You may remember this guest post from the Spring, and today I thought I’d bring it to my home page for a little more love. (Be sure to scroll to the end for more updates!)
People tend to clean out in the spring and summer, and that means that the antique, thrift, and second hand shops are booming with new items! When it comes to shopping for antique or thrifted items, I’ve learned some lessons that I’d like to pass on to you. Here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way, with a few of my favorite finds lately.
1. Have a list. It always helps to know what you’re looking for. It’s easy to walk into a shop (especially antique “malls” with tons of vendors) and get overwhelmed. Having a list will help keep you on track. On my list right now? A round table for our foyer and two upholstered dining chairs.
2. Do your homework. Just because a piece is beautiful doesn’t mean it’s “worth it.” Early on, I made the mistake of buying a settee that had great bones, but needed some work. I bought it without doing any research, and have found that having it reupholstered will make it unreasonably expensive. Also, if you are buying pieces to sell, browse a few other online shops to see what you could reasonably expect someone to pay for the item.
3. Always look up, and down! Some of my favorite finds have been ceiling lights and rugs. Don’t just look at the items in front of you.
4. Everything is negotiable. My dad taught me this and it is so true. Whether you are shopping at an antique or thrift shop or an estate or yard sale, there is always room for negotiating. When I’m in an antique shop, I always ask if I can get a discount on items. Most of the time, they’ll say yes. Just like Oprah said, “You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.” The same goes for shopping. Don’t be afraid to play a little hard ball.
5. Be practical. How much will it cost to repair, paint, upgrade, or reupholster the item? Do you have a way to transport it? I fell in love with a pink vintage sofa at an estate sale and it was an absolute steal, but figuring out a way to get it home was no picnic. (Let’s just say the hubs was less than pleased!) These are all things to think about.
6. Never buy new dishes. Why would you buy new dishes when you can get tons of gorgeous, vintage sets at a fraction of the cost?! Plus, they always make a great conversation starter at parties! And on that note, the same goes for jewelry.
If you live in NC, here are a few places I would suggest you try:
1. B&S Auction Gallery – Goldsboro
2. The Trove – Morehead City
3. Emily & Co. – Raleigh
4. Goldsboro Antique Mall – Goldsboro
5. Appalachian Antique Mall – Boone
I also troll Craigslist constantly, and check in weekly with the local Habitat ReStore, Salvation Army, and Goodwill. So there you have it. This spring, get out and test your negotiating skills and support your local economy. You’ll have some fun, and you might even score a few great pieces for your home!
Update: I’ve done a lot more shopping since this post, and have discovered a few more local favorites…
6. Ocean Isle Beach Habitat ReStore – think rich people remodeling beach houses…they get rid of a lot!
7. Sanford Antique Mall – I grew up in this small town and never knew what great finds were right under my nose.
8. Reid’s Country Sampler – located in Selma, NC. With a name like that, need I say more?
And though I’ve never visited, these are a few shops that have some seriously yummy Instagram accounts!
- Chances Are ATL {home}
- South Loop Loft {home}
- The Vintage Laundry {home}
- Vintage Fine Objects {home}
- Decades Antiques & Vintage {home}
- Again Dallas {home}
Where is your favorite place to shop for antiques and vintage?
I’m from NC and until 8 months ago lived there, if you go near JAARS, there are a TON of antique and thrift shops just busting with fabulous finds.
Thanks for linking up each week at The Southern Special.
What great tips! I love this! I am always looking for guest bloggers on my website Blissful and Domestic. My blog is about creating a beautiful life on less and this post fits right in with that :) Check out my blog and see if it would be a good fit for you. I’d love to have you!
