What are the best treasure hunting sites? Where can you find antiques and collectibles at a steal? I have found various items at flea markets and small auction sites, but I have found the best deals at yard sales. People tend to collect items for various reasons and then get tired of them being around. Whether they intended to sale them and couldnt, or they started to collect and then got tired of it, they now want them gone. I have come across items that people ask retail or even more and then neglect to notice the piece of Hull pottery or vintage toy that can bring twice as much. Just recently I went to a yardsale where the couple had to sell their house and move up north so they were trying to lighten thier load. I noticed a few items that I liked along with a antique radio they had priced at $200.00. This radio was in great shape so I called another local picker who has great knowledge on items like this. He told me that the retail value was around $250.00, and could go as high as $350.00 at auction. Sounds like a great deal right? The problem was I didnt know a lot on these and didnt know how long I would have to hold on to it. I walked away from it. There was one item that kept catching my eye. It was a small metal tanker desk. It had a great industrial look and was in great shape other than a poor attempt at painting over the original paint. They were asking $15.00 and I talked them into $10.00 with the purchase of a few other items. Once home I researched it and found they go for around $500.00 for unfinished and up to $1000.00 for finished ones. I have recently began restoring it. I have also found contact information for the previous owners and plan to send them half of the profits (they were going through a hard time and I like to give back). This is just one of many items I have found at yard sales. The next time you drive by one dont hesitate to stop and look, you just dont know what you may find.

I like finding hidden treasures. I like picking, junking, treasure hunting, collecting, swapping or what ever you call it. It all begins with the begins with the hunt. You find the right yardsale, antique shop or even just a residence that has several items visible. Then you sift through everything looking for that one item that you just have to have. It just hits you when you see it and you know that it is the "ONE". Then comes the deal. You try to get this "ONE" thing you just have to have for a price that makes both you and the seller happy. Its like an adiction. I always try to let the owner of the yardsale know what they have and even current market value. Most people sell stuff without the knowledge of what they have. They are just wanting to get rid of "junk" that they have accumulated over the years. I have found that even after you tell them they have that rare item that is worth $100.00 at auction, marked $2.00 on a little round sticker, they still want to sell it to you for $2.00. Why wouldnt they? Think of all the work that goes into reselling. If you put it up for auction then you have to pay the auctioneer and auction house. Internet comes with its own fees, plus s&h! What if it doesnt sell? Well then you have to redo the whole process again. A lot of people just dont want to pick up the items and place them back in the house. After all this "junk" is being sold to clean out the clutter, why put it back when you can sell it for $.50? Flea markets are a little bit tougher to score a good deal. Flea markets are like a multi family yardsale, but I have found that a lot of shops at flea markets have done at least a little research. The best thing about flea markets is that you can haggle a little more. You never know where you might find these hidden treasures. Just take a look around, you may have gold in that old toy that you bought at the neighbors yardsale!