How to Collect Antique Bird Decoys & Duck Calls
In the past, collecting antique bird decoys and duck calls would mean spending hours combing antique stores, garage sales and thrift stores. But with the Internet, it is now possible to browse online auction sites like eBay or Craigslist to find prized antiques. Online is also a great place to peruse blogs, newsletters and sites of other antique collectors and connect with other collectors all over the world.
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Instructions
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Determine how you'd like to begin your collection. Perhaps you've already got some antique duck decoys or duck calls and you're interested in growing the collection. Either way, it's a good idea to pick a general direction you'd like to go with your collection. Decide if there are specific antiques you need or if you'd just like to add them as you find them. Reading or joining an online antique decoy blog is a good place to learn about duck decoys and calls, their history and value. (See References for antique decoy blog site.)
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Decide how to search for the antiques. If part of the fun is discovering antiques in unlikely places, then you'll probably enjoy venturing out to garage sales, thrift stores or antique shops. If you've got some specific antique pieces in mind, however, then the Internet or classified ads are a good place to start.
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Determine how much you'd like to pay for the antiques. This is a good thing to have in mind, no matter which avenue you choose for locating the antiques. That way, when confronted with a price you can immediately accept or decline, according to your budget. Keep in mind that when shopping online you'll have to pay for shipping as well, so factor that in to the price.
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Choose a location for storing or displaying your antiques. This may help in determining what type of antique you want to purchase and how many. Antique collections are conversation starters, and oftentimes telling the story of discovering the antique is where you'll get the greatest joy.
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Tips & Warnings
If purchasing online, be sure it's from a reputable dealer. Always check the return policy before agreeing to purchase. While online auction sites are great resources, they also don't always offer the same protections as local vendors. Always inspect the items as thoroughly as possible before agreeing to the purchase. It also pays to compare prices before making a purchase, in the event you can find it cheaper from another source.
References
- Photo Credit carved duck image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
