| Someone once advised me that if you're going to | | | | random items such as old key chains, John Deere |
| go shopping for antiques, ‘stick to shops that | | | | memorabilia, cuff links, an old 45 RPM record |
| are true to the business.' That meant, of course, | | | | player, vintage pencils, Carnival glass, and Coke |
| turn your nose up at flea markets and those | | | | memorabilia, just to mention a few, just because |
| quaint little places off the beaten path that | | | | I liked them. And none of the items were budget |
| feature a few more items, other than the | | | | busters—all were relatively inexpensive. |
| 100-year-old Tiffany lamp with the requisite patina | | | | Now it doesn't matter what part of this fine great |
| on the base--places with items like old straw hats, | | | | country you live in, those antique "emporiums" are |
| bottle caps, bobble heads and maybe some | | | | out there, replete with those wonderful people |
| scented candles on the side. | | | | who own them. Mall antique shops are fine but I'm |
| Well shucks neighbor, definitely don't pay attention | | | | interested in something with a bit more character, |
| to any of that talk, or else you'll miss out on all | | | | thank you. I've met some fine and interesting |
| the fun. High end antiquing is for the serious | | | | characters out there in those one-owner shops. |
| professional, but don't consider it fun, and for me, | | | | I'm on the East coast and I travel throughout |
| fun is what it's all about. I tossed out my stuffy | | | | Maryland and Pennsylvania on my quest for that |
| collar long ago and now I just take my cowboy | | | | next shop I haven't been to yet. Sometimes if |
| hat and boots, with me in them, to whatever | | | | you ask some of the locals at a gas station, |
| nifty little place, wherever it is, that has some | | | | convenience store or restaurant, you'll get |
| good old stuff to sell. | | | | valuable leads as to where a great little shop is |
| Of course if you are a serious collector, you'd | | | | located in the area. |
| better bone up on whatever it is that you're | | | | One thing you should always keep in |
| collecting, or else take the Kovels with you, | | | | mind—don't let the looks of it from the outside |
| anytime you go out on that antiquing excursion. | | | | deter you from stopping and going in. And if it |
| I'll admit that I do have a penchant for items of | | | | looks like a barn, or an old railroad station, it |
| the 50's, especially fine fountain pens and those | | | | probably is, so definitely don't miss the |
| colorful transistor and tube radios of that era. | | | | opportunity to take a few shots with the digital |
| Bulova transistor radios are my favorite. That's | | | | before you go inside for some easy browsing. |
| right—the watch company—they made | | | | The people who own these shops are usually |
| radios in the 50's. | | | | knowledgeable and friendly, and you'll find that the |
| My condo is running out of room to display my | | | | folks who visit them are just as friendly. Heck, |
| radio collection. Last count there were about 50 | | | | that's what it's all about—that human |
| or so in various nooks and crannies (sometimes I | | | | experience, as they say. |
| have trouble finding my cat who likes to share | | | | Now just because we're feeling all friendly and |
| the nooks and crannies with them). And yes, | | | | have gotten that warm and fuzzy feeling inside |
| most of them work. | | | | after we've browsed around—that doesn't |
| But whenever I come across one of these gems, | | | | mean we can't get down to business. That price |
| I've got a pretty good idea of what it's worth. | | | | tag on that old lamp or that collection of PEZ |
| I've done my research and so should you if you | | | | candy dispensers is just your invitation for some |
| want to become serious about collecting items | | | | friendly bargaining--I said friendly, not nasty. |
| from a particular niche of our past. | | | | Pleasantly asking if the price on the tag is firm is a |
| There are plenty of excellent books around. The | | | | good way to start. You'll usually discover that the |
| local library is a great place to start. There are | | | | answer is ‘no,' and if your willing to pay with |
| plenty of good reference books for the novice | | | | cash, that's even better when you begin your |
| who wants a broad view of collectibles. Specific | | | | bargaining process. |
| books on any particular segment of the market | | | | Don't make the mistake though of degrading the |
| such as dolls, collectible glass, matchbox cars, and | | | | item as a way to get the price down—not a |
| just about anything else are also available, but | | | | good idea. That's a sure way to cool things down |
| getting a broad view of collecting is best at | | | | fast. Offer 20% less than what is on the tag. You |
| first—and fun. You'll be surprised at what sorts | | | | probably won't get it but more often than not, |
| of things people collect. | | | | you can get at least 10% off your newly found |
| But niche collecting is not the point of this article. | | | | gem. |
| I'm not always looking for radios nor do I wish to. | | | | I've even offered one price for a group of items |
| Just taking a leisurely weekend drive through the | | | | that I'm interested in. After you've done it a few |
| American countryside on the hunt for one of | | | | times, you'll find that bargaining can be fun. That's |
| these quaint shops is part of the fun, especially if | | | | the whole idea. |
| you have no agenda as to what you're looking | | | | Okay, now where's my cowboy hat—hope the |
| for. | | | | cat didn't get it. Time for another weekend |
| My motto is, "If you like it, buy it." I've bought | | | | excursion. |