FAQs
Navigation/Site Use Questions
How can I change my username/display name?
Login. Look for “My Account” on the top right side of the website. Select the “Account details”. You should now be able to change your username/display name, password and email address. Just click on the “Save changes” button when completed.
I forgot my password, what do I do now?
Select the “Login” on the top right side of the website. Look for the “forgot password” under the Login information. Select it and enter your email address. Click on the “Reset password” button. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.
How can I change the email address on my profile?
Make sure that you are logged into Kovels.com. Click on the “My Account” tab at the top of the webpage. Select the “Account details”. You should now be able to change your username/display name, password and email address. Just click on the “Save changes” button when completed.
I entered personal information when I registered. Will it be publicly displayed?
No, personal information such as your name and address will not be displayed for other members to see. However, if you have used your email address as your username and you post to the forum, Kovels.com users will be able to see your email address. If you prefer to use another username, you may change your username in the My Account section of the site. Simply log in, go to My Account and then Account details.
What is the “Share” button on many Kovels.com pages?
The Share button allows you to share content from Kovels.com with other people through a variety of web services, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and many more. For instance, you can quickly post links to Kovels.com articles on your Facebook profile using the Share button.
General
What do most people do when they’re on Kovels.com?
Kovels.com is a great source for information about all kinds of antiques and collectibles, curated by experts. On the website, you can identify and get price information on your antique or collectible. Use our exclusive identification guides and our pottery, porcelain, and silver marks database. Learn the best way to buy or sell antiques or collectibles, settle an estate, or downsize. Read thousands of reader’s questions answered by experts. Find the latest collecting news and information. Subscribe to our free weekly e-newsletter Kovels Komments.
Is it free to sign up for Kovels.com?
Yes, you can post in our community calendar, directory, and forum. You can also get a free membership trial and you can subscribe to our free weekly e-newsletter Kovel’s Komments. To get more in depth information, we offer membership subscriptions.
Can I print selections from your price guide or other parts of the site?
Yes, you can–for your own personal use. But, much of the information is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced for further distribution.
Can you refer me to appraisers, dealers, antique shows, etc.?
The Kovels do not provide individual referrals or lists. However, you can check our business directory to see if there are any listings there that might help you. You can also check our buy/sell guides.
Can anyone post a directory listing?
Yes. Anyone can post a directory listing, and it’s free.
Are the businesses in the directory listings endorsed by Kovels?
No, the businesses in the directory listing are not endorsed by Kovels.
What is the Community Calendar? Who is it meant to serve? Where are the events?
The Community Calendar is designed to be used by all Kovels.com users. Anyone who has registered with us can post antique-related events. If you are organizing an event or will be attending an event, please post it on the calendar so other Kovels users can learn about it!
Accessing Content
Where can I read Kovels experts’ answers to readers’ questions?
If you’d like to read our experts’ answers to readers’ questions about their antiques, go to the Collector’s Corner tab and select Collector’s Questions.
I can’t access all of the content on Kovels.com. What’s wrong?
To access all of the information on Kovels.com, you need a membership. Visit this page to subscribe.
Is there somewhere I can go to discuss questions about antiques and collectibles?
Yes! Feel free to participate in discussions about all sorts of antiques and collectibles in our forum. It’s free and you will find a wealth of knowledge. You can find our forums in the Collector’s Corner tab. To post a comment, click on “Ask questions” then follow the prompts to register or log in. You must register through the forum page, not on the main registration.
How do I stop the weekly ezine, Kovels Komments, from being emailed to me?
Just click on the “Unsubscribe” link located at the end of each Kovels Komments. Or, if you are a member or a registered user, you can go to Kovels.com, log in, and click on the email settings tab. There, you can uncheck your Kovels Komments subscription. You can also go to the “Contact Us” link at the bottom of the page, select “Customer Service,” and ask them to unsubscribe you.
Will “Look For Your Mark” continue to be updated?
Yes, the database of marks will continue to be updated periodically.
Where does your information in “Look For Your Mark” come from?
