If you are an avid antique furniture collector as I am, then you are constantly on the lookout for great antiques. When you can find them at bargain prices, it's even better. If you happen to have a great love of antiques, but are just starting your collection, here are some great places to look for some great pieces.
Swap Meets - Swap Meets and Flea Markets are great places to find those "diamonds in the rough" antique pieces that we are all looking for. I have found some awesome antique oak tables and chairs by scouring some markets near where I live. Keep in mind, you are going to have to spend some time at the markets looking, since there are many "vintage" pieces around that are not really antiques. Many visits are usually required before you come across something that is really good. The other nice thing about these places is that people typically don't have a good understanding of what they have, so you can really get some good prices.
Moving, Yard, and Garage Sales - Have spare time on the weekend? Check your local newspaper listings for these types of sales. Many people sell their personal belongings for a variety of different reasons, but the most common is because they do not want them anymore. In many cases, as long as you offer a reasonable price for something, the owner is happy to have you take it off their hands. Be careful though. Believe it or not, there is such a thing as a Professional Yard Seller. These people typically have a sale every weekend, and many times in the same location. They spend their time during the week hunting down bargains, then marking them up at their own sales for a profit. Sometimes, they even have a partner out buying items at other sales while they are conducting their own. Of course, there is nothing wrong with this, but keep in mind that this type of seller has a profit margin goal to meet, so may be less likely to haggle.
Auctions - Many areas have professional auction companies that can be hired to take care of the disposition of many household items for a cut of the sale. Here you can get truly awesome deals on beautiful pieces, but only if you do it right and keep your head about you. The important thing about auctions is that you need to visit the auction house during the inspection period prior to the auction and pick out the pieces that you want to bid on. Do some research on the items to make sure you do not overbid. Show up to the auction with enough cash to cover your maximum bid amounts for each piece you will be bidding on, as many auction companies do not accept credit cards or personal checks, although a cashiers check is usually fine, it's tough to know how much to have one made for. If the auction is for two days, definitely show up for the second day. There will be far less people and many times, items that did not sell the previous day will come up again with a lower starting bid.
Private Estate Sales - These are the Holy Grail for antique buyers. Many of this type of sale will be from affluent households that have experienced a loss of the homeowner(s). At this type of sale, you must appear professional, well mannered, well groomed, and well dressed. Bring your money as well. Most of these types of sales are conducted by people that know what they are doing, but with a large estate, it's often impossible for the person to have up to date information on every single piece that is for sale. Do not get in a hurry, be respectful, and make your offer. It's okay to make an offer for less than the listed price for an item, unless the conductor of the sale says otherwise, but make sure your offer is reasonable relative to the item you are interested in.
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