How badly do small chips affect value?

[Raven31557]

Say you have a near perfect plate or vase, BUT...
it has a very small chip.
Almost unnoticeable.
Do small chips affect the value greatly?

One appraiser I hired said it was "cracked crap" and toss it.
But on some TV shows they say it still has value, just not as much.

If it isn't "cracked crap" I'm going to be sooooooooooo mad at myself.
lol

[Pelady]

Raven,

I think it all depends on 4 things:  the rarity of the item, the age, the original unblemished value, and the intended purpose of the item.  Items that are 50 to 100 dollars don't hold value when chipped. Chipped Place settings of china have very little value.  If the chip affects the purpose like if it is on a handle or a crack in vase and thus you can not put water in it etc.  Now if it is a Tiffany vase that would be 4000 bucks then yes it might still have value.

I collect Blue Phoenix dishes chipped stuff it not worth anything, but I had a chipped piece in green Phoenix that people were fighting over because it is rare. So it all depends.

PeLady

[ghopper1924]

All true, but it's amazing to me how much a chip will affect value. This is true with ceramics or glass. The wrong chip can erase up to 80%-90% of value, which is surprising considering that it affects less than 1% of the surface.

[mart]

Number 1,,don`t believe everything people tell you !!  And for crying out loud,, do not pay for appraisals that are easily done yourself !!   Lets say an item has  a $100. perceived value in mint condition has a tiny and unnoticeable chip !!  The people that are interested in resale value or those that are interested in increased value over time may not be interested !!  Those that are looking to complete a set or to replace a broken piece will still pay 50 to 75% of that amount !!  Thats money in  your pocket no matter what anyone says !!  Not everyone can afford the full retail price !!

[KC]

All great replies.

Location, Location, Location!  The location of the chip matters as well like said above.  If it is on the bottom of a cup, plate, saucer, tureen and is a "flea bite" then not much depending on the demand of the maker/pattern.

You have a great resource here...just ask!

[ghopper1924]

Yup, and another thing: if there's a small ding or fleabite UNDER the glaze then it was likely done at the factory. To me, that has virtually no effect on value.

[Raven31557]

Thank-you ALL for your wonderful replies!!!!!
VERY helpful, indeed.

I hired that appraiser 30+ yrs ago.
No 'puter access back then. haha
and yes, I know not to hire an appraiser who is also interested in buying.
Mama didn't raise  no fool.
An idiot, maybe, but no fool.
 

[mart]

Thank heavens !!  I thought it may have been recently !!