10 Top Places to Buy Antiques at Reasonable Prices in New England

Although it’s not located in New England, The Antiques Warehouse in Hudson, New York is nearby and also has an incredible collection of unique finds, including some architectural salvage, antique and vintage jewelry and accessories, vintage clothing, advertising, and vintage furniture. It’s well worth the trip. As a bonus, there are many other antique stores you can visit in the area while you’re there.

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Estate Sales

I have found all kinds of things at estate sales including vintage furniture, old textiles and quilts, dolls, vintage books, antique jewelry, oriental rugs, porcelain, and even some French antiques. In Connecticut, estate sales organized by private companies can be on the pricy side. If you want a good deal, bring cash and make your purchases on the last day. There will be less inventory, but you’ll have more negotiating power.

Tag Sales

Tag sales tend to be hit or miss, but when you hit a good one, it can be the motherload. Items often sell for very low prices, especially if you browse towards the end of the sale when the seller is motivated to see things go. I’ve purchased a wide range of antiques and beautiful vintage fabrics, different styles of jewelry, vintage furniture including bookcases, side tables and chairs, books and lighting. As a rule of thumb, if I see baby equipment and clothing on tables outside of the house, I drive by. If I see old furniture, I park my car and shop.

Flea Markets

Flea markets can be a paradise for antiques collectors. I live an hour away from Brimfield Massachusetts, the site of The Brimfield Antique and Flea Market which takes place three times per year and involves thousands of dealers. With such an extensive selection, there is something for everyone, including smaller collectibles as well as larger items like furniture.

Closer to home, I highly recommend The Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market in New Milford, Connecticut. It will take you several hours to see everything and you never know what you’re going to find. They often have antique furniture, vintage books, children’s toys and games, clothing, jewelry, vintage advertising, vintage hardware, lighting of all kinds, baskets, clocks, and glassware. The sellers will usually negotiate with you, particularly towards the end of the day.

Facebook Marketplace

For excellent prices and a wide variety of antique and vintage items, it is hard to beat Facebook Marketplace. I particularly recommend it for larger items like antiques and exceptional furniture and rugs. Be patient if you don’t immediately see what you’re searching for. A few days later, the item will likely appear.

If you’re lucky, you’ll shop with a seller who is moving, and just wants their belongings out of the house. The only downside is that you’re not dealing with professional sellers. This is frustrating when you contact a seller who never gets back to you or they neglect to take sold items off their site. Still, it’s a small price to pay for the deals that you can find on Facebook Marketplace.

Antique Shows

When I first started antiquing in the early 1990s, I went to many antique shows, but they occur less frequently than they used to, at least in Connecticut. I’ve purchased some truly special antique furniture and collectibles at shows. As a result, when I’m fortunate enough to find a show, I go to it.

Antique shows and auctions are often listed in an excellent an informative weekly newspaper called Antiques and the The Arts Weekly. I’s a great reference if you want to learn more about antique furniture and collectibles, as well.

In-Person Auctions

My husband is convinced that in-person auctions are the best sources for antiques at good prices. He has bought oriental rugs, paintings, old vintage signs and high end antique furniture at auction. I don’t share his enthusiasm, because I dislike waiting for my items to come up. If I don’t win the bid, I feel like I wasted the day. I also don’t enjoy making decisions under pressure.

That said, there is no question that you can sometimes get a good deal on the item you want. If you go to an auction, my advice is to formulate a strict plan about what you intend to buy and what you are willing to spend for antiques. This will help you avoid decisions that you may regret later. Remember to factor in auction fees and taxes when you calculate your bottom line.

Some of my favorite auction houses in New England and New York are listed below:

• https://www.nadeausauction.com/

• https://www.copakeauction.com/

• https://www.fontainesauction.com/Online Auctions

Online auctions are very popular and more convenient than live auctions. I recommend Auction Ninja for reasonably priced antiques and vintage items. I generally bid on local auctions so I can conveniently pick up any antiques that I’ve won. My husband has sometimes widened his search to New Orleans and other Southern states, happily taking a road trip in his van to collect his treasure and stopping at antique stores on the way.

Of course, you can find plenty of online auction websites and businesses to choose from, including 1stDibs, Chairish, Invaluable and others. Sotheby’s and Christie’s are well known worldwide and have a long-standing and well-deserved reputation as experts in their fields. However, they tend to feature important and expensive antiques, so they don’t fit into the “reasonably priced” category that’s the focus of this article.

Ebay

Ebay is my go-to source to shop for antiques online, especially if I want to shop for something very specific. This saves me years of looking for something I may or may not ever find.

I particularly appreciate its convenient features. Shopping from home, flagging relevant items I want to be notified about, watching items so I can return to them later, and being able to make an offer to the seller all make for a positive experience.

Online Antique Stores

Antiques can be found for reasonable prices at an online antique store like Etsy. Etsy has a fairly extensive selection of unique finds for collectors who like to buy antiques online and feature some very pretty jewelry and accessories, as well.

For online shoppers with deeper pockets, One Kings Lane has numerous online boutique boutiques selling antique furniture, collectibles, fine art, and other pieces. Ruby Lane features more than 2,000 stores, so there is plenty to choose from on their website. Sotheby’s and Christie’s both have pre-priced items in addition to their auctions, so buyers can shop their online antique stores at their leisure. There are other online antique stores that are less well-known, but still worthy sources for quality online antique shopping.

Bonus Tip – Thrift Stores

Shopping at place like Goodwill and Salvation Army can result in finding the occasional worthwhile antique, but it is far from assured. I have it on good authority that the key is to shop often and early in order to snag the good items as soon as they are shelved.

Recently, I was surprised to find an antique oak desk and good condition at a nearby Goodwill store for seven dollars, which surprised me. I have found some nice glass pieces, silver plated pieces, porcelain, books and vintage and costume jewelry.

If you like to repurpose vintage items, thrift stores can be a treasure trove. As an added bonus, proceeds benefit community programs and charities, so your dollars go to good causes.

A hidden gem located in Hamden, Connecticut is a tiny business run by volunteers called The Barn Sale. They consistently have an impressive collection of vintage jewelry, all kinds of serving pieces and dinnerware, antique furniture, art and collectibles. Prices are fair and consigned pieces drop in price the longer they’ve been on the shop’ shelves. Even if you don’t purchase something, it’s fun to browse.

Free Stuff

It is sometimes possible to acquire antiques and vintage items for free. For instance, some towns have curbside pickup and/or bulk pickup for refuse and unwanted belongings, and some of these items are in very good condition.

After a tag sale or estate sale, sellers will sometimes leave unsold items by the side of the road to spare themselves the trouble of packing them back up. If you have a way to transport them home, they can be yours.

In addition, if your friends and family know that you collect certain antiques and vintage items, they may give you theirs at no charge. Sometimes people just want a good “home” for their collectibles, and knowing that you will provide it is payment enough.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many great options for buying antiques at reasonable prices in New England. These tips will work in many other locations as well. You only have to choose the ones that work best for you and your budget.

Happy shopping!https://youtu.be/fJa1alO7zfU?si=qTG0V-MPnBNtWcP1