They thrive in many rural communities. Thousands of people mill regularly among their counters and booths, searching for the special items that will give them ties to the past. Some expert opportunists espy the value of the antiques or passe items as a chance for resale profit. Most of the flea market customers want the items for keepsakes, despite realizing that nothing is worth the exorbitant price tag placed on it. Garage sales and yard sales are growing in popularity, They are considered the convenient neighborhood flea markets for those who don't have a full day to browse to remote ones.
Most antique collectors make a hobby of the coveted items.
They research the history of their treasures and know their exact value. I am far from being an expert in the antique field. I can't answer many of the questions about them that are directed to me. I received a phone call awhile back from a woman in North Carolina. She was interested in the history of the old Sharon Iron Works, which was here in the late 1800s and early 1900s.