Before Evilbay& the computer

[bburtner@moran]

Ok,what was it like before Evilbay and the glorious internet?Example looking for a 1930s Gruen Curvex,where did you go?How about that vintage Stetson Stratoliner?Also for the gun freaks,Gunbroker?Shotgun news? gun shows?pawn shops,flea markets,junk shops,yard sales.Lets here any comments,if you have any,I am curious.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

You answered your own question.


Collectors' magazines. "The Recycler." The classifieds section of local newspapers. Antique shops. Junk shops. Auctions. Estate sales. Flea markets and swap meets. Pawn shops. I'm pretty much repeating what you already said.


.

 

[bburtner@moran]

I am stupid

Boy I am dumb!

 

[DBLIII]

I cultivated relationships with local (or as local as I could find) shop owners, whether antique or firearm. I'd ask them to watch for particular items, and I would do the same through newspaper classified for sale ads and writing letters --- remember that?? --- to people who might be a source for whatever it was that I was hunting for.
This process worked but needed patience because it wasn't instant like today. I remember finding an item after a two-year search, another after about one year. While guns were no bargain, and rarely are today, I found some antiques and old west clothing for virtually nothing.
I sometimes miss that. It was more like detective work and less like 'who is fastest at typing.' And even with ebay and the internet, it is still worth digging around person to person. Never know when you can be face to face with just the right person and come away with both parties happy.

 

[Foofoogal]

Once a digger always a digger. lol The messier the more I like it.
Treasure hunting must be in my blood.
I had an old dealer that always saved the best for me. Helps to be nice to old people.

Once upon a time people traveled and found different things in different areas. Like the Ohio area had pottery. This is why when the bay came on things looked so rare and prices skyrocketed. After awhile everyone went to their attic and found the same thing so prices went down. Supply and demand.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Boy I am dumb!

I think you're smart. You covered nearly all the bases very well.

.