I MAKE BIG PROFITS BUYING AND SELLING USED FURNITURE

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[1] Don't expect to get rich quick in this business. Instead, try to make the venture pleasurable and educational . The profits will take care of themselves.

[2] Don't invest money that you can't afford to lose (or have tied up in old furniture for a while). That is to say, don't finance your foray into the furniture biz with money which is earmarked for rent, utilities, car payments, etc. That old dresser you decided to buy may take longer than you thought it would to resell ... and in the meantime, you do have to eat.

[3] Be honest with yourself and everyone you deal with. The profit potential in this business is so great that you should never have to bamboozle a customer out of his or her money. (Of course, this doesn't necessarily mean you have to give away all your "trade secrets" to every client that comes along, either. Let your common sense — and your conscience-be your guide.)

With all this in mind, here's how you can go about making your spare time more enjoyable-and your spare cash more abundant-by buying and reselling old furnishings.

AUCTIONS: THE BEST SOURCE OF "GOOD BUYS"

The small-town auction — that energy-charged social event where friends and neighbors meet to discuss the weather, swap stories, and buy goods — is your best all-round source of future inventory.

Auctions are easy to find. Just look in your local paper's classified section under "Antiques", "Farm Equipment", or "Livestock". (The ads will usually say something about "household goods" if furniture or collectables are among the items to be sold.) Also — if you live in or near a small town-check for auction notices on bulletin boards in grocery stores and farm supply outlets.

Should you be lucky enough to have an antique dealer as a friend, you might be able to get him or her to put your name on the mailing list of one or more of the many flyers mailed out by the auctioneers themselves. (You can also approach the auctioneer at any sale you attend and ask if he mails out notices. It won't hurt to inquire.)

When you're choosing auctions to attend, stick with the ones held on a weekday and located 50 miles or more from the nearest large city. These sales are usually only attended by local people and farmers (and maybe a few antique dealers) ... folks who aren't willing to pay the higher prices that are common at big-city auctions (and sales held on weekends).

Also, consider bad weather an asset when you venture out to buy. Auctions and sales invariably go on regardless of weather conditions. When it rains or snows, however, fewer people show up ... resulting in less competition during the bidding and — therefore — lower prices.

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