How to Find Eccentric Figurines

For you the collector, an "eccentric figurine" can mean anything, old or new, glass or ceramic or wooden, in any style or design. You're looking for something out of the ordinary, something that evokes a gut reaction, a laugh or a groan. Something weird. Strange collectibles pop up in many places. Here's how find them.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Go to auctions. You can find one-of-a-kind figurines sold alone or by lot. Sometimes a box sale is the way to go. Buy a box and sift through the junk for one or two valuable finds.
2. Go to estate sales. As estates are liquidated, all kinds of things go up for sale, from luxury goods and rare antiques to eccentric collectibles that may have spent a long time off-market.
3. Go to yard sales. The old maxim "One man's trash is another man's treasure" is what yard sales are based on. You might find something you love and can buy for pennies.
4. Look online. The giant retailer eBay has all kinds of stuff for sale. You could easily find a number of great collectibles on the site, and all you have to do is arrange the shipping with the seller.
5. Look in novelty shops. In the old days, these stores were on Main Street, now they are most likely in your local shopping mall. But even the new chain stores have some interesting novelties for sale. You might find a good addition to your collection that will become rare over time.