By Lori Sonken

The antique industry has changed the past decade largely because of eBay and the internet, area dealers generally agree. But eBay is not the "golden goose" it once was, said Adam Pearl, owner of Pastimes Antiques in the DeWitt Mall.

Despite the sagging economy, the past two years have been the best he has had in the 31 years he has been in business. "We have been doing very well in the shop," Pearl "the value of goods.

"The internet as a general tool is excellent for research," Pearl said, noting the rows of reference books in his shop that he used to use but now rarely opens.

A quick glance around his store reveals silver earrings available for $6.50, beads for $1 each, earring wires at $.25 a pair, marbles for $.50, and comic books and campaign buttons for $3.50 each. Records like Godspell and the Beatles Rubber Soul can be purchased for $6.50 a piece.

"Most of our stuff is under $10. It's all nice. It's all pretty," Pearl said.

Aside from selling antiques, Pearl offers a free appraisal service and he buys antiques. Lately he is purchasing a fair amount of silver. If the item is in good shape he will resell the piece in his shop. But if it is mangled, the piece may be sold to a smelter for as much as 95 percent of its value.

Pearl likens his shop to a department store with one or two dozen different departments, such as buttons, tins, toys, keys and jewelry.

"One of the secrets to our success is we get new stuff in here everyday. We price to sell," he said.

In contrast to Pearl, Jenny McGuire, owner of Blue Bird Antiques of Antiques still sells on eBay, but not exclusively.

"You get the world's attention," when you sell something on-line, she said. "If something is really special, it is best to put it on line," she adds.

McGuire returned to the Ithaca area where she grew up, and opened her store 15 months ago following a stint leasing at the Ithaca Antique Center. A former caterer, she has been selling antiques about four years.

Furniture use to be a hot item, but now it is hard to sell. McGuire's shop has a solid wood leaf table that seats four available for $120. But it is not moving.

She has a hard time understanding why "people prefer going to Wal-Mart and Target to buy a table that comes in a box, that you have go home and build." It does not make sense to her that people would rather buy a new table made out of pressed wood when they can buy a beautiful, old, solid wood table for less money.

McGuire finds that people do not want to spend a lot of money right now. "I use to sell a lot of Persian rugs," but sales have slowed significantly. "People are reluctant to buy a 100 percent hand knotted Persian rug just because of the price," she laments.

But like customers at Pastimes, those coming to Blue Bird are buying smaller items, such as jewelry. People also get pleasure from buying a beautiful pottery vase, an antique mirror, and a framed lithograph, she said.

While McGuire posts her wares on eBay, Alphonse Pieper, executive director of Significant Elements in Ithaca, prefers Craigslist. Last month, Significant Elements listed a Glenwood Stove for $350 and a Victorian fireplace insert for $425, both on Craigslist.

A non-profit organization, Significant Elements sells hardware and lighting elements as well as doors, door knobs, face plates, glass knobs, trim and recycled materials, such as bathtubs and sinks. "Everything we do goes back to promoting and educating on the maintenance and rehabilitation of the older building stock in Tompkins County," Pieper said. "We deal with recycled building materials and architecturally-salvaged antiques."

The store has a reference library with materials available on such topics as house history, rehabilitation methods and energy efficiency. The store also offers preservation classes and other workshops.

Like Significant Elements, individuals use Craigslist to sell their wares. The past month Ithaca Craigslist Web site - at ithaca.craigslist.org/atq - listed about 83 antiques available for sale in the local area. Buyers can purchase an antique buzz saw blade for $75, a baby grand piano needing restoration for $300, a claw foot bathtub for $100 and a signed Ansel Adams photograph for $4,500.

While Craigslist offers buyers the opportunity to see most items before they are purchased, eBay does not, unless a seller happens to be local. But there is no shortage of items on eBay. The first week of the New Year, there were 94,738 antiques for sale on eBay, including almost 28,000 rugs and 6,312 furniture items.

"When I first looked at eBay 11 years ago, there were 85,000 items total. Today there are 30 million," said Tony Nard, owner of Jared's Antiques. Based in Endicott, Nard sells exclusively on eBay. A decade ago he posted 5,000 items a year on eBay. But today, he lists only 30-50 items a week.

"If a person wanted to furnish their house now, I can't think of a more opportune time to do it," Nard said.

Because of the economy, he looks to other venues to sell his goods, such as antique shows.

But, just what is an antique?

Pearl, the owner of Pastimes, said an antique is "something that is no longer manufactured, is of a quality and workmanship that makes it desirable, and something that is likely to hold or increase in value."

When Andri A. Goncarovs, co-owner of the Ithaca Antique Center on Trumansburg Road, thinks about what makes an antique he asks three questions. Is the item durable? Will it retain its value? Is the item useful?

"We are focused on establishing a powerhouse retail business," Goncarovs said, noting that he does not sell on the internet. Instead, he and his partner, Stacey Payette, lease floor, wall and booth space to approximately 70 dealers and 17 regular consigners.

Goncarovs and Payette purchased the Ithaca Antique Center four years ago. Although the economy has slowed, Goncarovs said business has been good. He noticed "an increased demand for antiques and collectibles that retain their value." Before they make a purchase, customers ask if the item is going to increase or appreciate in value, said Goncarovs.

Last year, the Ithaca Antique Center reached out to Ithaca landlords with furnished apartments. Goncarovs said that some recognized it is more cost effective to buy solid wood antique furniture because it will retain its value longer than a new item.

Pieper, the executive director of Significant Elements, pointed out that though the price of an antique may be comparable to a new item, the quality of the antique is likely better. Pearl said antiques generally cost less than new items and are usually a higher quality product and more durable than something new.

Aside from appreciating the quality and workmanship of an antique, most dealers and collectors get a thrill out of finding a treasure.

"What brings me pleasure in this business is that I go out and find treasures," McGuire noted. "When someone comes in and falls in love with the treasure, a new home is found for this beautiful object," she added.

McGuire notes that recycling is also part of the antique industry. "You could almost call it a green business," she said.