Information in “Look For Your Mark” comes from Kovels’ Dictionary of Marks, Kovels’ New Dictionary of Marks, American Silver Marks and other publications.
What should I do if I can’t find my mark in your database?
If you can’t find your mark in our database, marks are also found in “Readers Q&A on Marks” “Articles on Marks” and “Identification guides.” In addition, you can do a text based or image search of a site through the magnifying glass on the top right of the screen.
What if the mark on my plate looks very similar to one of the marks in your database, but not exactly the same?
Your plate was probably made by the same company. However, unless the mark is identical, you cannot use it to date your antique. Once you have identified a maker, you can sometimes find other sources to help you date your specific mark. Manufacturers that are still in business may even post information about their marks on their own websites.
Search
How do I search Kovels.com?
When you click on the magnifying glass on the top right of the screen, a search box will appear. You can enter either text or images into this box. Once the search is complete, you can see the results of the search organized by category.
How can I make my searches more specific?
The more search terms you put into your search, the more specific your results will be. If you’re overwhelmed by the huge number of results that appear when you search, try adding more search terms or more specific search terms. For example, a search for “England plate” will probably return more results than “Warwick plate” and a search for “19th-century Warwick plate” will be even more specific. But be careful. Your search will only return results that contain the exact words you choose. So it’s possible that there are examples of Warwick plates from the 19th century … but if they don’t contain the words “19th century” in the article, they won’t show up in your search for “19th century Warwick plate”.
Price Guide
Why don’t you include pictures of all the items listed in the price guide?
We report on tens of thousands of items every year and post multiple years of our price guides. We gather the information from a variety of sources, and pictures are not always available. Still, the price guides offer hundreds of color photos in a variety of categories. All of our pricing information has been carefully reviewed by experts, unlike other sources on the internet. Plus, websites that are solely dedicated to selling antiques and collectibles MUST post pictures of all the items up for sale–and the prices shown are always asking prices, not the prices for which pieces actually sold. Nearly all of the prices in our guides are actual sale prices (a few are asking prices for pieces that may have sold for more or less than the asking prices).
If a price in the price guide is more than a few years old, is it still relevant to me?
Yes. It shows you trends and also provides historical information on prices. That can be helpful in handling some legal situations, such as valuing items in an estate.
Why are these prices important to me?
There is no set retail price for many of the antiques that you’ll have the opportunity to buy. Therefore, the prices of similar items sold in the past are a significant indicator to help you establish the fair price of an item. Of course, every situation is unique. The item’s condition, changes in the market, etc. will all affect the final price of an antique. Note that the prices listed here are actual sale prices or asking prices.
Store/Payment
I am interested in buying an item listed in the price guide on your website. I’d like to see a picture. Where can I buy the item shown on the website?
The Kovels do not sell or buy antiques. The items listed on the website were sold at auction, shops, shows, or flea markets during the year noted.
I just ordered Kovels Knowledge which includes a digital subscription to your newsletter, “Kovels on Antiques and Collectibles,” but I have decided that I prefer a print subscription. Can you switch my Kovels Knowledge membership to a print subscription for “Kovels on Antiques and Collectibles?”
We’re sorry, but we cannot switch your Kovels Knowledge subscription to the print subscription. We can, however, cancel your Kovels Knowledge subscription and place your order for a print subscription. If your Kovels Knowledge subscription payment has been processed, you will be issued a refund, but we cannot apply this refund to the print subscription. Print subscriptions take 4-6 weeks to process, so it will take about a month for you to receive your first issue.
Can I get a hard copy of a download? I didn’t realize that I have to print out my own copy.
We’re sorry, but a “download” means you are purchasing a publication to download to your own computer to read, print or store as you choose. We cannot substitute a hard copy. If you are dissatisfied and would like the printed version, please contact customer service at customerservice@kovels.com. But, be aware that we do not sell printed versions of some downloads.
Can I sell your books in my store? Can I purchase your books wholesale from you?
Yes, you can sell the Kovels’ books in your store. We do not sell our books wholesale, but our publishers do. Please email your interest to PR@Kovels.com to obtain the contact information. We have two publishers, so please make sure you let us know which books you are interested in selling.
