques Fair, to see what different dealers will offer you there:
https://www.sunburyantiques.com/wimbledon/