11 places to find vintage toys

If you are an avid collector of vintage toys part of the thrill of collecting is the find. While online auctions and online stores the process has been simplified in some ways, but if you are into ‘picking’ here are a few places to consider.

Your family. Ask around, maybe you have a distant aunt or cousin who wants to de-clutter their house. Ask them to let you go through it before they place it on the curb or in a donation bin. Better yet, make an offer on the entire lot and pick through it at home, to see what treasures you have uncovered.

Garage Sales. This may seem to be a no-brainer, but ‘garage-saling’ has become both a huge hobby and for some, a way to sell their collectibles at retail rates. Usually the best day to garage sale is on the day it opens – you may get lucky, though, if you drive by the evening before and see if the owners are out (don’t develop a reputation as a garage sale stalker though). Ask if you can peruse, you may be surprised at how many say yes. If that doesn’t work, make sure you are there as close to opening time as possible.

City-wide garage sales. This is a great way to make a day of picking and collecting. Pair up with someone who has different interests, but can help you look for the things you are trying to obtain. Keep a cell phone handy so you can do the same for them.

Thrift Stores. The quality and quantity of content in thrift stores can vary widely. The crowds can vary widely as well. Get to know a handful of stores by collecting their sales brochures and visiting them on different days of the week. Once you get a feel for when new merchandise is stocked, you can increase your odds of being one of the first to view the items.

Flea Markets. These have long been a source for collectors. But buyers beware; make sure you know what you are buying and how much it is worth. Most vendors are straightforward and honest, but there are a few who try to exploit a buyer’s ignorance. Just don’t be that buyer.

Closeouts. Some stores are known for buying large quantities of closeout items. Get on their email list so you can be notified when there is a new shipment of stock. Remember, though, even closeout prices can still be high if the demand for the product is strong enough.

After-Christmas Sales. Actually after any major shopping holiday, go through the clearance section of stores that carry collectibles you are interested in. It is not uncommon for items to be reduced anywhere from 40-80%. Usually the longer you wait, the larger the discount will be, but there may be very few items to choose from.

Auctions. You probably already know about online auctions like eBay, but widen the net and you will discover there are several other reputable online auction sites. Besides online sites, many local auctioneers place their content online. Some simply place photos so you can see the contents before you arrive at the auction, but some offer online bidding as well. Oftentimes there is an advantage by going to the physical, instead of the virtual auction. Sometimes, you will discover that not everything at the physical auction was listed online –so you discover a deal you would not have known about by simply going online.

Collector Clubs. Chances are whatever you collect is collected by other people. Seek out local and national collector groups to share information – or to possibly trade, buy and sell with.

Pawn Shops. Yes, you can find great deals here, if you know what you are looking for. The advantage you have as a collector is you are knowledgeable in the things you collect. Pawn shop owner usually do not have the time to be extremely knowledgeable about all the things that come into their stores. The more of a niche collector you are, the better your odds are.

Trade Shows. Get on as many collector-related email lists you can so you can be informed of upcoming trade shows. Trade shows can be a great source for one-of-a-kind items that are not necessarily available to the general public.