Do you accept electronic payments?
Yes, we accept electronic payments through one of our payment processors, PayPal or Stripe.
Can I pay for the Kovels.com Premium access by check? I don’t want to use my credit card online.
It is possible to pay by check. Send your payment to Kovels, 30799 Pinetree Rd., #305, Cleveland, OH 44124. However, if you pay by check you will not have access to your online subscription until we receive and process your check, which could take a few weeks.
Digital Subscriptions
Can you cancel a monthly subscription?
Yes, go to “My Account” on the top right of the page. In “My Account” go to ” My Subscriptions”. There you will see the yellow cancel button.
Can you reactivate a monthly subscription?
Yes, go to “My Account” on the top right of the page. In “My Account” go to ” My Subscriptions”. There you will see the yellow reactivate button.
Can you upgrade a Kovels Knowledge or Kovels Digital Subscription to All Access?
Yes, go to “My Account” on the top right of the page. In “My Account” go to ” My Subscriptions”.
Can you Renew an annual subscription?
Yes, go to “My Account” on the top right of the page. In “My Account” go to ” My Subscriptions”. There you will see the yellow renew button.
If I cancel will I get a refund?
For monthly subscribers, cancelling stops the monthly recurring charge but doesn’t not refund the transaction for the current billing period. You can continue to access your subscription until the end of the then current billing period.
For annual subscribers, contact Customerservice@kovels.com. Refunds will be based on the monthly recurring charge not the 50% discounted annual rates. No refunds will be given after 5 months of use. You can continue to access your subscription until the end of the then current billing period based on your refund date.
Is there a way to turn off auto renewals?
Auto renewals for subscriptions can be turned off by going to “My Account” then “My Subscriptions”. There you will see the green “Auto Renew” button.
I was a free registered user in the “old” Kovels.com. What can I access in the new Kovels.com?
You can access our updated business directory, events calendar, forums, comments and some areas of the website. The price guide is now included in our Detailed Kovels Guides available as a monthly or annual subscription.
Has anything changed for subscribers to Kovels Komments, Kovels’ weekly email?
Nothing has changed. You will still receive Komments weekly in your inbox.
Print Subscription
I received an invoice for a print subscription, but I never ordered a print subscription. I thought the sample issue was free.
The sample issue IS FREE. However, the sample issue request is a subscription offer. If you are not completely satisfied with your sample issue, and if you do not want to continue to receive more issues, you must return the invoice with the word “cancel” written on it. The sample issue is yours to keep. Our policy is to send only what a customer has ordered, and we never send anything unsolicited.
I received an invoice, but I didn’t receive my sample issue. I don’t want to pay for something I haven’t seen yet. What’s going on?
Our policy is to send the sample issue first, with the invoice to follow, but occasionally the invoice arrives first. We certainly understand why you are concerned and apologize for the inconvenience. If you decide to continue with the subscription, please send your payment in only after you have had ample time to decide. If you decide that a subscription is not for you, just mark “cancel” on the invoice and return it in the envelope provided. The sample issue is yours to keep, no matter what you decide.
I sent in my payment recently, but I just received an invoice. Did you get my payment?
It can take several weeks for your payment to be fully processed. More than likely, the invoice crossed in the mail with your payment. If you think too much time has passed and there has been an error, contact us at Kovels@SFSDayton.com. Please make sure that you provide your full address, including your zip code, with any print subscription inquiry.
Can you tell me my expiration date?
Your expiration date is printed on the label of each newsletter you receive in the mail. Any changes to your subscription, including renewals, can take 4-6 weeks to go into effect. Please keep this in mind when checking the expiration date on your label.
Can I submit a change of address?
Yes. You can easily make any address change for any of our publications by going to Kovels.com and clicking the “Contact Us“ link on the bottom of every web page. Once you are on the “Contact Us” page, fill out the information and select “Print Subscriptions.” Any change to your print subscription takes 4-6 weeks to go into effect.
I live in another country and tried to order the free sample issue subscription online, but I couldn’t.
