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ot too long ago, buying good used or antique items in person was the
thing. If you didn’t see it with your own eyes and handle it with your
Nown hands, you would not buy it. Taking a Saturday morning buying
trip meant hitting the tag sales, visiting a few thrift shops, and stopping
by an antique shop or two. Today, many turn to their computers,
but in-person buying is the best way to
immerse yourself in the experience.

A New Road Map to
A New Road Map to

Buying In Person
Buying In Person

by Judy Gonyeau
managing editor

Stop #1 – Garage/Tag/Rummage/Yard Sales: miniature figures from early Star Wars and Marvel characters? Look for
Buying Other People’s Stuff at Their Home these and the next level of pop culture.
Pricing: Low prices are the norm for these sales, but be sensitive to
the items that have meaning to the sellers. These tend to come with a
“that was my favorite” fee attached, but that may be negotiated away.
Variety: If you see 10-year-olds running around, expect to see a lot
of things meant for 6-9 year-olds. If the sellers are in their 40s+, expect
to see many DVDs, VHS, and sometimes a Blu-ray or two. If the sellers
are elderly, expect to see a lot of books – especially cookbooks that can
be a great bargain. Also, expect to see those Bradford Exchange or sim-
ilar collectibles like plates, figurines, etc. Know what you are looking at
and you may find a gem or two (or three).

Stop #2 – Thrift Stores
An Economic Way to Shop

This is where buyers can find fresh-to-market selections of antique,
used, and nearly new items in a calm, relaxed atmosphere. Generally,
the owners are looking to get rid of items that are now outdated or no
longer wanted as they move, grow as a family, or combine/divide up
households. These are not Estate Sales, where someone has passed and
the family is divesting of the person’s household, but is often represen-
tative of a good “clear-out.”
What to Look For: Relatively new but gently used goods that may or
may not be worth having. New-in-box items that were either forgotten,
or were gifts left unused. You can pick up trendy items and clothing
that are no longer trendy. Great way to pick up home goods like glass-
ware and décor, but it is advised that you stay away from soft goods like
comforters or stuffed animals unless you plan to sanitize them thor-
oughly or they are a collectible and in good condition. Back in the 1970s/80s/90s, shopping at a Thrift Shop typically
You may luck out and find a soon-to-be-vintage collectible-in-the- meant going to a local nonprofit store where you could pick up cloth-
making. Remember when parents were getting rid of all your old ing and household items that had been donated and were extremely

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