I think smokingpipes.com is a good place to start if you've never bought an estate pipe. The pipes are carefully inspected and accurately described and honestly graded for condition, and as mentioned sanitized. If you pay a few dollars more than you would on ebay, it is easily worth it because you will get what you order in the condition described. If something is wrong, they will make it right. Later, if you want to do your own reconditioning and sanitizing, and take your chances on what you get, you can try other sources. But to reduce frustration in the beginning, SP is a good place to start. After that, flea markets and antique stores may be a good next step, where you can see and handle a pipe directly and not rely on an intermediary seller to photograph and tell about it.