BARGAINS : BROWSING PAYS OFF AT ANTIQUE MALL.

Byline: Trisha King & Deborah Newmark

If one of your favorite pastimes is browsing antique malls - centers that rent spaces to individuals selling their wares - you know that prices can run from reasonably low to outrageously high. One of the better-priced malls in our area is West Hills Antique Centre.

On the day of our visit, we zeroed in on a group of cut crystal goblets suitable for champagne or sherbet tagged at $14.95 each. Made in the 1930s and deeply cut in an intricate pattern, one would pay double or triple for goblets equal to these.

West Hills Antique Centre has 35 vendors selling everything from fine porcelains and curio shelves, to Hummels and jewelry. The selection - a mixture of antiques, collectibles, reproductions and a smattering of ``stuff'' that is relatively new - varies from visit to visit.

Some of the best deals are on furniture. A marble-topped Victorian dresser in mahogany with three large and two small drawers and a tilt mirror was $799 ($1,400 and up in pricier stores). Another good buy was an art nouveau wardrobe made of cherry wood with beautiful floral carvings and an oval mirror for $675.

Because there are so many things considered to be collectible these days, it's literally impossible for dealers to be knowledgeable about everything. For example, we've seen candlesticks from the 1950s reminiscent of candlewick collectibles, ranging in price from $5 to $20 within the mall. Some items are retail, such as delicate Cambridge Rose Point goblets at $45 each, and occasionally a ``find'' is possible. (About a year ago, we purchased an old plate here for $5 that turned out to be worth 20 times the amount paid.)

If you're in search of a particular item, add your name and request to the Wish Book. It may take months or even years, but a name is not crossed out of the book until the item is located.

West Hills Antique Centre is located at 6633 Fallbrook Ave. (Fallbrook Mall in Target wing), West Hills; [phone]. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. All major credit cards are accepted. Layaway is available with one-third down, balance due in 30 days. All sales are final.

Inside info

Maximum Security Central specializes in safety merchandise at a discount. They sell items such as pepper spray (15 percent solution) for $10.97, can safes for $7.99 (elsewhere $9.99), steering wheel lock with a built-in alarm for $39.99 (a Club without the alarm usually $30 plus) and a safe that looks like a head of lettuce you can put in the refrigerator for $14.97 and many other safety devices. Maximum Security Central is located at 8515 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; [phone]. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

If you work at a school nonprofit 501(c)3 agency, tear out this article and post it on your refrigerator. The National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources (NAEIR) is a charity clearinghouse that gathers donated new merchandise and then donates them to schools and nonprofit agencies. Recipients pay only membership dues of $275 to $575 plus shipping and handling. They offer a no-risk guarantee, stating you will receive at least twice your membership dues in merchandise. Over 240 members in California have received donated items such as office supplies, toys, games, classroom materials, janitorial supplies. These items and many more are featured in a 250-page catalog that you will receive with your membership. Call NAEIR for further information. NAEIR is located at 560 McClure St., Galesburg, Ill. 61401; [phone]. Hours are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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Photo: Rebecca Hunt has pulled together 35 vendors in her West Hills Antique Centre in Fallbrook Mall.

Terri Thuente/Daily News