Looking for
a specific item to complete that collection you have?
---Or for a special gift for a collector (or would-be
collector)?Want
a great looking silver tray to serve you famous
cheesecake?
Need 6 matching
individual casseroles for you next dinner party?
Don't know where to
start?
One can always go to the
department stores at the mall. And, there are literally
tens of thousands of little specialty stores popping up.
But, if you want an item with character and
history---something that marks YOUR personality---and
have fun looking for it, then try shopping where millions
shop today......thrift stores, flea markets and online
auctions. Here is just a "tiny" example of some
of the great finds I have made:
- A pre-1850s
ironstone coffee pot. No stains or cracks. All
the appropriate and stamped marks of a highly
sought after maker. Found in a small charity
thrift store for $15.00.
- An 1890s etruscan
revival 9K yellow gold brooch with granulated
design. No damage and no repair. In an antique
mall for $7.00.
- A 1930s signed
Suzie Cooper 10" plate with a turkey in the
center. Found at Goodwill for $2.99.
- A Smiley Pig cookie
jar with fold trim and florals. At a flea market
for $100.
- 3 pieces Majolica
with mauve interior, roses and pansy design,
impressed marks. At a flea market for $3.00 each
because they had a flake chip on bottom rim.
- Numeous old
yellowware mixing bowls. Some with brown &
white bankds. Some with colbalt blue decoration.
Various sizes--4" to 14". Found at flea
markets from $1.00 to $30.00.
- Hand-hammered
copper with brass wash Roycroft letter holder.
Mint condition. Signed on bottom. Found at an
antique mall for $15.00.
That was just a small
sampling of the more than 5,000 items I have purchased in
the past three years. Some things I just can't part with.
Others I pass on a great prices on eBay---the #1 on-line
auction.
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Below are some tips for
maximizing your purchasing power:
Always
politely
ask if the price is firm. Sometimes
the seller will lower it a little. NEVER
use the phrase..."I'll give you $$" for
this. You're not "giving" them
anything. The seller had to travel around to buy
the item, transport it, and is trying to make a little
money on it (and is probably
paying rent for his little spot to sell it).
"Would you take $$" is a much kinder
way of asking.
Don't
neglect any of your local antique shops or
antique "malls", thinking that they are
probably too expensive for your budget. Typically
a dealer becomes an expert on things he or she
enjoys. But no one can be an expert on
everything. So, often great buys are made in
antique shops on items the seller didn't know
much about. And--often, the selling price is
based on what the owner paid , not on some
"book" value.
On
a regular basis, at least for a while, check all
of your local church and charity thrift stores.
Donations are made daily. Inventory changes
daily. You never know what might have just
arrived. In most of these stores, the prices
attached to an item are the opinion of a
volunteer staff person.
Check
out you local flea and farmers markets. Walk
around the perimeter. This is where the household
items and odds & ends are being sold. Get
here EARLY!
Most
areas have antique extravaganzas or large shows.
Just a short drive from my area is a large show 3
times a year It is always open Fri-Sat-Sun.
Fridays cost more to get through the gate as it
is considered early-buyers day. I find it's worth
the extra gate fee because most of the dealers
are just unpacking and you get to view the wares
before other dealers have snatched up the
bargains.
Saturdays are crowded and difficult to park. And
usually no discounts are offered on tagged
prices.
Sunday morning is another good time to shop.
Rather than pack things up to move on to the next
show, many dealers prefer to sell out what's left
at drastically reduced prices. Expecially if the
first two days were profitable for them.
And
finally, make a regular search on some of the
internet auction facililties. There is Yahoo,
Amazon.com and. of course, eBay.
Be sure to read the description carefully. View
all of the pictures. Write the seller and ask
questions. Make sure you know BEFORE you bid how
much the shipping will be. If it doesn't mention,
ask if
there are any chips or cracks. Check the seller's
feedback rating and read a few to see what other
buyers have to say about how well the seller
packs and ships.
You must keep in mind that these are
"auctions". You can't just return the
item because you don't like it. You can't change
your mind and decide not to pay for it after
you've won the auction.
However, once you receive the item, if it is not
as described or was falsely represented, you have
every right to return it for a refund.
Also, don't get caught up in a bidding frenzy.
Establish in your mind what the maximum amoiunt
is that you're willing to spend on this item and
bid that amount. After all, if you don't get this
one, another one like it will soon come along.
There
are literally MILLIONS of items for sale on eBay.
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