I MAKE BIG PROFITS BUYING AND SELLING USED FURNITURE

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A FINAL WORD

If the idea of selling a piece of furniture for four times what you paid for it makes you feel a little like a "capitalist pig" . . . perhaps you're not cut out for this kind of highprofit enterprise. Just remember, though, that antique dealers charge whatever they feel they can get for their wares, even if they picked up the merchandise for free. (And don't forget that their customers are usually happy to pay every penny of the purchase price, or else they wouldn't buy the items[s] in the first place.)

Not that it isn't a good idea to practice a little kindness now and then by passing a savings on to your customer. If I get an exceptional deal on an item, I pass the savings right on to the next lucky person ... and so should you. When and if you cross paths with this individual again, you'll certainly be remembered ... either as a fool or a friend. (It doesn't matter which. The customer will still be more likely to buy from you the second time around.)

The used furniture business isn't for everybody. It's just for people who don't mind going to swap meets and auctions, surrounding themselves with fine old pieces of furniture, and earning $200 a week (or more) in their spare time. I know that includes me ... maybe it does you, too!

1. Antiquing From A to Z by Michael DeForrest (Simon & Schuster, 1975). Hard cover. $8.95

2. Collector's Price Guide to Bottles, Tobacco Tins, and Relics by Marvin Davis and Helen Davis (A & W Visual Library, 1975). Hard cover. $5.95

3. The Kovels' Complete Antiques Price List, 9th Edition, by Ralph Kovel and Terry Kovel (Crown Publications, 1976). Soft cover. $6.95

4. The Kovels' Official Bottle Price List , 3rd Edition, by Ralph Kovel and Terry Kovel (Crown Publications, 1975). Hard cover. $6.95

5. Primer of American Antiques by Carl W. Drepperd (Doubleday, 1944). Hard cover, $5.95

Oftentimes in your search for good used furniture you'll encounter a strikingly beautiful chest, rocking chair, or other item that could be even more strikingly beautiful if the object weren't painted algae green or mud brown. When this happens, don't pass the piece up ... instead, buy it and refinish it. Afterwards, you'll have an item that's much more valuable — and much more marketable — than it would otherwise have been.

It's not difficult to refinish furniture. Here's what you'll need in the way of supplies:

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