When you think of antiques, what makes your heart soar? Jewels? Books and prints? Furniture? Carpets? Paintings? There's no doubt that antiques possess qualities that makes modern merchandise pale in comparison - qualities like exquisite craftsmanship, character, attention to detail, and timelessness. Similarly, American items that are considered to be antiques - the older items you might find at estate sales and auctions - are youngsters when compared with Wisconsin antiques.

If you collect antiques or are an antiques dealer, you really haven't lived until you've gone on a Wisconsin antiquing trip. If you're taken aback by thoughts of the expenses associated with such a trip, it may be time to think again. By connecting with others who have experience in Wisconsin antiquing and by employing the right strategies, you can find the treasures of a lifetime at bargain prices. Here are five tips to ensure success:

1. Rely on the experience of others. If you're new to the Wisconsin antiquing scene, hook up with others who have practical knowledge about finding the best Wisconsin antiques. There are Wisconsin antiquing trip tours specifically designed for those who are looking for a great selection at great prices, so take advantage of their expertise. Even if you have been antique shopping in Europe before, it's refreshing and enjoyable to travel with others who share your interests.

2. Look out for reliable online antique shops : buying and selling antiques from online antique stores make for a wiser idea than wasting your time and money out. You can work on your hobby from the convenience of your home with the minimum investment which just requires you to have a PC and an Internet connection. Here, you can not only shop for antiques at great price but also book them without any hassles.

3. It's all about timing. If you go on a Wisconsin antiquing trip during the peak season, you can forget about finding bargains. When's the best time to travel? As is the case in the United States, the Wisconsin antiquing business is slow from the latter part of November through Christmas. If you time your trip correctly, you'll be finding bargains in Italy while everyone else is at the mall.

4. Plan ahead for shipping. You don't want to have to drag your purchases around from country to country, and you probably don't want to deal with the hassle of declaring everything when you come through customs on your way home. It's best to use a trusted shipper in each of the countries you visit and complete all of the customs paperwork at that time. Better yet, it you use a tour company that specializes in Wisconsin antiquing trips, they will arrange to have all of your items (and those of others in the group) shipped to their warehouse, where you can pick them up stateside.

 

Are you an antique collector? Are you a serious collector that is looking for a specific antique such as a certain piece of furniture, a unique car, or perhaps a specific antique painting that suits your taste? If so, then you know it is not always an easy task to find the items you are looking for, especially if you don't know where to look.

Maybe you just love to shop for different antiques on a smaller scale. This could include collectible items such as toys and figurines. There are many different types of antique art that can be purchased and even a wide variety of antique books may be found. The key is to know where to find all of the great items that are out there.

Finding your antiques

So the question that many collectors have is just where to find the good stuff anyway? The thing that makes being an antique collector different is that you can't just go to the store and buy the item you want, no matter how much money you have. It can literally be an Easter egg hunt to try to find the treasures you seek.

When you are shopping for antique collectibles but do not have a specific item in mind or if you do not plan to spend a large amount of money, then a flea market is a great place to shop. However, if it is a specific item you are looking for, then many sites on the Internet can provide you with the location of these items. For instance, if you are looking for an automatic musical instrument, then MBSI is an organization that can provide you with many of these antiques. Several of these musical instruments may be viewed, bought or traded by its members at the conventions that are held. There are also many advertisements on the organization?s site that list antiques that people sell all over the country.

Another great organization that can supply you with automatic musical instruments is AMICA. This site can stun its visitors with their elegant antique player pianos. Organizations such as these can provide you with information on dealers both locally and from around the world. There are also many organizations that let you subscribe to lists that will tell you when they have sales and auctions for antiques.

Looking Online

There are many places online where you can look for antiques. The great thing about the internet is that it brings a much larger world straight to you. GoAntiques.com is a site that can help you locate a specific item by pinpointing precisely where you should look. If the item is being sold in more than one place, they can give you this information, allowing you the opportunity to find the best price available for the antique of your choice.

Anteq.com is another useful site. This company caters to antique collectors, antique dealers, and antique malls of the world. Anteq.com is committed to meeting the needs of the antiques & collectibles community by providing professional software and support.

eBay is yet another popular place to look online for antique collectibles. There are people from all over the world buying, selling, and trading collectibles and antiques on eBay. Some of the best deals out there can be found on eBay. Another great thing about finding your collectibles online is the wonderful and wider selection than you would find at a local show or sale. If you do not have a specific item in mind but are looking in certain categories such as, books, paintings, or coins, online sites such as eBay is a terrific place to look for these types of antiques. Antique jewelry and dishes are also a big hit with collectors and can be found on this site. It is one of the fastest and easiest ways to shop for collectibles.

Joining Clubs and Groups

You might also want to check to see if your local town or city has an antique collector's club or group that you can join. This would be a way for you to meet other people who share your passion and who can guide you to some of the best places to find what you are looking for. If none can be found in your town, why not start one yourself?

Antique collecting is a passion for many people. Finding the right collectibles may not always be easy. However, with perseverance and patience, you will be sure to find that perfect antique collectible you have been seeking.