How to Shop for Antiques in Los Angeles

Shopping for antiques is best in big cities because they can be a mecca for your passion, and antiques from all surrounding smaller towns tend to end up in the city. Nowhere is better to shop for antiques in America than Los Angeles, California.With its rich heritage and hundreds of places for finding a great unique antique, your options are open! Now it's up to you to narrow them down based on what you truly want!Below I'll show you how to shop for antiques in Los Angeles.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Research the kind of antiques you truly want. Don't go into antique shopping blindly. You should look in catalogs, books and on online websites. Knowing the true value of a type of antique, its rarity and its history can help you when it's time to shop.

2. Decide how much you can spend. There are antiques for every price range, but being realistic and planning your budget ahead of time prevents embarrassing mistakes later on.

3. Look in directories, such as the one at the bottom of the page! The yellow pages are another great resource for Los Angeles area antique shops! Plan an itinerary based on the proximity of the shops to one another.

4. Drive around Los Angeles and stop at places that aren't in antique directories or on the map of antiques stores. Do this along the way to your mapped journey. You'll find them. There are many! Planning your trip around the Pasadena flea market or other events that hold antiques can be a really great idea! Take a couple of days to check them all out. Make an "antique weekend."

5. Observe, try or hold the antique when possible. Look it over thoroughly and see if there are any flaws. Ask the dealer what they know about the piece. Bringing your research and books along can help authenticate their stories.

6. Try to negotiate the price! Chances are, an antique dealer has set the price higher than what they will actually take for a piece. This is especially true in flea markets and swap meets. While you don't want to insult a dealer, asking for a bit off a high price is appropriate etiquette. After all, it is a big investment that you are making.

7. Compare! Unless it is an extremely great deal on a very rare piece or something you absolutely must have, come back for it later. This prevents impulse shopping. It can also prompt a dealer to offer a lower price. At the very least, coming back later sure of what you want helps create a more confident experience for you.

8. Buy the antiques that you truly want! Having antiques in your home is a way of making it unique, beautiful and your own creation and legacy. Enjoy what you have earned in your antique shopping!

Tips & Warnings

• Shop around! There are lots of places to find extraordinary items in Los Angeles, both expensive and inexpensive.
• Try to negotiate whenever possible.
• Bring along blankets or cushions for possible antique finds. If you are looking for smaller antiques, a box with packing materials is recommended for the safest possible journey home!
• Don't make impulse purchases when it comes to antiques!
• Don't buy without research. You want to make sure of authenticity and worth!
• Never be rude or insulting to a dealer. If they are lying to your face and you know it, find a diplomatic way of correcting them. Reaffirm the positive and the truth and ask for what you want in a kind, respectful way.
• Don't go too cheap in negotiations. Although you want a good deal, you don't want to offer something ridiculously low, even if the item is misrepresented.

Resources

• directory of Los Angeles antique shops