The Rusted Gate

What you should bring:

Silver polishing cloth
Magnifying glass
Tape measure
Keep measurements in your wallet. When you are on the prowl for a specific piece of furniture, know the measurements of the area it will be fitting into. Don’t lose out on the perfect piece because you did not take the time to pre-measure. Remember, not many antique dealers accept returns or exchanges.
Keep a mental check list of things you are looking for. Product moves fast in the antique biz; you don’t want anything swiped from under your nose.
A nice attitude. When haggling, don’t insult. Don’t point out wobbly table legs, cracks in 100 year old barn doors, or chips on 1920s china. They are antiques. Instead, offer a reasonable price up front, no excuses needed.
Speaking of haggling, always have cash on hand. Not everyone accepts credit in the industry, especially when you are at garage sales or estate sales. Additionally, if you can offer cash, many dealers are willing to offer a deeper discount.
An empty car. You never know what deals you will find, or what you will not be able to live without.
Your creativity. You never know what you might find!