The free sample issue subscription offer is not available outside of the United States. We also no longer offer print newsletter subscriptions outside of the U.S. However, if you are a Kovels Knowledge or All-Access member, we include a digital subscription to the newsletter. You can order the digital subscription online by clicking on the “Shop Kovels” tab and following the menu from there.
I live at one address for six months of the year and at another address for the other six months. Can I submit dates for you to keep track of my addresses?
No. You must submit your change of address each time it changes. Remember to include your “old” address and your “new” address, with zip codes. Each change of address takes 4-6 weeks to go into effect. It is impossible for us to keep track of any subscribers’ winter and summer addresses. It is your responsibility to keep us informed of your address changes.
I just received a newsletter in the mail. I didn’t order it. What’s going on?
If you received a newsletter in the mail, then you or someone you know ordered it. The Kovels do not send the newsletter unsolicited. If you want us to cancel the subscription, please provide your full address and zip code to customer service or return the invoice with “cancel” written on it.
I am a print subscriber and I just tried to access the paid content of your website. Do I have to purchase something to do this?
Yes. To access paid information on the website, you need to purchase a membership– either Kovels Knowledge or All-Access. Included is a digital edition of the newsletter, and access to our 46 years of newsletter archives including interesting Q & A’s about antiques and collectibles, sale reports, tips, warnings about fakes and reproductions, and market reports.
Store Help and FAQs
Can I Pay by Check? I Don’t Feel Comfortable Using My Credit Card Online.
It is possible to place an order by calling us at 800-571-1555, Monday–Friday 9:00 am to 5 pm. Please note, your order will not ship until we have received and processed your check. For more information on the security of our site, go here.
Order Status / Shipping
How do I check the status of my order?
To check the status of your order, first make sure you’re logged in. Next, click on the “My Account” tab in the top right of the webpage. Look for “Orders” and click on it.
What do I do if an item is missing from my shipment?
If an item is missing from your shipment, please contact customer service as soon as possible through the contact us form on the bottom of the website for or by by calling us at 800-303-1996, Monday–Friday 9:00 am to 5 pm.
How do I find out about shipping costs?
You can calculate the price of shipping the shopping cart section of the Kovels.com store. After putting the items you would like to purchase in your shopping cart, scroll to the bottom of the shopping cart page and look for the “Shipping Options.” These shipping charges match your registered address. You will have the option on the next screen to ship to a different address, and new shipping charges will be calculated before the order is placed.
Will you ship internationally?
Yes, we do ship to international locations.
When will my order ship?
Please see each individual item page for more information on the availability of each item. Also, after placing your order, go the “My Orders” in the “My Account” section of the website to see your order.
Billing/Returns
Do I have to pay sales tax?
You only have to pay sales tax if you are located in the same state as our warehouse, in this case, Ohio.
Will my purchase be charged to my credit card immediately after I have made it?
Your credit card will be charged within 24 hours of placing your order.
I have a question regarding my charges:
Go to the “My Account” section of the site and click on “Orders.” You may compare your order history on our website, with your financial records. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact customer service through the contact form or by calling us at 800-303-1996, Monday–Friday 9:00 am to 5 pm.
What is your return policy?
If you are dissatisfied with your purchase for any reason you may return new, unopened items sold through our store within 30 days for a full refund. You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of returning your item(s).
Before mailing your product back be sure to contact us for the proper return authorization, then mail the product to:
Kovels Online Store
Att. RETURNS
23600 Mercantile Rd; Suite-H
Beachwood, Ohio 44122-5949
Security
Kovels.com is committed to making sure that every purchase made on our website is secure. We take security seriously and our site has an Extended Validation SSL certificate – the highest assurance certificate available. You’ll notice that your browser address bar turns green when making a purchase with us. This green address bar is an exclusive right of websites with an Extend Validation SSL certificate and indicates that the website is secure.
