I could make this column short and sweet by simply telling you to go to the website eBay. EBay certainly has a wealth of collectibles from the '60s to choose from. But most of you you already knew that.
The following are a few alternatives for those of us who have tired of their cyberspace journeys and wish to explore for treasures in the world just beyond their backyards.
Goodwill, Salvation Army, and thrift stores in general
If you happen to have one of these types of retailers in your area, check them out. Pleased don't let pride or vanity stop you. There is absolutely nothing wrong in trying to find bargains among second hand merchandise.
In fact, you'd be surprised what some people give away as a tax write-off. I've found everything from rare Beatle albums to collectible dolls in these stores. On any given day, there's a rare item from the past just waiting to be purchased. And the beauty of it is that they're usually cheap.
Of course, it helps to be lucky. I've discovered that, through interrogation of the store managers, there is no rhyme or reason to store deliveries (if there are, they're not saying). Therefore, it's a matter of being at the right place at the right time.
If you are like me and simply don't have the time or patience to hang around store fronts all day, they're are alternatives.
Get to know the store manager. Talk to him, or her, on a sir or ma'am basis. Sometimes, if you're not percieved as being too pushy, you can call the store and find out if new goods have arrived. Bear in mind that the larger stores could get many boxes of product a day. Your contact could easily become confused and accidently throw you off track. An example of this could be your contact telling you by phone that albums have arrived, then finding out when you get there he or she was referring to photo albums.
It's important that you realize that you have competition in your collectible quest. These individuals could look just like you or me. They could be school teachers, taxi cab drivers, plumbers, dentiists, or pretty much anyone looking for a deal.
Some of these people even (heaven forbid) resell their purchases for profit. Not that you or I would do that.
The other thing worth mentioning about Goodwill and Salvation Army in particular, is that the sellable items are sorted through a central warehouse before they hit the stores. This is where it really helps to have a contact.
I once had a friend who befriended a warehouse worker (I believe money changed hands), and was periodically told by phone what stuff was going to what store.
Yard sales and flea markets
Yard sales in the '70s, '80s, and even through the early '90s, were a treasure trove of collectibles. Why? Because people simply didn't know the value of what they were selling. They would clean out their attics of 1950s comic books, baseball cards, and Elvis Presley records on the Sun label. Cobwebs would be brushed off and into the yard they went, there to be grabbed up by savy collectors. I know, I was one of them. I went mostly for the vinyl because. in the late '70s I had a used record store and I was always looking for a deal. But I wouldn't pass up on cards or comics, if I thought they had value.
Sometime in the early to mid '90s, the sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, and grandkids of these yard salers wised up and stopped their elders before they reached the front door. They wisely anticipated new and profitable venues for selling the stuff, or they persuaded their kin to just sit on it for a few years. Whatever the case, yard sales just aren't what they used to be. Don't get me wrong, good deals on collectibles can still be had, they're just few and far between. Now if you're looking for baby clothes......
I'm fortunate to have a large flea market not to far from my house. I go there often during the warmer months. Usually I find nothing of value. I am of the age where I value a good nights sleep on any given night and the thought of visiting a flea market at 6 in the morning has no appeal whatsoever. Usually when I'm wandering through at 9 A.M., coffee in hand, the good stuff is gone.
In the '70s, a friend of mine who now owns his own record store, would literally don a miner's helmet, and hit the flea market at 5 A.M., and he always found good stuff.
As with yard sales, all it takes is one knowledgeable person ahead of you to ruin your day. But don't let that stop you. Sleep in, grab a cup of coffee, and make an appearance. You never know, you could get lucky.
Another source for finding collectibles are your specialty stores. Don't expect great deals there. These store owners, for the most part, know exactly what they have. But if you're buying for your own collection any money isn't an option, then go for it.
Most towns or cities have one or more used record store, or baseball and collectable card store. Sports memorabilia, whatever, it's all out there. Just look in the yellow pages for a store near you.
Finally, be on the lookout for record or collectible conventions. They are normally advertised in the local paper or at the afore mentioned stores. Conventions were at their peak in the late '70s and early '80s, when it seemed like every weekend there was at least one close enough to drive to. Not so much now, but they're still out there if you look for them. Once again, don't expect great savings, the dealers at conventions are knowledgeable and have families to feed.
Of course there's always eBay. I sell on there and sometimes buy, and have never had any problems doing either.
Please e-mail me at lifeinthesixties@comcast.net with other suggestions or advice. Good Luck!