There are many avenues to finding antiques and collectibles at reasonable prices.
First, haunt your local antique stores. Sometimes you will find a surprise hidden in the back of a case. Dealers tend to rotate stock periodically as well, so watch for new items. If an antique in which you are interested has been sitting for a long time and collecting dust, go to the shop proprietor and make an offer. If your antique is consigned or in a rented display case, the shop will have to contact the owner to negotiate on your behalf. Who knows? You may walk out with your treasure.
Hit antique stores when you travel. You might be able to buy a piece of California Pottery for much less money in New York than you would in, say, California. Or, it might be the other way around. The point is that something that is being sold for $200 in your area might be in a store in a different area for $100. That "different area" may be in a different state, or it may be in a town a couple of hours away from your home. If you do not look, you will not find!
Are there antique swap meets or events in your area? These shows run from one day swap meets to ten-day long marathons. They are perfect places to look for deals because the vendors are all usually willing to negotiate on pricing. Admissions run from free to about $20 per entrance. You can find out about these sales by looking in the free trade magazines that antique stores generally have sitting at checkout or by the front door. While you are looking through the magazines, look for discount coupons for entrance fees. Again, if you are traveling, find out if there are going to be any shows where you are going.
Look in your local newspaper's classified section under "Estate Sales." Estate sales are run by either professionals or family members looking to sell a large amount of unwanted merchandise, including furniture, appliances, collectibles and/or antiques, usually out of a house that a family has put up for sale. Many of the ads will list specific lines of antiques or collectibles that are available in hopes of drawing more collectors. There is a big difference between an estate sale and a garage sale. The merchandise at estate sales is typically of a higher quality than merchandise at garage sales. If a professional estate company is running the sale, items will probably be marked at a higher price than those at a "find" at a garage sale, but lower than merchandise being sold at an antique store. Sometimes prices are reduced as the sale goes on over a two or three day period. Be sure to ask about this.
Actually, you can get some fantastic deals at garage sales if you are willing to spend the time going from sale to sale. Many times the people who are throwing garage sales do not know the value of the "stuff" that they are selling. It takes time, but every once in a while, you are going to find a great buy.
Have you ever been to an auction? You might have a really good chance of buying the antique of your desire at an auction, even when bidding against professionals. The pros have to take into account cost of inventory and margins. You do not. You can find out about auctions by looking in your newspaper. Many auction houses have websites where you can look the merchandise over well in advance of the auction to see if you would like to attend. All houses have previews where interested bidders can look and touch the merchandise being offered just prior to the start of the auction.
Another avenue to getting a good deal is through online auctions. Generally, antiques go at about wholesale price. The problem with buying online is that you do not get to touch and see anything until it arrives in a package on your doorstep. You have to rely on the honesty of the seller. Do not forget that you will most likely have to pay shipping when bidding on an item. If you win an antique, seriously consider insuring it before shipping if that is not already required by the seller. That way, if your antique arrives damaged, the shipping company will have to reimburse you for the cost of your item. Please note that insurance does not cover shipping costs; you will not be reimbursed for shipping costs if your antique arrives damaged.
Networking is another great way to find a good buy. Join a club where people collect the same thing that you do. Take an appraising class. Get to know dealers at your local shops. Let people with interests similar to yours know what you are looking for. They may run across just what you want while in pursuit of filling out their own collection.
Enjoy looking for your obsession. Along the road, you are going to meet all sorts of interesting people from different backgrounds. This is part of the fun of collecting.
By the way, for the truly rabid and crazed collector, there are always pawn shops...