Forum
Forum Guidelines include:
– Do not post spam, advertisement, or any kind of self-promotion
– Do not post copyright-infringing material
– Do not post anything offensive including links or images
– Do not post anyone’s personal information, including your own
– Remain respectful of other members in the forum
How to Create a New Message on the Forum
– In the “Collector’s Corner” tab, click on “Forums.”
– To register, click on “Ask Question,” a yellow button on the right side of the screen, and a new page will appear
– The new page will say, “Register” or “Login.” If you have already registered, click “Login.” If not, register for a free account
– Click on “Ask a question”
– Fill in the “Title” of the question, chose an appropriate category, write a description of the question, and add an image if desired
How to Post a Reply to an Existing Message
The easiest way is to post a reply to an existing message is to click on the message that you wanted to respond, scroll down to the bottom of the page, and type in the box which says, “Write your answer.”
How to Changing the Appearance of Text
Above the large white box that you type the text of your post into you’ll see a row of small, rectangular buttons. The button with “B” on it will allow you to make your text bold, “i” allows you to italicize your text, and “u” underlines your text. Below the buttons you will see two drop-down menus; these menus allow you to change the color and size of your text. To use these functions, first type your text into the large white box. Now all you need to do is highlight the text that you would like to manipulate and press one of the buttons described above.
How to Add an Image to your Post
If you are posting a message, you will have the option to insert an image underneath the word “Description.” There is a button which says, “Insert image.” Select the image file, select “upload & insert” and you’re all set.
Note: Images must be in .jpg, .png, or .gif formats.
How to Navigate Between Different Categories in the Forum
If you go to the forum homepage you’ll see a list of all the forum sections, Pottery and Porcelain, Glass Jewelry, etc. Click on any of these to visit that section of the forum. If you want to visit a different section of the forum, go back to the forum home page. Do so by pressing the back button on your browser, or look for the “Forum” button and press that.
How to View Only the Most Recent Posts
If you are looking for the most recent answer to a question, first, click on the specific question. Then, scroll down to the beginning of the answers. At the top, you will have a menu. Click the “Newest” tab to see the most recent answers.
How to View All of My Posts
Click on “My Account” on the top right side of the screen. On the far left column you’ll find a “My Posts” button. Click on this and you will be able to view all of your posts.
How to Report a Post that Violates the Forum Guidelines
If you see a post that violates our guidelines, please report it to customerservice@kovels.com.
Directory Help and Guidelines
All sources in the Directory were posted by the listed contact or by our editor and have been edited to fit our format. Addresses change frequently, and we continually update the information on this site. We welcome additions, corrections and new listings. This information may be used in some of our books, in our monthly newsletter Kovels’ on Antiques and Collectibles and other Kovels’ forums regardless of medium. Inclusion on this site should not be considered an endorsement of any kind by Kovels Antiques Inc.
How to Create a New Directory Listing
– Locate the “How to Buy or Sell” tab near the top of the webpage and click on “Business Directory”
– Click on the yellow “Submit new listing” button, which will take you to a page to register or log in.
– Once registered and logged in, click again on “How to Buy or Sell” and “Business Directory.”
– Click on the yellow “Submit new listing” button, which will bring you to a page to add the title, description, select a category and include all your contact information.
-Click “Submit the new listing” to finalize the post. The listing is complete and will appear in the directory after it is reviewed by our editor.
How to edit a directory listing
– Search for your listing in the directory.
– Once you locate your listing, click on it.
– If you posted the listing, you will get a menu at the top right corner.
– Click on the pencil icon to edit the listing.
Events Calendar Help & Guidelines
How to Add an Event
– Locate the “Collector’s Corner” tab and select the “Event Calendar”
– Click on the yellow “Add an event” button
– Enter the information for the event
– Don’t forget to select the appropriate category so website users can easily find your event
– Once you have completed the form, click the “Submit Event” button to complete your post.
– You have successfully submitted your calendar entry! Our staff will now approve your entry as soon as possible, but please be patient. This process can take a day or two and sometimes even longer.
Please note: Kovels.com only lists events of interest to collectors and reserves the right to edit or remove listings. Inclusion on this site should not be considered an endorsement of any kind by Kovels Antiques, Inc.
