May 18th, 2011
The A-B-Cs of Aberfoyle
Every weekend, dealers and deal-seekers converge at Aberfoyle Antiques Market, just outside Guelph. A designer’s dream, these twenty teeming acres would make even the Collyer Brothers blush. But hidden in the clutter are plenty of gems; you just have to know how to look.
1. Go Early or Go Home.
Serious pickers don’t sleep in. If you want the trip to be worth your while (and the truck rental), get there for gate-open: 8 a.m. P.S. Unless you like hot dogs and Grape Crush, pack a lunch.
2. Bring Cash. No vendors accept plastic, and ATM lines are looong.
3. Avoid Specialized (Read: Pricier) Booths. Want an old comic book? Try a vendor with an assortment of stuff rather than one with just comics. Most often, he or she will charge less than the dealer with an M.A. in Marvel Studies.
4. Get the Two-For-One. If you see something you really like, take another lap around the booth and find something else. Most vendors offer a bargain for the both. And yes, prices are always negotiable.
5. Bring Your Own Bags. To avoid tiring, time-consuming trips to and from the car, purchases in hand, bring bags. Once you've paid the vendor, they’ll often agree to put your purchase behind the booth in a bag. When you're through, circle back and take it all home in one go.
—Carli Stephens-Rothman
