Some Helpful Tips For Getting The Most From Your Mall Shopping Experience.

Shopping at multi-dealer antique malls can be a mind boggling experience. Whether you're visiting one featuring the wares of fifty different antique dealers or five hundred...yes, there are malls with that many differnt sellers and more ...even the most seasoned shopper can find it a challenge.

The Row after row of nostalgic memorabilia;often packed floor to ceiling in booths ranging in size from mere cubby-holes to blocks of space that would make an interior decorator envious, can make for a wonderful or frustrating shopping adventure. And make no mistake... shopping at an antique mall is always an adventure!

Has this ever happened to you? You are shopping in a mall and you suddenly can't remember where you saw that 'whatsi' that you thought would look so great next to your sofa at home?

How about this? You found an item you've fallen in love with. You shop a little further and find another one you think is almost identical. Now you can't find the first one to compare prices, condition and so forth. Frustrating? You bet it is.

And what about: specific wants? locked cases? A mall's special services?

Here are some tips that will help you get the most out the time you spend searching for treasures.

SHOP LIKE A PRO

Keep A Notebook and Pencil Handy. It is not difficult to spend a couple of hours browsing in an antique mall. After a while, however,things can begin to look like one big blur,from having seen and inspected so many different pieces of memorabilia. It is no wonder then, that it is easy to forget: where you've been, a place you want to return to, the price of something you want to remember, and so forth. Jotting down booth numbers, row numbers (if they have them) or other important things you want to remember, is the way seasoned antique mall shoppers get the most from their visit, with the least amount of frustration and wasted time.

Wear Comfortable Shoes. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes because even though you will be shopping in a nice, climate controlled building, you will undoubtedly do a lot of walking. Searching For a Specific Item. If you are looking for something specific, make your first stop the front desk. There are two very good reasons. First, many mall operators are very familiar with their dealers wears. Some dealers, for instance, specialize in one particular field; clocks, dolls, quilts, etc.

They may be able to show you exactly what you are looking for. Secondly, some malls keep a "wants" book. If the one your shopping in does, you will be able to leave a description of what you want, and your name and phone number. Dealers check "want" books frequenty and if somebody has what you are looking for they will contact you.

A special note about "want" books. Antique malls get a percentage (usually) of every item sold in them. For that reason, the majority of them don't want to put buyers and sellers together for any kind of off premises side-deal for which they won't get a cut.(most malls take a percentage of each sale) That's why you won't find this helpful service everywhere. To get around this problem and still offer the service, some malls may call you when the dealers has brought the item to them and you can come in and inspected it in their building. This way the sale still is rung through the cash register and the mall retains their share. YOU ARE NOT under any obligation to buy the item, however, even if dealers and malls go through the process of bringing it in for you to look at.It still has to meet your satisfaction as far as condition, etc.

OPENING DISPLAY CASES

It can be a bit of a shopping inconvenience to have to look for help with a locked showcase. Just remember though, patience is all part of the game,that leads to 'juciest' rewards,in the adventure of treasure hunting in an antique mall.

For the most part,you will find a dealers most valuable and fragile antiques under lock and key. Besides the obvious damage factor of leaving things out on shelves,theft has become a problem for antique malls.Just as it is for other retail stores. Sometimes parts 'go missing'. Sometimes whole items. So locked cases are a sensible solution for certain pieces.

To speed the process along, be sure to give the mall worker the booth/case number so they can find the right key.The number may be posted on the case itself or on the wall in the booth. If you don't find it, then pick up any item in the booth and look at the price tag. Somewhere on that tag should be a number identifying that booth. This will save everybody, especially you, time and effort in connecting up the right key with the right case.

TRAVELING? LOCAL? CONSIDER YOUR PERSONAL PURCHASING NEEDS

If you are traveling and space is a consideration, ask the management if the mall offers a shipping service. Many will box and send your treasures home for you via UPS,or some other domestic carrier for no more than the shipping costs.

If you are making a round trip and wish to purchase an item that is bulky,the mall may be able to store it for you, on site, until you return. This can be especially helpful to dealers on extended buying trips.It never hurts to ask. Most mall operators are eager to help their dealers make sales and to turn their shoppers into repeat customers.

Local shoppers are generally expected to take possession of their purchases at the time of sale, and to make their own arrangements for getting their treasures home. However, when buying furniture or other large or heavy items, some malls can refer you to an individual or business they know of who offers delivery services. Some malls (but very few) will make deliveries themselves.To be on the safe side, always ask, before you buy, if delivery is a consideration in your decision to take an item.