Where Can You Purchase Forgotten Antiques

Why do new antique items come on the market? One might think antiques would stay tied to a single family, being passed down from each generation, but that isn’t always the case. That family may choose to hold onto their great-grandmother’s engagement ring, but the bulky curio cabinet might not be so desirable. When these things are sold off or given away, where do they go? How do they get on the market? And how can you find some of these incredible pieces?

Why do people get rid of antiques?

Families often rid their homes of antique pieces almost as easily as furniture from IKEA. In an age of minimalism, high value is placed on a tidy, uncluttered space. This means that many heavy pieces of furniture from the past are no longer valued. They might be tossed due to routine spring cleaning or a deeper downsizing of possessions. Those same people may choose to let go of items due to financial hardship. Antiques can certainly hold value and could help to pay off debts or increase financial security.

Most often, however, we see antiques coming onto the market due to loss, whether that be a loved one’s passing or divorce. When a loved one passes away, the person who inherits their estate is responsible for going through their possessions. They may donate or sell many of these items instead of keeping them. Divorce also plays a large role in the selling off of antiques. In this case, assets may need to be split or sold off. Things that were important to one partner may not be to the other, so they choose to let those items go. But where do all these antiques end up?

Donated

When in doubt, many people choose to donate items. Whether it’s downsizing or the loss of a loved one, people generally don’t want to deal with pieces that hold no emotional value. The easiest and fastest way to get rid of unwanted things is to donate them. Often these donation centers will even offer to pick up heavier items, so there is a draw for people wanting to get rid of large pieces without the resources to do so.

This is great news for the antique shopper. After these items are donated, they regularly appear in stores like Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, and others at heavily discounted prices. You can even browse websites like freecycle.org or local online groups for free items. For larger items, you may need to rent a truck, but the overall savings of getting a discounted or free item will likely outweigh that cost.

Garage Sales

Perhaps the most popular way to clear out old pieces is the classic garage sale. Another gem for antiquers, garage sales are the perfect place to find hidden treasures at unbelievable prices. People are ridding their homes of old items from family members, previous marriages, gifts they never liked, and things they grew tired of. They don’t want to take these items back inside, so they’re often happy to let go of valuable pieces for a few dollars. A great tip for beginning garage sale hunters is to visit each sale early to see which pieces are must-haves. If the price is good, you’ll have been the first to see it and snatch it up. But the pros find the best sales and visit again near closing time. When families are starting to pack up and realizing how much is left over, they’re often more open to haggling on things whose prices were firm at the beginning of the day

Online Sale Pages

With the advancement of social media has come the rise of local sales pages. People can connect locally and worldwide to sell items they no longer want or need. This provides shoppers with a wider variety than they’ll find at local sales, but also allows them to connect and potentially haggle with an individual rather than a store. Some items will be available for local pick up or meet up, while others may have a shipping option. Using these sites could expose you to items you otherwise would never have access to; maybe the exact antique headboard you’ve been searching for isn’t available in your area but is for sale a hundred miles away. Is it worth the drive? That’s for you to decide, but having the option is wonderful.

Thrift Stores and Markets

While finding an antique at a garage sale can be a great deal of fun, thrift stores, and markets can provide a similar antiquing experience in some contexts. As with garage sales, expect to search to find the gems. Thrift stores and markets are often a later stop in an antique’s journey, after filtering through families and other sales, so they may need more love to make them shine. Look for items you can refinish and bring new life to; these will also be the items you can get for the lowest cost and bring the most value. We find that smaller, local stores tend to have the best selection and prices.

Shopping for antiques can be a rewarding hobby, but sticking to a few simple rules can ensure you come home with a treasure, not someone else’s garbage. First, stay away from overly trendy pieces. These items will be more expensive and won’t stay stylish long term. Instead, look for timeless things which can be refinished in a way that you’ll enjoy for years to come. Second, thoroughly inspect any antiques while keeping in mind that damage isn’t always a bad thing. Damage impacts value. If you’re reselling the item, blemishes are a negative, but if you’re purchasing for yourself you may be able to get the price lowered and fix the item. Lastly, check the authenticity of pieces that claim to be valuable antiques. Ask the seller for a letter of authenticity if available, and learn how to spot fakes. Most importantly, find pieces you love. Find things that will bring you timeless joy. You’ll bring a smile to your own face and give a second life to a beautiful antique.