Before opening the booth, make sure you have enough inventory to fill it.
You might want to start with a smaller space and move up to a larger one as
your business grows. Don’t rely on just a few high-priced items. They could sit
for months, and in the meantime you’ll have rent to pay. Make sure your
antiques and collectibles span a wide range of prices.
Where should you acquire the antiques? Try the following:
Auctions – Remarkable antiques in beautiful condition can be found at
antique auctions. If you’ve never been to an auction before, attend one or two
to see how things work before you start bidding. Most auction houses will let
prospective buyers inspect the antiques prior to the auction, and you should
always take advantage of this opportunity. Auctioneers will not necessarily
disclose the rip in an antique christening gown or the chip in the flow blue
china platter. Set a maximum price you’re willing to bid for an item, and don’t
go over that limit. It is easy to get caught in a bidding war and end up paying
too much for an antique, leaving no room to mark up the price for a profit.
Auction houses don’t usually supply boxes or packing materials, so bring your
own, as well as a hand truck or an extra set of hands if you’re planning to
purchase large or heavy items.
Estate Sales – Dealers know to arrive at the estate sales early in order to
secure the best deals. Often numbers are given out in the hour or so before the
sale opens to determine the order that people can enter the sale.
Garage and Yard Sales – Check the newspapers for sales advertising antiques
and plan your route accordingly. Again, the best deals are found early. Some
dealers even drive by ahead of the advertised starting time in order to get a
jump on the competition.
Flea Markets – Visit the flea markets in your area to see what types of
wares are available. Some flea markets are great sources for antiques and
vintage items, while others have very little of interest to antique dealers.
Advertise – Place a classified ad in your local newspaper stating that you
buy antiques. People often have a piece of antique furniture that they’d like
to sell, but don’t know where to take it.
Online Auctions – A variety of great antiques are available through online
auctions. Unfortunately, shipping fees often eat a large portion of potential
profits, but there are still good deals to be had. Some dealers like to pick up
antiques from online auctions on holidays such as Christmas or Easter, when
there are fewer last minute bidders.