With a glut of fine old furniture and collectibles for sale, dealers say it's a buyer's market

At Worth Galleries in Coral Gables, there's barely room to breathe.

Ralph Lauren side tables, tall bookcases housing fat, dusty books and artsy dining-room sets decorate the path -- usually covered by Persian-style rugs -- where customers can walk through the warehouse-sized antique store.

Above dangle hundreds of glass and crystal chandeliers, which cover what seems to be every inch of ceiling.

The lack of space is a problem for antiques and collectibles stores in South Florida. There's no room for new items because old items are just not selling.

Because the stores aren't moving enough inventory, they can't bring in new items, so people who are desperately trying to sell their antique goods for quick cash are having a difficult time.

But for those who've got the cash, today's antique and collectibles market is a gold mine.

Monica Fidel, a personal-property appraiser in Miami, says this market is suffering just as much as others in the economic downturn but with a few quirks.

The market is flooded with items, Fidel says, so the supply is much greater than the demand. Consumers aren't buying antiques or collectibles unless they have plenty of money -- and they're looking for singular or high-end items.

``People now really are not buying things that are run-of-the-mill,'' she says.

Collectible items that were produced in large numbers, like the German-made Hummel figurines, or fad items like Beanie Babies -- some of which sold for thousands in the '90s -- are hardly selling at all, she says.

``Now you couldn't even give them away,'' she says.

The same goes for antiques and collectibles stores and auction houses.

Loyd Breen, who works for Kodner Galleries in Dania Beach, says the auction house will only take items of the highest quality, as that is what's selling in today's market.

Breen says art -- especially Russian paintings -- and fine French furniture are the bestselling kinds of antiques right now, especially if the item is in good condition.

If a customer can afford to invest in a work of art or luxurious furniture, he says now is the time to buy.

``Good antiques are always going up in value,'' Breen says.

Jewelry is also selling quickly now, says Jim Gall, an auctioneer with Miami-based Auction Company of America.

Items that are easy to handle, like jewelry, china and goods made of precious metals and crystal, are selling faster than bulkier items like furniture, Gall says. And prices have plummeted for antiques and collectibles, he says, making this a buyer's market.

``Now is the time to take advantage of the weakened economy,'' he says.

Other kinds of collectibles markets, like comic books, have also had more prospective sellers than buyers.

Tate Ottati, of Tate's Comics in Lauderhill, says he has recently experienced a surge of people trying to sell their comic books, graphic novels, manga and action figures.

Unfortunately, Ottati says, most patrons don't get much -- or anything at all -- for their worn books and used figurines.

``They expect to get awesome prices for junk,'' he says.

For top-dollar sells, make sure the books and figures feature a well-known hero and are nearly mint condition and in the original packaging, he says.

But for many, parting with antiques and collectibles that have become family heirlooms is difficult.

Fidel says that if you don't need the money, it may be a good idea to hold on to your item, as it could sell better once the economy picks up.

She also recommends doing research through eBay and other online sites, which can give potential sellers better clues as to what's selling today.

``You'll start to realize that many things are selling at very low levels or are not selling at all,'' she says.

Fausto Lalangui, a 10-year employee of Worth Galleries, says the store's charming chandeliers are what's keeping the store afloat.

Although it's unclear whether the delicate light fixtures are being purchased for investment or aesthetic reasons, they seem to be surviving the failing market.

Light reflects from the crystal chandeliers onto the brown Versace couch as Lalangui looks up.

``You'd be surprised at the difference a light makes in a room,'' he says.