most of the small antique dealers i talk to acquire "deceased effects" directly from executors or trustees, or from "totters"=people formerly with handcarts or small vans today who clear out junk from homes, or buying mixed lots in boxes at local auctions because there is china, pictures or silverware or something else in the lot that they know they want. Sometimes also they trade with each other. Thats why they arent terribly interested in the small bits and pieces...
if you appear keen they may tell you some story they think you want to hear...