| These days it is more difficult to be invited into a | | | | 3. Referral from a friend. |
| house to buy antiques. In some towns, you need a | | | | Sometimes a friend will know of an older person who |
| peddler's license just to go knocking on doors. There | | | | is about to move into a nursing home. You can |
| are craftier ways for the modern pickers to get into | | | | contact them and offer to buy some or all of their |
| the house. | | | | household goods before they move. |
| 1. Answering ads | | | | 4. Mailing list--the secret method |
| Scan your local paper for items for sale you might be | | | | Buy a mailing list limited to people who |
| interested in. Call and arrange to visit the house to | | | | 1. have lived in the same house at least 15 years, |
| take a look at the item. Try to find items that they | | | | 2. are over the age of 64 |
| have stored in their basement or in the main part of | | | | 3. live in one of several towns within driving distance |
| the house so you can look around and see if they | | | | of your home |
| have anything else they might want to sell, too. | | | | 4. have no PO boxes in the address-street addresses |
| 2. During a yard sale | | | | only |
| At a yard sale, offer your business card identifying | | | | 5 have a phone number |
| you as an antiques dealer. Ask if they have anything | | | | Send a postcard identifying yourself, telling them that |
| else they might want to sell. Often they are busy | | | | you will be in their area on such and such a day and |
| with their yard sale, but they might bring stuff out | | | | will be paying cash for old unwanted household items. |
| for you to see, might tell you about some more | | | | Tell them you will call to schedule an appointment |
| expensive items inside, or even call you back later to | | | | then map out your day. Have fun! |
| come look at their antiques. | | | | |