• Auctions are the place to find vintage Halloween collectibles.halloween image by Silviu G. Halmaghi from Fotolia.com
  
  If you are searching for a vintage Halloween collectible to add to your collection, you can find them at a variety of auctions throughout the country. Depending on your needs, many vintage Halloween items are available to bid on through online auction sites. If you prefer to see your item in person rather than relying on Internet photos or websites, consider attending consignment and estate auctions.
  
  

eBay

• Bidding on eBay means you don't have to leave your house to find vintage collectibles. You can find vendors offering products that can be purchased right away without going through the bidding process. However, it's better to bid for the item to get a better deal. Closely examine the photos provided by the seller for authenticity marks to be sure that you are not buying a reproduction item. It's also a good idea to buy from trusted sellers with high ratings.
  
  

Proxibid

• If eBay is not your style, you can also find established auction houses that offer vintage Halloween collectibles for bid online, usually through a host site like Proxibid.com. Remember that you will be competing with live bidders as well as other online bidders. Proxibid has an audio feature that allows you to hear the auctioneer. The system is set up to record your bid as soon as you enter it, then a live person at the auction places the bid for you.
  
  

Consignment Auctions

• If you prefer to examine Halloween collectibles in person, you can find vintage items at consignment auctions. Consignment auctions are where items from many different people are offered for sale all at one time. Consignment auctions are often listed in classified ads, Craigslist or through online searches. You can also sign up for mailing lists through auction houses in your area. They may send you an email or, in some cases, a catalog advertising their next sale.
  
  

Estate Auctions

• Many estate auctions feature collections of the estate's owners that may include the vintage Halloween items you seek. To find estate auctions in your area use Auctionzip.com, which allows you to enter a zip code and search category and provides results featuring the items you're seeking. The site returns these auction results in a calendar format so you will have to click through the dates that are convenient to you. You can then review the listings for the items up for bid.