EBay, Collectors, Flea Market & Antiques

I did well with an antique shop, antique furniture was my bread and butter. I always sold a lot of beds. I had an old mattress and some old springs, so I could keep a bed set all the time. I'd put a nice quilt or crocheted bead spread on it and it usually sold within a few days. I'd go to the Canton flea market and load up on furniture and beds. I had a man who would weld and repair the fittings on old beds, both wood and iron. You need to advertise in an antique newspaper and your local paper and develop a mailing list (or emailing list). I tried an antique mall, but didn't like it, the good things would go immediately, but the things that needed a little talking up would sit there forever. I had my last shop in an old building and it was finally sold and was to be torn down. So I sent all my stuff to an auction and closed it down. But once you have antiquing in your blood, it won't go away. I started selling small items on Ebay and have been there for almost 15 years and I do very well. I also have a web site that does well. It takes as much work to sell online as it does to stock and maintain a regular store.