Collecting antiques can be a lot of fun. Any time you go out on “the hunt” there is no telling what you might find. Obviously, antique shops are a good place to start looking but you might not always find a bargain that you had hoped for through dealers. Instead, consider some of these alternatives:

Craigslist

Craigslist has become the Internet equivalent of the classified adds. You can search for just about any item you’re looking for or just type in the blanket “antiques” that covers everything. Every town in Illinois has their own Craigslist section. What you’re looking for could be in a neighboring city or township. You can also set up alerts for a specific item. And the lists are constantly being updated and changed. It’s a good place to check in throughout the day.

Flea Markets, Yard Sales & Estate Sales

On any given weekend, you’re sure to find a bunch of private sales. Again, Craigslist is a good source for these sales. You should especially look for estates sales that are being handled by the owner. When an estate sale company steps in, you can expect plenty of mark-ups on the prices of items. A private owner might just be looking to get rid of things and there will be more room to haggle. If you are going out to these kinds of sales, then bring cash. The easiest way to make a deal is to say you’ve got the cash in your hand right now.

Thrift Stores

Here’s the secret about thrift stores: They don’t often know what they’re handling. This is not a slam against them but it’s just the nature of the business. Someone will make a drop off of an item they want to get rid of. The thrift store puts it out at a bargain price because they’re not appraisers. You can scoop it up for a terrific bargain. Everybody wins.

If you start to get serious about your antique collection, then you’ll want to make some room around the house. This is where Junk King Chicago West can be a big help. These are the professional junk haulers who can make a major improvement in your home by clearing out the unwanted clutter and furniture. Ironically, a lot of what you are getting rid of might end up in the same thrift stores you go hunting in. But that’s all good for the environment. To open up space in your home for more antiques, bring in Junk King Chicago west for a junk removal session today.