Clime a Tree

When I first entered the Antique and Collectibles Business, there was no Ebay. I would go to Auctions, or Yard Sales for most of my inventory, I had 2 small "Stalls" in a Antiques Mall. I sold anything I could get a good price, but small Tables and Chairs where my Meat and Potatoes. I did ok made my rent most months, and even made a small profit, that was plowed back into Inventory.

Had I known then what I know now, I could have made a nice living off nothing but Small Tables and Chairs, selling from a "Mall Booth" or two. Working a Mall a few days a week or month is a fantastic way to network with Dealers in your area. I got leads, and we would Buy and Sell to each other, and you learn so much. Also I got some very nice deals while answering the phone, from people looking to sell.

But rent is high, and time spent in the Mall is time spent not looking for inventory.

Then Ebay came along and everything changed, almost over night. The Mall I was at closed, and I had a great yard sale and went out of business. As part time as it was I still missed the fun of it, if not the money. I hated and still do not like Ebay..... but one must keep up with the times.

So it's been years since I've bought or sold anything. I have no inventory to speak of. I have been over the time keeping a eye on what was going on in the Field, but I had no Idea what the "New Antiques and Collectibles Business " was all about.

Trying to "Re-enter" the business after so long, starting from "Scratch" in fact, is very difficult. There is much more "Net Working" involved, and those who use the "World Wide Web" to it's optimum are those who do the best.

Yet there is still a strong " Real World " Market Place, and there are people who are building bridges to both worlds. Those are the people that interest me the most.

It seems to me, there is a "Spread" that has developed between the Real Brick and Mortar Markets and the Web Markets. More Collectibles becoming commodities, rather than rarities. Geographical boundaries are no longer a "Price" arbitrator, and communication is instant.

Eaby if nothing else has become the "Nasdaq" of the Collectibles Market. What does "Book Value" mean any more? 1st place I check for Price information is Ebay's Completed Auctions. If it is Mailable then the Web is the place to Buy and Sell, if it's difficult or expensive to ship well there is Craig's List now.

There is an Old Advertising adage " He who has something to sell, best clime a tree and YELL!"
The Tree has grown bigger than ever, yelling has become "Linking".

Here's my start.