Once you decide what to collect, then you figure out how. How you collect your pieces - be they big or small, is at the heart of antiquing and collecting. Yard sales, that bastion of bargain hunters everywhere, often yields surprisingly good results. Right along with yard sales are flea markets, otherwise known as permanent yard sales. We group consignment shops in with flea markets and yard sales.
Auctions come in two flavors.
Estate auctions or estate sales are the sale of personal goods of someone who has passed away or is retiring or moving. These often contain treasures that will never be available again. Then there's the local auction houses, hosting weekly or monthly sales that are open to dealers and to the public. Last, and most expensive, is the antique store or mall. How you decide to hunt depends on your time, your personality and your pocketbook.