Dear Lee,

Ever wonder where we get the inspiration for this column? From the news. This week we read about how the Millennial Generation (ages 9 to 26) will change business over the next 10 years. Sales to this group-and that includes sales of antiques, collectibles and vintage items-will be promoted by TV, word of mouth and social-networking websites. Their tastes are more conventional than older people’s, but they are more civic-minded, more “green.” They will probably have larger families and be comfortable with ideas and products from other cultures. They are noted for quick decision-making-no doubt from constant multitasking.

So now is the time to start thinking about how the Internet will change the ways you buy and sell. We’re sure flea markets and shops will still be around, but they will have to entice buyers in new ways: perhaps by using a computer to post photos of their furniture in a period room setting or some larger items not in the shop. Or perhaps they’ll stream previews of what will be at a show. And sellers can remind potential buyers that they can send a picture of a possible purchase home to a spouse for approval or to a companion wandering on the other side of the show. Any other suggestions?

Here’s an old idea with a new twist. For years we have gone to flea markets and admired collectors wearing signs like “Spark plugs wanted,” “I search for iron” or “I want to buy an outhouse.” We learned the signs work; dealers often have things out of sight, under a table or even at home that will fit into the sign wearer’s collection. So we have created a Kovel T-shirt just for shopping. It has a large logo on the front showing the Kovel Collector Bug hauling a wagon-load of antiques. The bubble above it says “I collect” and there is space to write your favorite collectible. We even provide a fabric-marking pen. It’s available at Kovels.com-just click on the “store” link.

We are still debating what to write on our own T-shirts: probably “I collect everything” or “I collect bargains.” Ralph wants “I collect cufflinks.” An added bonus-when you see another collector in “our” T-shirt, be sure to say hello. You’re sure to make a new friend.

P.S. We have a new profile on MySpace (MySpace.com/Kovels). Visit the site and become our friend-or as the Millennial Generation says, “Friend us.”