21 Tips for Collecting Almost Anything & Everything, Part 1

As another summer of garage sales comes to an end, and another season of holiday bazaars awaits us, I thought this would be the time to offer my suggestions for how to go about collecting with more triumphs than heartaches.

To paraphrase what antiques expert Ralph Kovel once said, committed collectors like I am often regret the things we don’t buy; however, if we buy hastily or carelessly, we can come to regret those expenses, too.

After decades of hunting and gathering, and dozens of excursions just this year, I’ve certainly made my share of mistakes, but I’ve also learned a trick or two that I’m happy to pass along.

When it comes to finding, choosing, buying, and ultimately acquiring any kind of collectible, my step-by-step guide could save you time, money, and space as you build your collection—and might even result in bringing home some real treasures (rather than some real duds).

Here’s the first half or so of my 21 tried-and-true methods. I hope they work for you, too.

1. Once you realize you’re starting a collection, go slowly. Buying the first specimens you come across could be a mistake because you might buy ordinary pieces rather than special ones, or you might pass up a real deal that you didn’t recognize—or end up paying too much for something that only seems special but really isn’t.

2. So…take some time to learn more about the object of your desire. Of course, the Internet is a convenient place for a great variety of information, but so is our Monroe County Library System, which has dozens of identification guides full of information compiled by experts. Learn as much as you can about the history, construction, and variety of your field of collecting.

3. Search for local collectors’ clubs, too, so you can learn from area experts and meet people who share your interests. We’re fortunate to have several such organizations in Western New York, and many allow people to attend a time or two before formally joining. These groups usually have monthly educational programs about specific collectibles as well as social occasions during the year. Local organizations often hold annual shows and sales, too, which are great ways to meet out-of-town vendors with diverse merchandise and specific expertise.

4. Then, keep learning about your collectible even while you shop. Strike up conversations with proprietors, dealers, and other shoppers, and listen as they talk about the merchandise. People are usually generous with their knowledge and willing to point out details that affect quality, value, and price.

5. As part of your education as a new collector, or a collector in a new field, first shop in person, so you can see, touch, and even smell the collectibles that have caught your eye. Reproductions, re-issues, knock-offs, and fakes usually differ in a number of ways from the real thing. Also, condition and damage may not be clearly visible, or fully disclosed, in some online listings.

6. In addition, shop in person in a variety of marketplaces. When I go antiquing in Rochester, that means I might stop into a privately owned antiques store with fine items or an antiques co-op with a wide range of antique, vintage, and reproduction pieces. I could also make the round of garage sales, estate sales, and thrift stores in Monroe County for the best prices and one surprise after another since who knows what I’ll find in such venues. The point is that you might find something special in an unexpected place, so you should shop around and keep your eyes open.

7. Remember to dress, and pack, for the occasion. If you’re going to spend a fall day at a flea market, where the weather can be unpredictable here in Western New York, dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes. If you’re going to be out all day, leave your oversized purse home, but bring cash, a measuring tape, a way to take notes, and water and a snack or two—especially if you’d rather spend your money on treasures than burgers or hots.

8. Use any of several strategies for shopping shows and sales (and sometimes in stores for that matter, too):

Arrive early for the best choices. You might have to pay to enter on the “preview” day, and you’ll probably have to pay full price, but you’ll be there for the biggest and best selection, so you might find some really special things.
However, if you stay late, you’ll likely get the best deals. By shopping during the last day of a sale or the last hours of a show, you might find dealers offering discounts, like 50 percent off everything, especially fragile, large, and heavy items that they’d prefer not to have to pack up and haul away.
Make multiple rounds of a venue and walk around booths and shops from opposite directions. You can spot things you previously missed when you see them from a different angle. Also, look into boxes on the floor, up on high shelves, and behind other items where you can find prizes that others passed by.
In some cases, you can make an offer and often get a better price. For example, some shops are authorized to give 10 percent off big-ticket items to anyone who asks. Individual dealers will usually consider an offer or let you know how much they can let the item go for. Others are often open to discounting items when you bundle a number of purchases together.

9. When you find things worth considering, inspect potential additions carefully and repeatedly. Examine the top, the bottom, the front, the back, and the inside closely. Look at items, and all parts of them, from all angles and in different light. Then check again. Run your hands over them, too. Cracks, chips, and tears seem to lurk under your thumb or behind the price tag.

If you shop online, make sure you ask lots of questions before bidding or buying. Ask about the kinds of damage that’s specific to your field of collecting, like pottery that’s crazed or metals that are rusted. Inquire about manufacturing flaws, and ask dealers to describe anything else that’s less than perfect.

Part of your education is to learn what can be fixed and what can’t. For instance, heavy dust and kitchen grime can be washed off many things. However, material that’s stained, paper that’s torn, and glass that’s been damaged in the dishwasher and become cloudy is often marred forever (even if various sources say they can be corrected). Paper that’s musty might be freshened with a dryer sheet, but if the odor comes from mold, that’s a real problem.

10. In addition, when buying sets of any kind, make sure all the pieces are present. If the tag says the price is for a set of 86 dishes, take the time to count and locate all 86 pieces. The count might be wrong; a few of the pieces might have been broken or sold separately, or they might just be sitting a few shelves over. In any case, you want to get what you’re paying for, and if the set is less than advertised, you can ask for a better price or leave it behind.

11. Make sure that all the pieces packaged as a set actually go together, too. Mismatched cups and saucers are common; teapots and other containers often have the wrong lid, and all sorts of other items can get mixed up, especially in thrift shops and at charity sales when lots of people have their hands on the goods.

It’s okay to choose a Shabby Chic mix-and-match look, but look closely and double check, so you don’t think you’re getting a matching set when you’re actually getting a “marriage” of two different parts.

Feeling confident and inspired to go shopping? I am, but I better not. I have more tips to write up. Join us Friday when I’ll finish my list of collecting tips and tricks.

Patti
The Committed Collector

In the meantime, can you offer any advice for finding unusual items or negotiating better prices? If so, please leave a comment and share your tips.