Get the Most Out of a Trip to an Antique Mall

Visiting an antique mall can be quite overwhelming, however, it can also be quite rewarding. I can still remember the first time I went into an antique mall. It was in central Missouri, and I couldn't believe what I was missing out on. Sure, I loved going to the local department store and buying new things, but I couldn't believe some of the items that were available. Where else in my town was I going to find a cute little blue lamp with fringe and beading, most obviously from a time period I could now only read about? At this point in my life I am officially hooked on both the items and the bargains that can be found within the walls of these magnificent places.

In an attempt to make my own trips to antique malls, I have developed some strategies that really work in finding the best deals and helping someone to navigate those vast expanses of some antique malls. When you first walk through the doors of an antique mall, in general, you will be faced with rows and rows of booths many filled to the ceiling with odds and ends, some valuable, some completely worthless. There are several things to both remember and consider when you enter the mall. First, don't let the massive amounts of "stuff" overwhelm you. Second, generally you are either going to an antique mall for one of two reasons either to browse or to find one specific item (both of which can change how you approach the mall).

The first obstacle you must overcome when entering an antique mall is not to become overwhelmed. Yes, there is a lot of stuff in an antique mall. Like I said before though, some of it is worth something some of it isn't. My best advise to someone looking at an item: if you like it, don't worry if it is old, an antique, or even worth anything. If you like it, those other things shouldn't matter. (However, if you are looking for specific items, like Baltimore Pear or Ballerina China, then that is something different, and you should consider whether or not you are looking at something authentic or the condition of the item.) I think that a lot of time people go into an antique mall with the mindset that everything is old and if it isn't, it isn't worth anything. If it is worth something to you, then it is worth something.

The second thing you need to consider when you visit an antique mall is if you are there to browse or if you are there to find something specific. If you are just there to browse and are not really looking for anything in particular, go through the booths slowly, if you don't get through the entire mall, don't think about the situation as missing out on something. You are not going to miss out on a deal or an item if you did not go to the mall specifically to find it. In fact, if you take your time and move slowly through the mall, looking closely in each booth, you will probably actually save yourself money in the end because you won't be hurriedly picking out items that you may or may not need, you'll have to actually think about things. Looking closely at booths also helps you to find those items that another customer might have placed behind a large item, while deciding whether or not to come back for it later.

A lot of times, when I go to an antique mall, unless I have an entire day, I am going to the antique mall for a specific purpose. For example, a lot of times I am look for a specific type of item, like a picture or a picture frame. I have found that the best way for me to approach my search is to go through all the booths taking note of ones with either a frame or a picture that really stood out to me. By doing this, I don't just grab the first thing I see. It is almost like comparison shopping, a lot of times I can compare prices and decided if the picture with the color slightly off is a better deal than the one that might seem perfect but is a little high priced.

One thing you must remember about visiting antique malls is that while they can seem quite overwhelming, you can find great deals, especially if you shop around. Do not settle for the first piece of Depression Glass you come to, do a little research at home, or look around the mall and see what other dealers are pricing their glass at, you never know, you might either be getting taken or you might have really found a great deal, but you will never know if you don't shop around. And remember, if it means something to you, then it is worth it, don't put that glassware back on the shelf because it isn't from the late 19th century. One mans trash is another's treasure.