Auction
sales are the primary source of wholesale antique
purchases, along with estate or house clearances,
but they are not the exclusive source.
Obviously antiques exist in antique stores but
this is retail, not wholesale. So, for the person
who has time and doesn't mind driving, good value
can sometimes be found at garage or yard sales.
The goods represented at these sales will range
from good household items to pure, unadulterated
junk - with the emphasis on junk.
The average householder doesn't know the difference
between an antique and old furniture. However,
every once in a while a choice piece is found
among a stock of old bottles, and broken kitchen
chairs.
It is possible to spend an entire day going from
sale to sale and not find one antique piece, and
that is one of the reasons it sometimes isn't
a good idea to do this. Surprisingly though, people
do find items of antique value at garage sales.
When you are lucky enough to find a piece at a
sale, it is usually dirt cheap. If you barter,
the price might still be negotiated lower.
Similar to an auction, the risks associated with
a yard sale are dependent upon the ability of
the purchaser to properly identify and authenticate
a piece.
The risks are about the same at a yard sale or
auction, but hard-earned cash can still be launched
in the river of no return if foolish mistakes
are made. Not all yard sales are amateur productions.
There are persons who hold sales on a regular
basis. The enterprising souls who run regular
operations scour the countryside to locate pieces
for resale. Usually they find them at other yard
sales, or at auctions.
They also tend to overprice the items as they
have had to buy the goods rather than just get
rid of unwanted items. There is nothing wrong
with this type of operation, it is a type of hobby/business.
However, it does not create many bargains and
the collector must soon become aware of the obvious,
and discriminate between the types of yard sales
he or she attends.
Flea
markets represent another alternative to the antique
store. They are often great fun and a grand source
of free recreation on a Sunday morning. Again,
however, they are not the best place for antiques.
The merchandise is usually low end of the line
and not terribly expensive. Generally the cost
of most antique items of any value are grossly
overpriced at the flea markets, because the stall
or table owner doesn't know the item's true value,
and so inflates the price to protect himself.
Antique wholesalers are found in various areas
of the country. Such wholesalers, for the most
part, merchandise container loads of European
goods that are often picked and packed for them
abroad and shipped to Canada and the U.S.
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