May 17, 2013
The collecting "food chain" typically follows this pattern:
Garage sales, estate sales
Items may be under-priced, attribution may be possible. Time intensive, primarily for
full time dealers willing to spend the time.
Flea markets
Where many full time dealers flog what they don't list online. Unless you have unlimited free time,
more effective to pay these dealers a reasonable profit than to beat the bushes per 1. above.
Online sales
Including auctions and fixed price sales, relatively few bargain prices are offset by virtually unlimited
inventory, new pieces constantly being added. Ability to tap into international sources.
Collector shows
Expect to pay top dollar with few exceptions. Pieces not infrequently tinkered with to boost
prices. Travel expenses, meals and lodging, may be factors. Few if any bargains.
Generally prices naturally increase from step 1. through step 4, as pieces work their way up the food chain. The trick
is to define the venue(s) which best serve one's collecting needs and concentrate on those areas.
"If you collect anything long enough, sooner or later you'll become a seller/dealer too."
- taken from Tim Sloat with many thanks!