Amati and Bygone Times: A Detailed Look

Both Amati and Bygone Times are well-regarded for offering unique items to collectors, but their focuses and methods of engagement are quite distinct. Below, we compare these two businesses in terms of their product offerings, customer experience, and market positioning.

1. Company Overview and Market Focus

Amati:

Amati is an auction house specializing in stringed musical instruments, including violins, violas, cellos, and bows. They cater to musicians, collectors, and investors, offering both affordable and specialist auctions. Amati’s reputation has been built over decades of experience and expertise, creating a trusted space for buying and selling high-end musical instruments. They hold regular auctions throughout the year, with a broad price range suitable for novice musicians to internationally recognized soloists.

Bygone Times:

Bygone Times is a physical antique market located in Chorley, UK. It offers a wide selection of antiques and collectibles, including furniture, vintage clothing, memorabilia, and home decor. Bygone Times is unique in that it provides a hands-on shopping experience, with over 500 stalls spread across five floors. This makes it an ideal destination for those looking for vintage treasures, collectibles, and unique home furnishings, offering a tactile experience for antique enthusiasts.

2. Product Range and Specializations

Amati:

• Specialization in Stringed Instruments: Amati’s core business revolves around stringed instruments, from beginner models to rare, high-end antiques. The auction house offers a range of violins, violas, cellos, and bows suitable for musicians of all skill levels.
• Auction Types: Amati hosts two types of auctions: Affordable Auctions (with instruments priced from £100+) and Specialist Auctions (for instruments over £5,000).
• Instrument Archive: The company provides access to a vast archive of over 30,000 price records and detailed biographies of over 13,000 makers, making it an essential resource for anyone looking to invest in or sell stringed instruments.
• Valuations and Expertise: Amati offers online and in-person valuations, with experts available for consultations.

Bygone Times:

• Antique Furniture and Memorabilia: Bygone Times offers a broad range of vintage furniture, such as tables, chairs, storage units, and lighting, alongside collectibles like coins, toys, and military memorabilia.
• Vintage Clothing and Jewelry: The market specializes in vintage fashion and period jewelry, allowing shoppers to browse unique accessories and attire from past decades.
• Wide Variety of Antiques: Bygone Times has a comprehensive offering across several categories, catering to both collectors and those seeking specific items to enhance their home decor.
• Hands-On Experience: Customers can view, touch, and engage with items in person, which is a significant advantage over online-only platforms.

3. Shopping Experience and Customer Engagement

Amati:

• Online Auctions: Amati provides an online auction platform, which allows customers to bid on instruments from anywhere in the world. Their website is user-friendly, offering detailed product descriptions, high-resolution images, and auction guides to assist with the buying process.
• Bidding and Viewing: Bidders can preview upcoming auctions, register for events, and place bids directly on the website. Amati also provides auction alerts, ensuring customers never miss an opportunity.
• Personalized Services: The company offers consultations and valuations both online and in person, allowing clients to get expert advice on buying or selling instruments.

Bygone Times:

• Physical Antique Market: Bygone Times provides an immersive experience where customers can walk through its 5-floor market, interact with antique dealers, and discover items from over 500 stalls. The hands-on experience is ideal for collectors who enjoy browsing and finding hidden treasures.
• Customer Interaction: Shoppers can speak directly with stallholders, which allows for better negotiation and personalized shopping advice.
• Cafes and Events: Bygone Times also hosts events and has cafes where visitors can relax and spend an entire day exploring the antiques market, making it a social outing as well as a shopping experience.

4. Pricing and Market Positioning

Amati:

• Price Range: Amati offers a wide range of prices. Affordable auctions allow customers to purchase quality instruments at lower price points, while specialist auctions cater to high-end, rare instruments with price tags that can exceed £100,000.
• Investment Opportunity: Many of the instruments sold at Amati are viewed as investment pieces, given their historical significance and craftsmanship. Amati positions itself as a market leader for high-quality stringed instruments, and its auctions attract serious collectors and investors alike.

Bygone Times:

• Diverse Price Range: Bygone Times provides a variety of price points, from budget-friendly vintage items to high-end antiques. The price range varies based on the rarity and condition of the items on offer.
• Market for Collectors and Décor Shoppers: While some of Bygone Times’ items may appeal to collectors of rare antiques, the market also caters to shoppers looking for decorative home items and furniture at reasonable prices.
• Affordability and Accessibility: Bygone Times offers something for everyone, whether you are a seasoned collector or just starting to explore the world of antiques.

5. Accessibility and Global Reach

Amati:

• Global Reach: Since Amati operates primarily through online auctions, it has a global audience, allowing collectors and musicians from around the world to participate in auctions and access valuable resources like instrument pricing and maker archives.
• Online Auctions: Customers can access Amati’s auctions from anywhere, providing a convenient and flexible shopping experience for international clients.

Bygone Times:

• Local Shopping Experience: Bygone Times is focused on the local market, providing an in-person experience for shoppers who can visit the store in Chorley, UK. While their physical presence gives them an edge in providing an interactive experience, their reach is limited to those who can physically visit the market or purchase items in person.
• UK-Focused: Bygone Times primarily serves the UK market, though it may have some international customers who travel to the centre or purchase through their website.

6. Conclusion

In summary, Amati and Bygone Times are both excellent resources for antique lovers, though they cater to different audiences and provide distinct shopping experiences.

• Amati is a specialized auction house focused on stringed musical instruments, offering both affordable and high-end auctions for violins, violas, cellos, and bows. Their comprehensive online platform, including online valuations and auction alerts, makes them ideal for collectors and musicians looking to buy or sell rare instruments from anywhere in the world.
• Bygone Times, on the other hand, offers an immersive in-person experience for shoppers who enjoy discovering a wide variety of antique furniture, vintage clothing, and collectibles. With over 500 stalls, it’s a must-visit destination for antique enthusiasts, allowing them to explore unique items and interact directly with dealers.

Ultimately, the choice between Amati and Bygone Times depends on your specific interests: whether you are looking for rare musical instruments and auction opportunities or prefer the tactile experience of browsing an antique market in person. Both companies excel in offering high-quality antiques and fostering unique shopping experiences tailored to their target audiences.