'Treasure Hunter Road Show' Rolls Into Town To Appraise Your Valuables
SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - If you love watching the Antique Road Show or American Pickers, you can find out what your loot is really worth over the next few days -- as the Treasure Hunter Road Show is in town.
WWJ's Kathryn Larson invited The Treasure Hunters stopped to the CBS Detroit studios in Southfield to show us first hand what items are hot right now.
"Antiques, collectibles, guitars are really good, a la Gibson. You get around the Detroit area and we get a lot of memorabilia, automobile type stuff," said spokesman Craig Bowers, who is also an accredited appraiser and knows a real from a fake.
And unlike those shows you see on tv, you won't just find out what your stuff is worth, you'll actually get paid on the spot.
"We use the word appraisal very loosely because we really don't do that. We basically tell you a fair market value of what you have and make you an offer on it," said Bowers.
The antique items they buy don't just sit in a warehouse either. They go to a second home, often times to a collector.
It was finally time for us to put Bower's skills to the test. While WWJ's Marie Osborne was on air, her three-piece Lenox tea cup set underwent an up close inspection. Bowers said it starts by turning the porcelain inlaid silver pieces over.
"There sometimes even can be a book written on just a few marks on the bottom of the piece," he said.
So what's it worth? Watch the video above to see if Osborne struck gold, or if her heirloom antiques are staying in the family.
And if you want to experience the expert appraisal, Bowers said the event is free and they have plenty of cash to offer for your antiques or collectibles.
The Treasure Hunter Road Show is taking place at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center in Livonia, 17123 Laurel Park Drive, and at the Courtyard in Ann Arbor, 3205 Boardwalk Drive.
Hours are Thursday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at both locations.