Danielle@ Blissful and Domestic
http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com
blissful_and_domestic@yahoo.com
Such great tips! I just moved to an area that has TONS of antique stores and I’m itching to go! Your advice has helped me feel more confident about diving in :)
So glad I could help, Erica! Have fun!! :)
I’ve always wondered if prices are negotiable at the big antique stores with lots of venders. I was in one last week and heard a customer talking to the person who works there, and it sounds like it depends on which booth owner you are talking about. They were telling this customer the owner rarely discounted…and to try back in 6 months because that’s how long it would take for the item to get marked down. Other booths had sales going on. I guess it just depends.
Hi Karen! I think everywhere is different…in my experience, the store owners are allowed to give a certain discount if the customer asks, usually 5-10%. Any more than that, and the booth owner probably has to be contacted. Just remember: it never hurts to ask! :)
One of my favorite places to stop at for unique antiques is in Camden, SC. I love this quaint little town!
http://oursimplelife-sc.com/looking-for-treasures%E2%80%A6/
Visiting from Paula’s No Rules Weekend. Hendersonville NC has seven thrift and antiques stores, great bargains! Come visit the mountains.
Oh I’d love to make the trip! Thanks for stopping by, Carole! :)
Thanks for sharing your great tips. I especially need to put #1 into practice. I tend to find things I think I love, but have no idea what I would want them for. It’s really a good idea to have a plan.
Thanks, Karen. I learned that one from experience!
It is important to have a list, it’s too easy to wander around and want to buy everything. Thanks for sharing. Hello from The Creative Exchange.
Thanks for visiting, Melissa!
Hi, visiting from Paula’s no rules weekend link party. I liked the idea of look up, look down. It is good to add another technique to the shopping. Fran @travelgenee
I love looking around antique stores, and now my kids like to, too. I’m always on the lookout for milk glass. :)
What a great list of tips for when antiquing. I personally love going to Car Boots but there aren’t many on a Sunday around here which is the only day I have free! Dropping by from Magic Moments.
Thank you so much for linking up to Teach Me Tuesday last week. You are very much appreciated. Hope to see you again this week!! http://3glol.net/2014/07/28/teach-tuesday-14/
Have a great week!!!
I love reading this! Pinned. Please join us tonight at 7 pm and party with us. We would love to have you! http://loulougirls.blogspot.com
Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
I never buy new dishes. Great tips. Thanks for sharing this at What’d You Do This Weekend.
Linda
Love these tips! I want to be a better vintage shopper, so I’ll start putting some of these in practice. I grew up near Sanford in Goldston. The antique shops in Pittsboro have some pretty eye-candy too. Thanks for linking up at Gingerly Made!
Ooh, I’ll have to check out Pittsboro! My brother lives there.
Great article! We’d love to have you visit our shop in downtown Pittsboro! Reclamation
Home Furnishings has an eclectic collection of great finds at great prices compared to “big city” shopping!
GREAT tips! Thanks for sharing with the Merry Monday Linky Party!
Goodness that lovely yellow chair is so covetable! This is a nice post. I am an Interior Design student and this is definitely helpful for me in the future when I am already getting stuff for clients! #magicmoments
Thanks for stopping by, Merlinda! :)
Great tips – Thanks for linking up to the Bloggers Brag Pinterest Party.
Great tips! I love to go to the huge antique mall near our house, and I think my favorite recent buy would be a Pyrex dish that ended up to be discounted at the register. We went back another day and spoke to the seller to see if there was a mistake, and he said he discounted it because we were nice to talk to! Definitely gained new buyers :-) Thanks so much for sharing, and your post is featured in tonight’s What’d You Do This Weekend. Pinned!
Thanks so much, Ashley! :)
I really enjoyed your post. Great tips. I have a hard time asking for a discount, only because I am a local vendor, and it drives me nuts when people ask for a discount on my already low prices. Of course every situation is different, and I am sure there are some over priced thrift stores. I just shared some vintage finds of mine, if you are interested. Hope you will join us on Friday for our weekly linky.
Thanks for these great tips and links! I love vintage items but am always a little nervous to purchase any. I’ll definitely check out some of the links, especially the Instagram accounts. I really enjoy pictures to inspire me :).
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