Vintage view: Six Tips to avoid a Vintage Lemon

WE all want to thrill at finding something highly desirable, but running after the extra satisfaction of a once-in-a lifetime price on an antique or vintage item can easily cloud our judgement.

Have realistic expectations and erect a few simple defences when buying in person or online.

1. Buy from a reputable dealer or auction house. Cutting corners and hunting the market yourself is intoxicating, but in the case of a big investment, you really need to know your stuff. Yes, you’ll appear to pay a premium buying retail, but the experience and knowledge of a trade professional is often the very best deal in the end. With their reputation and integrity, you can generally be assured of an authentic piece. Even better, developing a one-to-one relationship, you can ask him or her to source things from their network. Find antique shops, auctions and specialists in your area at www.iada.ie, home of the Irish Antiques Dealers Association.