Antique Store

[Gojeremy]

I've read a few stories from you guys, and seen pics, of some awesome finds on Craigslist. Just curious if anyone has had any luck at an antique store for anything garage/tool worthy.

 

[RivennHewn]

Most antique seller's do their homework.

They research what they have and what it's worth.

Then, they add about 45% on top because it's called an 'antique'.

 

[Jmatlock88]

Good place to find cool things to hang on the walls...old signs, old tools, etc.

 

[1/2 Cup]

As above, do your home work first.

We do buy a little from antique stores but you have to have a sense of what its worth in the first place, occasionally we get a fair deal.

Regards

 

[Gojeremy]

We have a bunch of antique stores around that i haven't gone into but just made me wonder.

 

[southalabama]

Antique stores are generally spot on their pricing.

I've found several things that I'd never seen anywhere else. I got a Dewalt factory repair sign. Also found a hand lettered wood sign that said "parts dept".

 

[Gojeremy]

Well if people that run antique stores do their homework on pricing, then so do people on ebay. I struggle to find good deals there too...and then shipping costs on top of it.

 

[Jmatlock88]

Well if people that run antique stores do their homework on pricing, then so do people on ebay. I struggle to find good deals there too...and then shipping costs on top of it.

Dig around for items that are improperly categorized, mislabeled, spelled incorrectly, etc.

 

[menkupalme]

They research what they have and what it's worth.

 

[dlcwent]

I think it depends on what you find in some of them. I bought a 8" wilton vise (circa 60's) for $40.00 this past fall. It was in excellent shape. I felt like it was a good deal.

 

[twertsy]

I grabbed several things this weekend. That Bonney Carb wrench kit I posted in the Bonney thread in the tools forum I got for $10. I also picked up some single items like 2 williams adjustables for $8 and a couple Bonney wrenches. But, you really have to dig! Most stuff is priced stupid. I saw one booth that had a box full of wrenches rusted so bad you couldn't see who made them........$8 each!

 

[Andamo]

Folks that own and run antique stores do their homework and bargains are just about non-existent. With all the TV shows like Antique Roadshow, there just aren't any bargains to be had even with outlying antique stores. Any bargains are to be had are at yard sales and Craigslist.

 

[A29]

Just sold a fold down luggage rack for an early 1930's car in my booth at the local antique mall. Guy said he was gonna make a shelf out of it.

 

[MoparTrucks]

Around here most antique stores are based on consignment where sellers rent booth space so its a mixed bag of people who may or may not know the value of stuff. I like to look for the "Antique" store that looks like Fred Sanford's place (and there are a lot of them around here) because you can find some real bargains.

 

[larry_g]

I've done fairly well over the years in the antique stores.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[G_P]

Most of the antique stores i've been to price their items like they are solid gold.

 

[PugetDude]

Most antique stores are just estate sales with overhead.

 

[kingstrider]

After 20+ years of searching antique stores about the only decent buy I have ever encountered are iron cornbread molds which I use to pour lead ingots for reloading.

 

[rusty1]

...better luck at estate auctions

 

[Steroblan]

Went to an antique store closing with everything 50% off. I found an old Walker mechanical lift-a-car jack for $35 with the original wood handle. They had alot of anvils and vises but they were too high priced even at 50% off.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

I've found the occasional deal, usually because the tool or item wasn't a true antique. Flea markets have been more successful for me, both the "good weather" version and the "inside old grocery store" versions.. and usually those folks selling don't do a good job pricing their items. A few diamonds in the rough there. Estate sales are usually a gold mine of themselves..


Dennis

 

[Gojeremy]

Finally went to a few that were in town and prices were ridiculous. Saw a cool tin snips but handle was too damaged.

 

[coljar]

It's hit and miss for me, but as others have said, I find a good deal now and then.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

I go to antique stores all the time, the other day I got an old wood handle Stanley handy-man screwdriver for 25 cents and a USA 1/2" drive speeder bar for a $1.00 there great sometimes just depends on were your at.

 

[kbs2244]

Try the "thrift stores" vs. the "antique stores."
Not the national chains like Good Will but the ones often run buy church volunteers selling donated stuff.
They can be less "market savvy."

 

[Brassmaker]

I've had luck digging through various antique store "sporting goods" piles. Got myself a load of presses and die sets a few years back. The owner thought they were junk because of surface rust! Used half of them; sold the rest online for a hefty profit. Most recently a friend and I have been scoring at non-franchise pick n pulls. Recently found a Belding & Mull powder measure circa 1920's... It was rolling around the floorboards of a transit bus!

 

[cowboy73]

It never hurts to look!

 

[uniballer]

I pick for an antique store and fill it with stuff that most of you guys would drool for. I have filled a 4000 sq house full and had to unload some.

 

[jim keris]

found some plomb wrenches for 1.00 each some bahcos too

 

[CaseyJoes.]

For me they are either way overpriced, or dirt cheap. I have gotten some pretty good deals in the past. I love it when I buy some oddball old tool or trinket and they ask me, why do you want that? I tell them I plan on putting it back into regular use! They just give me a weird look and I walk out the door whistling. Most people are so clueless.

 

[why worry]

You never know till you stop and look, Just picked up a Craftsman 18 X 16 mm wrench and an Indestro 3/8" torque wrench from an antique store in Sedona AZ for $2.50 tools looked brand new

 

[nolimits76]

Just depends. Right before Christmas, the wife sent me a text of a kitchen hutch she found. They were asking $250. We bartered down to $225. Apparently it was a consignment piece. It's a 1930's piece we later discovered is worth about $700+ in the good condition we found it. If we can find the flour sifter unit that goes in it, it's supposedly worth $1000+. We have no real need for the sifter, but have our eye out just in case.

On the flip side, went to an auction a few days ago and I saw a table and chairs go for $800 that was worth maybe $200-300 given the age & condition. The old lady buying appeared to be an antique store owner as she had a list and seemed oblivious to what she actually bought. All the items were going for high prices.

I haven't found any killer deals on tools at antique stores, and the signs I find tend to be replica $10 signs.

It just depends on your luck. I like to look at Craigslist, eBay (sometimes), auctions, garage sales, estate sales and antique stores. Sometimes we find nothing, sometimes jewels. Got me a Pepsi vending machine (60's circa) a few years back for $75 in working condition at an auction.

 

[Falcon67]

I have yet to find anything around here. Except for one trashed out shop with some "petrolina" stuff. And she wants $120 for a small "Leaded Fuel" ceramic pump tag. Same tag I bought off eBay for $25. Wife hates antique and thrift stores, so I don't go very much. But 98% of the shops here are junk and furniture.

 

[don long]

It's true that most antique stores cater to household items that are pricey.
However I have done very well in several antique stores. I go in with the additude that the price posted is an asking price, not the selling price

When ever I go on a road trip I make it a point to go into as many antique shops as I can. If they don't have what I am looking for chances are they know where it might be.

A good deal is only how you feel about the purchase at the time, after it goes into the garage the price goes away and you have your treasure. to me having the treasure is the win.

I have many treasures in my garage that could be sold for a profit that came out of an antique shop.