Manateejaq, be very careful when selling Coach bags. I’m not positive, but I think the one that you just sold may be fake. Note that at the center seam the C’s do not line up on both sides like they should on an authentic one. There are many sites that tell how to tell fakes such as:
Steve – Trav-L Bars always do well for me. The one you sold looks to be in really good condition. Those must have been a big holiday gift at one time, but many people never used theirs. Then again, how many times does one need to carry liquor around?
I paid less than $1 for this Phillie Phanatic mug in a large auction lot. I guess this was a Philadelphia sports marketing thing back in the day. These items don’t really go for much, but I didn’t see any mugs for sale, so I priced it at $19. http://www.ebay.com/itm/183525354005
I’ve had this ram sculpture for over two years. I couldn’t tell what metal it was made of because of the paint, but it was quite heavy. Most similar listings said that theirs was bronze, but I didn’t think that an artist would paint over bronze. Still, I priced it high with make offer, and it didn’t get much traction. I did lower the price, still with make offer, but it sold for full price of $89. I paid about $1 in an auction lot. http://www.ebay.com/itm/183624358210
From an auction lot of 4 vintage straw hats, this one cost me $2.50 and it sold for $35. I only have one left. Summer is coming. http://www.ebay.com/itm/183384451616
This reply was modified 7 years, 1 month ago by Sharyn.
Good stuff, Steven! Sharyn your sales resonated with me this week: I read Lewis Carroll very young and he’s still among my favorite authors to reread now and again. That’s a nice edition with the color plates! I have a couple different editions of the Alice books.
I grew up in Philly but moved away many years ago. I don’t watch sports and had forgotten about the Phanatic. He’s still around and he’s notorious – the most sued mascot in the Major leagues. He was attacked once by Tommy Lasorda. Also, the team does not own the copyright to the costume. Though it was offered, they were too cheap to buy it when they initially bought the costume in the ‘70s. That’s why your mug’s copyright says “Harrison/Erickson”, the original designers. The team finally bought assignment of the copyright later in the ’80s, for 100x more than what they could have gotten it for originally.
And that hat from Wanamaker’s – I remember being dragged there as a kid to shop for clothes. The store had a very interesting history, too. They were the first major store to price tag the merchandise, and were known for other innovations.
This innocuous little OD green canvas strap is a US Army issue item that was used by paratroopers during and after WWII to strap down a knife scabbard to their legs. The knife was mounted on the calf so if you got hung up in the trees on landing (or tangled on the ground), you could reach down and get to it to cut yourself free without having to mess with your harness or entanglement to get to something on your belt. The straps are typically unmarked as is this one but occasionally they’ll have a small trademark of the contractor stamped on the underside of the buckle. There must have been a million of them made and there are many on eBay but I’ve sold a few and I’m still getting a quick $19 plus shipping for them, often going to European buyers. https://imgur.com/IsSi64y
Combat boots! Most thrifts and flea market dealers are wise to what they can get for military boots these days (and all shoes in general, for that matter) and price them accordingly, but there is still money to be made. There are many variations and eras and a wide value spread between common and rare models and brands. These are jungle boots, with a black leather lower and green canvas upper. They are the quintessential Vietnam War item but were manufactured for many years afterwards, and also by civilian shoe companies that were not military contractors. There are some construction details and different types of soles that differentiate the rare from the common and they were stamped with nomenclature, stock number, contract number with date included, etc which helps with identification. This pair is 1980’s post-Vietnam, and a common version and brand (Ro-Search with panama sole), with all markings worn off and wear and scuffing (I think usually it’s better to leave these as found, unless they’re almost perfect in which case go ahead and polish and detail them), but still sold quickly for $49. They were $10 at Goodwill. https://imgur.com/2bZq1TU
I’ve had this vintage Mount Evans, Colorado souvenir China cup and saucer listed for several years. I thought it was very attractive and priced it accordingly but have been getting antsy about it and lowering my price periodically. Never many views and never any watchers. It finally sold to someone who lives in the nearest little town to Mt Evans and they were very pleased to find it for $27 plus shipping. Just needed the right person. Good support for R&J’s mantra to “list it and forget it”. I think I paid $10 for the set, though. Sheesh. https://imgur.com/IRCIjar
I still can’t believe that you can get good money for outdated electronics that were given out for free like this Vonage VOIP digital telephone adaptor. I got it years ago when I signed up for the service but never used it. It sold for $25 plus shipping. https://imgur.com/uQqyOpG
I have to remind myself when I’m out sourcing that people will buy cheap little tourist items like this wooden carved turtle. Paid a quarter for it at a yard sale, sold in a couple weeks for $13 plus shipping. $10 is the rock bottom that I will list and sell something for, and I only go that low if it’s easy to pack and ship and there’s little likelihood of buyer drama. https://imgur.com/Wwx9Hvy
Callou2131 who recently joined the forum was commenting on the high prices at Goodwill. Generally I agree and rarely bother sourcing there anymore, but my family headed out to one to shop for clothing for themselves recently and I tagged along. This farmhouse style signed redware pottery tray caught my eye at $4 and once I identified the studio (still in business in Hadley MA) it was a quick sale at $58 plus shipping. https://imgur.com/A0ODuM1
@Temudgin – I live in Central NJ; I’m about an hour from Manhattan and maybe an hour and a half from Philadelphia. The auction where I bought the the mug and the hat is south of me, so closer to Philadelphia. I get many Jersey Shore and Philly related stuff there.
When I go to the auction north of me, I get more NY and North Jersey stuff.
Wow Steve, some really good sales, and thank you all others for sharing the knowledge!
For me it has been a lower cost sale month so far with almost interesting bread and butter type sales. Yet here are some standouts. One is a really good one, another interesting one, a little one that’s good to know, and a repeat worth showing again.
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