Just keep your eyes open and they will come. Remember, if you pay what a kit is worth and it's what you're looking for, that's a deal. You don't always have to get a kit cheap for it to be a good deal. With that said, I do agree that LOTS of people have no idea what kits are worth. Be patient and watchful. Check eBay and CL and pawn shops. Avoid the "Dude, it's a Ludwig which makes it priceless" sellers and you should do alright.

Patience & vigilance.

I've scored a few bargains on eBay. They're few and far between (as you've noticed), but every once in a while you might see a listing where the seller doesn't know exactly what they have. Sometimes a close look at the pics reveals something the seller didn't notice or wouldn't know to look for. Sometimes just because a drum is dirty, tarnished, and neglected, the seller thinks it's just an old piece of junk. And if you're really lucky, they'll even put a low Buy It Now price on it.

Some guys here have scored fantastic bargains through garage sales and the like. There are even tools that can help you find yard sales with drums (or whatever else) like Yard Sale Treasure Map.

One guy in the last few days picked up a 1930-ish Slingerland snare in easily restorable condition at an antique shop for a ridiculously low price. He flipped it to one of us here on the forum for at least ten times what he paid for it.

I personally haven't had good luck at pawn shops in person, but others have found the occasional gem. I *did* buy a set of Sabian HH Regular hi-hats from a pawnbroker on eBay for under $100, though.

I love this place! Thanks guys. Yeah, I've figured that 'patience' is definitely a prerequisite, and I love yard sales, in fact I did make a great score at one a number of years ago, it's just being at the right one, at the right time. I'll be sure to try out that Yard Sale Treasure Map deal. That's one of the things I like about it, it's like a treasure hunt. The trouble with spotting a bargain on ebay, I've found, is that before the auction ends, invariably several others have discovered it as well - still learning the art of effective bidding. Appreciate the tips!

After over 30+ year's in dealing in vintage drum's.The place's i fine deal's are Junk shop's,yard sale's,Ebay,C/L. pawn shop's-{over the year's i deal with alot of pawn shop's around me i get first pick's on drum's}--Antique shops-{same dael i have with pawn shop's first pick's}--I also have friend's who pick up drum's for me that don't live near me...Mikey

keeping your eyes open is the key!

I found my kit in a friends garage after it was found on the curb downtown.

I found my snare on ebay from a guy who sells picture frames

Craigslist is great as are garage sales (its that time of year!) and estate sales.

Sometimes the best way to find something is to stop looking, and let it find you.

Hello...I feel your pain, I agree fully with Rogersling, Skydog and mikey. Patience, patience. I'm in a small town in Mo. so, I rely on the local music shop, they call if they come across a vintage trade in, just had to ask. Lots of patience with ebay and C/L. In other words...whats been said...hang in there, your patience, work and time is well rewarded with an incredable set of drums or drum...Joe

It's like playing roulette as well.

Some time ago I had the chance to by a vintage Premier's foot pedal for GBP 25.00 (Buy it now-price). Noone took the chance (me included CryBaby), as it was in absolutely mint condition, never played, sold even in it's original cardboard-box, also in mint condition.

I thought I'd get it cheaper, if the seller re-offers it again, starting at GBP 1.00.

The seller started the item again, finally selling it for GBP 52.00 Hurting - not to me ...

Hindsight makes you wiser always.

Ralf

You are about 10-15 years too late for the real deals........

I used to get 4 piece Slingerland etc kits out of the paper,with all A.Zils for $300-400 back than!

If you want to acquire more than one set of vintage drums, you must acquire the first one or two sets any way you can. After that, this forum and other online forums are great places to connect with other people who have similar interests. Chances are that you and another person each have something that the other one would like. Learn how to make trades that are equitable to both parties. Once my drum room reached "critical mass" I began bargain hunting on eBay and Craigslist and bargain bins at stores for things like vintage cymbals and vintage drum hardware. My current collection of drum sets are mostly drums I acquired by trading something I already possessed for something that I wanted more than the items I traded for them. I also have some great relationships with store owners around the country. These owners are all vintage drum junkies as well as being good businessmen. They often make trades for drums of equal value as mine if they think that they have a better chance to sell my drums quicker or for more profit than the drums they traded to me. The one reality that I accept is that a retailer is in business to make money. So, sometimes I will trade a retailer for something worth more than the items I get from the retailer. Adding a nice vintage cymbal to a drum set will often seal the deal for him to theoretically come out on top. Cutting to the chase: Learn how to horse trade to derive more pleasure from your hobby.