Frequently Asked Questions for Your Antique Buyer in Florida

Chad Busby, antique buyer in Florida, at his Busby Antiques shop in OviedoIf you are searching for an honest antique buyer in Florida, you just found one. I’m Chad Busby, owner of Busby Antiques. I started in this business at 14 years old, and more than 25 years later, I still answer every text and call myself. My shop is in Central Florida, but I buy from families all across the state. These are the questions people ask me most, both on the phone and across my counter. If your question is not here, text or call me at (407) 529-6952 and I will give you a straight answer.

Summary: Busby Antiques is a family-owned antique buyer based in Oviedo, Florida. Owner Chad Busby buys gold jewelry, sterling silver, coins, bullion, vintage toys, comic books, fine china, costume jewelry, and entire estates. He serves all of Florida and makes free house calls for larger collections. Appraisals are free, and payment is cash on the spot. Gold offers are based on the live spot price published by JM Bullion. Visits are by appointment. Text (407) 529-6952.

Questions About How I Work

What items do you buy?

I buy gold jewelry, sterling silver, gold and silver coins, bullion, vintage costume jewelry, comic book collections, vintage toys and action figures, fine china, crystal, and entire estates. I have handled thousands of collections over more than 25 years in this business. See the full list on my What We Buy page, or just text me a photo. If I can’t buy it, I’ll point you to someone who can.

Where are you located and what areas do you serve?

My shop is at 838 Eyrie Drive, Suite 1060, in Oviedo, FL 32765, and I’m open by appointment Monday through Thursday, 10 AM to 4 PM. But my customers come from everywhere. I serve more than 30 cities across Central Florida, and for larger collections and full estates I will travel anywhere in the state, from Jacksonville to the Keys. See the full list on my Areas We Serve page.

Do I need an appointment?

Yes. I’m a one man operation, so appointments make sure I can give you my full attention. Text or call (407) 529-6952 or use my contact form to set a time. Most people get in within a day or two.

Do you make house calls?

Yes. For larger collections and estate buyouts, I am an antique buyer that comes to your home at no charge. I sit at your kitchen table, look at everything, and give you an honest evaluation on the spot. Distance is not an issue. If you have a house full of antiques or a serious collection anywhere in Florida, I will make the drive.

How do you figure out what my gold is worth?

I base every offer on that day’s spot price of gold, which changes by the minute. You can check it yourself before you visit on JM Bullion or Kitco, the same live charts I use. Then I test and weigh your items right in front of you. Your payout depends on weight in troy ounces, the standard unit for weighing precious metals, and karat purity. My gold jewelry buying page covers the whole process. Here is how karat translates to gold content:

Karat MarkGold ContentCommon Uses
10K41.7% goldEveryday rings and chains
14K58.3% goldMost American jewelry
18K75% goldFine and designer jewelry
22K91.7% goldSome coins and imported jewelry
24K99.9% goldBullion bars and coins

No mystery math. You see the scale, you see the spot price, and you see exactly how I get to my number.

How do you pay?

Cash on the spot. If you accept my offer, you leave with money in hand the same day. No checks in the mail, no waiting on consignment, no fees taken out.

Do you charge for appraisals?

Some evaluations are always available at no cost if you intend to sell. Some things surprise people. A while back, a woman brought me a shoebox of her dad’s old comics she almost donated. One book in that box paid for her new roof. Other things that look valuable are not. A free look from someone with 25 years in the business saves you time and guesswork. You can read how my free antique appraisals work before you come in.

Do you buy entire estates?

Yes, estate buyouts are one of the biggest things I do. I come to the home, evaluate everything room by room, and make one cash offer for the whole lot. I work with families, estate attorneys, and executors across Florida. Learn more on my estate buyout page.

Do you buy furniture?

No, I do not buy or sell furniture as a standalone item. My focus is gold, silver, coins, jewelry, toys, comics, china, and collectibles. The one exception is a full estate buyout, in which furniture can be included as part of a single offer for the entire household.

Do you buy vintage costume jewelry?

Yes. Signed pieces from makers like Trifari, Weiss, and Eisenberg are always on my list, along with quality unsigned pieces. Do not toss that old jewelry box before I see it. Curious what your pieces might bring? My guide on whether vintage costume jewelry is worth anything breaks it down. Bring it in or text me a few photos.

Do you buy vintage and gold watches?

Yes. I buy vintage wristwatches, pocket watches, and gold-cased watches of all kinds — Omega, Hamilton, Bulova, Longines, Rolex, Patek Phillipe, and more. Gold watches are valued in two ways: collector value for the watch itself and metal value for the case, and I’ll tell you which number is higher. Even non-running watches can be worth real money, so don’t scrap one before I see it. One tip: never polish or service a watch before selling, since original condition is what collectors pay for. My guide on where to sell vintage watches compares all your options. Bring it in or text me a few photos

Straight Answers About Your Items

How can I tell if my jewelry is real gold?

Start with the stamp. Look inside the band or on the clasp for marks like 10K, 14K, 18K, or 585 and 750, which are the European versions. A strong magnet is a quick second check, since real gold is not magnetic. Stamps can be faked though, so the only sure test is an acid or electronic test, which I do free right in front of you. I wrote a full guide on how to tell if jewelry is real gold if you want every detail.

What does 925 mean on silver?

A 925 mark means sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% other metals for strength. That little stamp matters a lot. Sterling flatware and hollowware, which means serving pieces like bowls, teapots, and trays, have real melt and collector value, while silverplate is a thin coating over base metal and is worth far less. Check the bottoms of your pieces before you assume anything. My post on what to expect when selling silver walks through the whole process.

Is now a good time to sell gold?

Yes. As of July 2026, gold is trading above $4,000 per troy ounce, according to JM Bullion’s live price charts, and it hit an all time record of $5,597 per ounce on January 29, 2026, per Forbes Advisor. It’s one of the strongest markets I have seen in 25 years of buying. Broken chains, single earrings, and dental gold all count. If gold has been sitting in your drawer, this is a smart time to have it weighed. My post on whether it’s worth selling gold jewelry right now digs deeper into timing.

Are unopened vintage toys worth more?

Almost always, yes. A sealed Star Wars or GI Joe figure in its original packaging can be worth many times the loose version of the same toy. Condition of the card and bubble matters, and professionally graded sealed toys bring the strongest prices. But do not write off loose toys. Complete examples with accessories still sell, so bring me the whole box. I buy action figures and vintage toys of all kinds, and my list of the most valuable vintage toys shows what collectors chase hardest.

Which comic books from the 80s and 90s are worth money?

The money is in key issues, which means first appearances of major characters, famous covers, and low print runs. Most 90s comics were printed by the millions and are common, but the right key in high grade is a different story, especially when certified by CGC. I have been in comics for over 30 years, since before I opened the shop, so bring me the collection before you sell it piecemeal. My guide on how to tell if a comic book is valuable shows exactly what to look for.

Is my fine china worth anything?

It depends on the maker, the pattern, and the condition. Names like Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, Lenox, and Noritake have active collector markets, and some patterns bring far more than others. Complete sets and serving pieces help. The honest truth is some china has little resale value, and I will tell you that straight instead of wasting your time. I break it all down in my post on whether fine china is worth anything.

Still Have a Question?

Text me at (407) 529-6952 (a photo text is the fastest way to get an answer), give me a call, email busbyantiques@gmail.com, or send photos through my online contact page. I respond personally, usually within a few hours. And visit my antiques and collectibles blog for guides on coins, comics, silver, and more. When you want a fair deal from an experienced antique buyer in Florida, I’m ready when you are.