antiquing for the normal gal
I’m conscious of the impact on the world of buying everything new, so I try to avoid buying certain things new. I’m not perfect and it means my cupboards are filled with quite an eclectic combination but it does bring me a lot of joy. I’m not some rich spinster lady so when I talk about antiquing I’m talking about old stuff and bargains. Most of my antiquing is old tea sets, dinner sets and drinking glasses, although I did buy an entire 1950’s dining room set and grandfather clock from a friend.
My two favourite places to find old bargains are charity shops and FB market place. After that I also love fleamarkets, actual antique stores and antique fairs. The former two tend to provide better bargains as it’s just people looking to declutter, whereas the latter three tend to be more expensive as the dealers are more in tune with the market but mostly just need to cover their additional costs like plot fees.
So, I scour FB market place and charity shops in my free time. It can be a quick trip into town or it can be a full day of picking through packed shelves of tat to find something really perfect. Even if I don’t find something though I love those days I still really enjoy the process.
I have a few porcelain brands I look out for- Wedgewood, Royal Albert, Royal Doulton, that sort of thing. But I’m not a big snob, if it’s preowned and pretty, then I’m all about it. It’s amazing what you can find in a charity shop for as little as €1 or £1, and the same thing can be €25+ in an antique shop. The most important tips for searching for a bargain is to not feel rushed, really take your time and don’t feel pressured. If you think something is over priced, haggle or walk away.
tips for charity shop searches
Take the time to rummage
Check labels or brand stamps
Check for damage
You can always wash it
The thing with charity shops especially is making sure you have time. Don’t just scan the shelves, or the rails, really take your time to look around. Anything you buy can easily be cleaned or washed, so don’t get squeamish. Flick through everything on the rails, or scan for colours or textures you like. Dig deep through the shelves for something in a style or pattern or shape you love. If you do care about the makes, then for most glass wear and porcelain you can check the bottom. I also try to sneak some quick photos and ask chatGPT for it’s input. It’s not always 100% correct but often gives a good idea of time period and value, although I’m not buying to resell it’s just satisfying to find a good deal.
get the best flea market finds
Always get there early
Take cash- small denominations too
Don’t rush
Don’t be scared to haggle and be ready to walk away
don’t be intimidated at antique stores or fairs
Set aside most of the day
Sneak photos and check online if you’re getting swindled
Haggle (if a fair) and be ready to walk away
Don’t buy the first thing you see, you might find the same thing at another table for less
Just because you’re not a professional doesn’t mean you need to feel intimidated. Your money is your own so if you don’t think something is worth the price, haggle! You may not always win but you will definitely get yourself a few good deals. Make sure to check different tables or sections too, even in an antique store you can find the same item elsewhere, for less.