WISCONSIN ANTIQUES DEALERS ASSOCIATION

MERCHANDISE & SHOW STANDARDS

Update June 10, 2014

               It is a goal of the Wisconsin Antiques Dealers Association to produce an antiques show which offers authentic and quality merchandise, attractively displayed, for sale to the general public.  To ensure this goal is met, guidelines have been established for merchandise offered for sale.  Each dealer is to exhibit only merchandise that conforms to these criteria.

SCREENING

               Prior to the opening of each WADA show, a review of each booth will be conducted by a Screening Committee, the chairperson of which shall be appointed by the Show Chairperson.  The function of the Screening Committee shall be to review all merchandise and overall displays to determine appropriateness for the show.  The Screening Committee's decision regarding an item's appropriateness is final.  Any item deemed inappropriate will be removed from the show floor by the exhibiting dealer.  Any merchandise brought in after the screening process must be reviewed by the Screening Committee Chairperson.  Show exhibitors should pre-screen their merchandise before bringing it to a WADA show.  Participants are encouraged to contact the Screening Committee Chairperson in advance with questions regarding any item's appropriateness for the show.

               Antiques will be judged subjectively and objectively by the Screening Committee.  Quality and merit of items will be of prime consideration by the Committee for inclusion in the show.  It should also be noted that generally, the later an item is, the greater the quality must be.  Information on the price tag or ticket will also be taken into account.  The quality and merit of an item can be influenced by many factors, some of which may be:  method of manufacture, condition, scarcity, desirability, and originality.  Accordingly, the Screening Committee may use criteria it deems fitting, including, but not limited to, the following:

A.  Originality of Merchandise

Quality of merchandise will be subject to the 25% Rule.  This means that if there is more than 25% replacement to an item, or if there is 25% missing from an item, it will be considered "not acceptable" for the WADA Show.  This rule will be strictly adhered to with respect to furniture items, but may be somewhat less strict in some other categories (Example:  Architectural, sets of chairs, other "sets" of which minor pieces may be missing).

B.  Age of Merchandise

Pre-1950 merchandise is acceptable.  In addition, the "best of the 1950s" is allowed, subject to the discretion of the Screening Committee.  Again, the later an item is, the greater the quality must be.

C.  Freshness of Merchandise

Merchandise displayed at the show should not be "show worn".  Save your BEST for WADA.   We want our merchandise to be "market fresh".

REGULATIONS

1.) All merchandise exhibited at a WADA show must be clearly priced.  

2.) "Sale" signs of any kind are not allowed.

3.) Dealer must provide buyer with a pre-printed or stamped sales slips showing the dealer's name and their phone number. (Address and email are optional.)  Each receipt will indicate the date of sale, will provide a brief description* of the item sold (including any marriage and/or restoration), and will include sales tax unless buyer provides tax-exempt information.  (*Note:  The word "table" would not be sufficient on a receipt.  "Oak game table" or "Queen Anne Drop Leaf Table with one repaired leg" would suffice.)

4.) Dealer must charge Wisconsin Sales Tax unless the buyer claims exemption & has a sales tax number.

 5.) Dealer must remit all collected sales tax to the State of Wisconsin in a timely manner.

6.)    At show set-up only exhibiting dealers and the show's auxiliary workers are permitted on the show floor.  All must wear badges provided at check in.

7.)  At entrance to the show & during the show all exhibitors must wear the badges provided at set-up.

GUIDELINES

Some antique interest areas are hard to define.  Some specific areas and their resolve are listed below.  This list is only a sample.  Any questions, contact the Screening Committee Chairperson in advance of set up.

EXAMPLES:                                                            

N/A = Not Acceptable                            

A = Acceptable

Beds cut down into benches                                 N/A 

Tables cut down into coffee tables                        N/A

Guns & edged weapons requiring Federal & State            licenses                                                              N/A

Contemporary arts & crafts                                  N/A

Items newly made of old fabric:  pillows, dolls,               doll quilts, santas, etc.                                         N/A

Reference books on antiques                                    A

New lamp shades on old bases                                 A

Items permanently altered or disfigured to                  create lamps:  decoys, jugs, tins, fruit jars, etc.     N/A

Any furniture marriage                                         N/A

Sterling & silver plate flatware matching service:            Patterns must be 'closed' & fall within cut-off                  dates                                                                     A

China matching service:                                     Patterns must be 'closed' and fall within cut-off dates                                                                     A

Sachets & candles                                                N/A

Refinishing supplies & polishes:                                     3 items displayed per category                                 A

Plate holders                                                        N/A

New lamp shades without lamps                            N/A

Old prints in new frames                                          A

New prints in old frames                                       N/A

  ATTENTION    PROSPECTIVE   WADA  EXHIBITORS:

Please carefully review our guidelines.

Your compliance with these guidelines will ensure continued quality at our WADA shows.