• PC World
• »Consumer Advice

I first started antiquing online when I lived in New England. Cold weather made getting around to antique stores tough, so the Internet was the perfect solution. It was so convenient that I still scour the Web for antiques, even though I now live in sunny California.

Selling antiques online is cheap and easy--and that means your chance of finding what you want goes way up. Within two minutes of my most recent visit to the TIAS.com Antiques and Collectibles site, for instance, I found people selling several kinds of dishes that I collect.

And if you don't find something you want, many Web antique sites will notify you when an item is listed for sale. Yes, you'll pay for the shipping (and probably the insurance) when you buy on the Web, but you save money by not paying for overhead, excess inventory, and the store owner's inevitable 15 percent markup.

Know What You're Buying

I collect a lot of things, and I've bought a lot online, from Native American collectibles and sewing items to vintage clothing and Arts and Crafts pottery. But no matter what you collect, the condition of the items you buy is critical. Web sites almost always post pictures of items from all angles, as well as detailed descriptions of the item, including damage or wear. If you're dealing with a reputable site or dealer, you should be able to return an item not to your liking. (Always read the return policy before you commit to a purchase, and pay with a credit card, which gives you a bit more protection, when possible.)

Auction sites bring a critical advantage to antiques collectors: Unlike auction portals, where only licensed dealers can set up shop, anyone can be a dealer at an auction site. Wherever you find more dealers, the selection of items you'll find for sale--and, consequently, the likelihood that you'll find something you want--exponentially increases.

But the convenience of auctions can be a mixed blessing, of course. You may find yourself bidding against professional dealers or serious collectors, and for a highly sought-after item you might be better off hitting the garage sales, where you can find a bargain from a seller who might not know the true value of the item. But you can find great bargains using a site such as EBay, too. In my experience, the more esoteric an item is, the better chance you'll get it at a reasonable price from an online auction.