How to Find Antique Furniture

If you wish to collect antique furniture, be prepared for Saturday shopping trips and many a Sunday spent reading classified ads in the newspaper and on your computer via the Internet. Finding the perfect piece that is not only a collectible, but will become a part of your home, will take time.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Antiques
• Arts And Antiques
• Joy Of Collecting Subscription
• Newspaper Subscriptions
• Internet Access

1. Study the market firsthand. Take along a knowledgeable friend and visit antique shops, shows, museums, flea markets and auctions.

2. Carefully inspect pieces and ask questions.

3. Read the classified ad section of your daily newspaper. People who are interested in selling pieces will advertise.

4. Check the classified ad section of your Internet server. America Online, for example, has a hobby channel that includes a link to classified ads from people trying to sell antiques.

5. Enter chat sites for antique collectors. AOL, again, has a link to chat rooms of this variety on its hobby channel.

6. Place requests on Internet message boards and periodically read the messages on the boards from others. You might find a gem among the rough.

7. Visit Web sites like Antiques Oronoco (antiques-oronoco.com). These have an abundance of information concerning collecting and links to all sorts of sites that can teach you as well as help you find items you want to buy.

8. Visit the eBay, which has listings of all sorts of items people are trying to sell and gives you a way to bid for them.

9. Resist buying the first item you see.

10. Get a detailed receipt when you do buy. Besides the traditional information, have the seller describe the antique, in writing, as it was represented to you.

11. Beware of the word "style" in advertising and on a receipt; it can be interpreted to mean that you have been given notice that the piece is a reproduction and not an original.