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Here's just a few suggestions that might help you line up a few appointments to see items this week. They are free to do, and they might get you an appointment to check out some nice antique items.
1. Hand out "want lists" of items that you are looking for to at least three people every single day. If you're standing in line at the post office or grocery store, turn to the person behind you, smile, and say something like, "Hi, I'm ________________. I buy old items and things that some people consider junk. If you know anyone who has anything like that, have them give me a call." Sound tough? It's not! And think about it, if you did that three times every day, you'd be getting almost 100 "want lists" in the hands of potential customers every month. It's worth a try, and you never know who will respond, trust me!
2. Post a different index card on your local bulletin boards every Monday with one item that is on your want list, and your willingness to buy such an item. If glassware is on your list, place this message on an index card: "Collector will buy old glass dishes. I pay top cash prices! Call 1-Number" The next week you could put out an index card about old marbles, old toy trains, old books, old crocks, old toasters.....you get the picture. When you are deliberate about doing this on a weekly basis, it can often jog the memory of people looking at the bulletin board. Don't make the index card fancy. Don't do it on a computer. Just hand-write the card, make up a number of them, and be faithful about changing them frequently.
3. Look in the classifieds and choose at least four people who are selling furniture this week. Call them and go see what they have for sale. Many of these people are moving away, and they are prime targets to receive your offer to buy old items. You may be interested in what they were orginally selling, OR you might be interested in seeing what else they have. The Sunday paper will help you find these people. Group them together geographically and choose to go see them as early as you can. Once you have seen the items, make the "want list" available to them. Some people have accused me of "fishing" when I do this, but the fact of the matter is, most people don't know if they are going to be interested or not when they go and look at furniture. When I respond to these ads, I usually target the "old dresser, old bedroom set, old dining room table" catagory. Call until you get three appointments!
What this all really boils down to is a mindset that chooses to do something extra to get in front of households accumulations. This is the secret to buying more fresh antiques!
Happy Antique Hunting!
Copyright, 2005 Michael Temple
You have permission to distribute or post this article as long as it is distributed in it's entirety. Thank-you!
About the Author
Michael is a retired traditional auctioneer who now owns the Antique power Dealer web site. You can get a free copy of his report "6 Costly Mistakes Antique Buyers and Sellers Make...and How to Avoid Them!" by writing him and asking for it. No cost, no obligation!His e-mail is: michael@antiquepowerdealer.com
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