The Collector Inspector inspects the West

Harry Rinker, noted antiques and collectibles expert and the star of

HGTV's "Collector Inspector ," will be filming in Seattle this month. In late October and Early November Rinker will lead a series of classes and seminars on antiquing at Portland State University, in Portland.

(Read more about the Portland classes below)

Harry Rinker returns for additional workshops in Portland
Noted expert will lead four seminars in partnership with PSU beginning October 27

Portland, Ore.--Harry Rinker, a well-known antiques and collectibles expert, will once again partner with Portland State University’s Professional Development Center to teach a series of workshops designed to educate and improve the skills of individuals interested in the burgeoning antiques and collectibles business. Rinker will be in Portland October 27-Novemeber 4 to teach two one-day workshops and two weekend workshops. He led a similar series of workshops on behalf of PSU July 8-15. The courses designed for hobbyists and professionals alike, as well as appraisers, auctioneers, decorators, educators, investors and even museum personnel.
“PSU Extended Studies is here to provide flexible, responsive and innovative programs for lifelong learners,” said Mike Burton, TITLE, PSU Extended Studies. “With this series, we are doing exactly that by responding to a rapidly growing interest in antiques and collectibles.” Intimate class sizes made the first round of seminars earlier this summer highly successful.
According to Rinker, the courses are intended primarily for dealers, prospective dealers and serious collectors. “But, really they will help to improve the skills of just about anyone interested in old things,” he said.
Rinker is host of the popular Home and Garden Television (HGTV) show, The Collector Inspector, the third season of which is filming this month in Seattle, Wash., and Honolulu, Hawaii. Rinker also hosts a weekly radio program, Whatcha Got, which airs on a number of East Coast and Midwest radio stations and also can be heard on the Internet at www.kroc.com. He has authored several books, including the Official Price Guide to Collectibles, and his syndicated columns appear in dozens of periodicals and newspapers throughout the country. He is widely recognized as the country’s leading authority on antiques and collectibles.
The programs planned for October and November include two of the six courses required for earning certified status from the Antiques and Collectibles Dealers Association (ACDA). The other four required courses were among those offered in July. Schedule for the fall series is as follows:
October 27, 10:00 am to 5:30 pm:
Selling Antiques and Collectibles As A Part-Time Stay At Home Business

After examining various home selling methods, this one-day workshop explores in detail where
to find merchandise and buyers. Participants learn how to enhance an object’s value through its description and to properly condition grade it. The seminar concludes with numerous tips on maintaining good customer relations.

October 28, 2004, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm:
Estate [Tag] Sale Workshop: Improving Your Skills

The workshop covers a wide range of topics from proper identification to determining a price that sells objects quickly and fairly. Participants will learn how to advertise more effectively, deal with unruly buyers, and secure objects against theft. This seminar is guaranteed to return its cost several fold at your next estate sale.

November 1-2, 2004, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm:
Business Practices: Secrets to Success:

The two-day workshop focuses on merchandising, financial, legal, and ethical obligations facing every antiques dealer. It begins with tips on how to successfully merchandise antiques and collectibles, then moves to a wide range of financial topics ranging from sales tax considerations to proper record keeping. The seminar continues with a legal section that covers issues of business organization and consumer law. The remainder of the seminar focuses on ethical issues faced by individuals in the trade.


November 3, 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, November 4, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
The Twentieth Century Collectibles Market:

The collectibles market, especially the post-1945 period, is the hottest segment of the antiques and collectibles market, due in large part to its affordability and continued media exposure. Begins with an analysis of the collectibles collector, explores a wide range of topics from a twenty-first century perspective, and ends with a look into the future. Also explores the global market, identifying which American objects can and cannot be sold abroad.
Individual registration for each one-day workshop is $135. Two-day workshops are $245. Registrations are limited in number and will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. All courses will be taught McMenamins Kennedy School in Portland. To register or for more information, contact PSU’s Professional Development Center at 503-725-4820 or toll-free at 800-547-8887, ext. 4820. Or visit www.pdc.pdx.edu/antiques.
About the PDC
The Professional Development Center serves as Portland State University’s primary provider of continuing business education programs in the Portland and Salem Metropolitan areas. The Center was founded in 1982 in response to the needs of the business community for quality professional development programs. The expertise and extensive resources available to the Center have enabled it to serve as a comprehensive provider of business training for management, supervisory, front line and other personnel in the area’s business, industrial, government and not-for-profit communities. Offerings include multi-course programs with certificates of completion, seminars, and customized training. Many courses also offer the option of earning university credit. More information about the PDC, as well as a complete course catalog, is available online at www.pdc.pdx.edu, or call 503-725-4820 (greater Portland area) or 800-547-8887x4820 (outside Portland).