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Came across a Le Creuset dutch oven at a thrift store the other day. I’ve never sold one, but I know they go for good money, so even priced at $30 with some light scratches and discoloration inside, I hoisted it into my cart.
As I continued shopping, several people spotted it and commented that it was a good find. One guy asked to see the inside and told me that I should put it back because the discoloration made it unfit for use. I didn’t follow his advice, and there’s no way to be sure, but I suspect he would’ve snatched it up as soon as I turned the corner. After researching when I got home, I learned that it’s easy to get the stains out by soaking overnight with 3 parts water to 1 part bleach (worked beautifully) and, even if the scratches had been deep, there’s no danger in using it as it’s just cast iron underneath.
Would you ever try to talk someone out of buying something for no reason other than you were hoping to flip it yourself? I’d like to think I wouldn’t, but wonder if there might be a $$$$ amount at which my inner Cujo couldn’t be constrained.
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Ha. We’ve had guys do the same to us, especially at auctions. “All stuff is junk. I wouldn’t bid on it”. Then they’re the first ones to bid.
I know I try to personally not obsess about items that other people find. I’ll people with awesome things in their carts and just tell them they did well. Plenty of other stuff to buy.
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Yes, those Belgium cast iron items sell well. Double box when shipping as cast iron is actually a bit fragile.
At live auctions I look at everything, but only “cursory,” as if you study something hands-on too much, others notice and will conclude it might be valuable. Nothing is more fun than getting something dirt cheap that you know is valuable, since no one else fawned over it.
Likewise I have fawned over things at auctions hoping to drive up interest by my competitors, knowing all along it wasn’t worth much (by using my phone to check eBay solds). All part of the game.
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On a positive note I picked up a vintage vest jacket at an estate sale and was about to put it back because of some discoloration when a man commented about how desirable they are. It made me read the tag and realize I could wash it even though it was down in suede. I ended up making good money on it.
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Found out that my dog-eat-dog is low. A guy in the suits sections asked my opinion on a sport coat. I told him the truth and looked for a better one for him, showing him details that you should look for. I looked to see the size and cringed when I saw the label…I would have loved to sell it.
But it fit perfect and he thanked me and left happy.
I smiled and kept picking…
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I wouldn’t call it hyper competitive until your making offers on stuff in people’s carts. I check out what people have in their carts if they look like re-sellers out picking. Usually I won’t start a conversation though unless they do. Mostly I just want ideas for things I overlooked that would sell.
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Not rabid, I think once upon a time I was somewhat rabid, but not now.
I’m genuinely happy to see someone else make a score, if they are on the fence about it, then I might jokingly assure them that if they set it down I WILL snatch it up…but that’s about it.
I find more than enough stuff for one person to deal with some days, sometimes it even finds me.
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I find myself checking out other peoples houses…looking around wondering how much I could sell stuff for. In fact, there are a couple restaurants who decorate with cool vintage items… I wonder if they would mine me taking stuff off the wall. HA
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