The Do’s & Don’ts of Hunting for Collectables

Image via throughthelookingglass.com

Believe it or not, many people make an exceptional living off the items they find at garage sales, estate sales, antique shows, and on treasure hunts. Whether they’re collecting specific items, or purchasing them to later sell to others, these items are often important pieces of history and should be handled with care and caution.

Here are some tips on how to find treasures of your own to cherish, and also how to make a profit when putting them up for sale.

It’s often tedious to find high quality collectables. Locating them is hard enough, but finding what you’re looking for is even harder. While many people visit estate sales, others often find what they’re looking for by visiting their local antique store or retail store. These places often have plenty of items with great stories and history waiting to be discovered by someone just like you! When looking for these items, it’s important to know exactly what you want and look at items closely to ensure you find the perfect piece. When looking for these pieces, you must be patient- it’s often hard to find an item that is exactly what you want. In addition, with the popularity of buying online, many people are now hunting for collectables on the web. In this case, one must be extra careful in choosing an item. You could be told that something is antique, when in fact, it’s not. A dealer could lie about anything, and once you receive your item, you’ll likely be disappointed if it’s not what you anticipated. So, when buying items online, be diligent in asking the dealer for images of the item you are interested in (ask for close ups and photos from each and every angle). If possible, try and speak to them over the phone about the piece to ensure the items authenticity. In addition, using sites where people like you can converse about the different ways they hunt for collectibles may also be helpful.

Once you find your perfect piece, you’ll need to ensure it stays flawless once it’s taken to your home. Most people prefer to put their purchase on display in their homes to show off to guests while some prefer to restore them in hopes to sell back to fellow collectors one day. While doing either, it’s important to not damage the antique in the process. Be sure to research the item before you try to restore it though-oftentimes, an item is worth more money when in its original state. Happy hunting!