Home › Forums › Buying and Selling › Scavenge/Sale of the Week › Scavenge of the Week September 10-16, 2023
- This topic has 13 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 4 months ago by
ChristineR.
-
AuthorPosts
-
-
09/18/2023 at 1:18 am #101084
My health meter was restored this week, so I got back out there and did some scavenging. It’s library sale season and I hit four this week. One was a total bust and another was the local town’s library, which is small and low quality but I can walk there in about 20 minutes or drive it in 4. I’m still not 100 percent in terms of energy, so I made the shortest drive I’ve made to look for eBay inventory. As usual, it was not worth the trip, but I found 3 DVD’s — two extremely obscure and one which might sell for $10 on auction if I ever get it listed. As I was about to check out, two of the old volunteers were struggling to set up a heavy table so I put my stuff down and helped them. Then when I went back to the checkout table, a third old lady said…now I’m gonna give you a special discount since you helped…and then she charged me full price anyway! The old ladies in the town’s thrift store have a similar attitude to this. Multiple times I’ve shopped there and heard them having conversations about how “young people” don’t want to work hard. Now I’m wondering if it’s intentional…and maybe a sign that I need to move!
The other two sales were much better.
The first one was a preview sale at a local county library. It costs $10 to get in the door on preview night, but I like to go anyway because I always find good stuff. This time was no exception, and because I didn’t get there until ten minutes after start time, no one ever charged me the preview fee. Good to know for next time. I spent $17.50 total and the big prizes were a bundle of instructional wrestling DVD’s (not WWE unfortunately, the grappling kind of wrestling), a signed Eiffel Tower Restaurant cookbook (nice sell through rate) and two RuneQuest tabletop RPG box sets from the 80s — the player’s box and the gamemaster’s box. If both of those are complete, I’ll be up $100 regardless of what I do with the rest of the stuff.
The second was a town sale which goes on every few months like clockwork. Those sales are not always great, a lot of the same stuff. But this one is s a town in an affluent area and they always have something interesting, so it has been one of my regular scavenging trips for the last few years. Plus Saturdays are no scanners allowed, so it’s a chill environment. I dragged my ass out of bed a few hours earlier than I normally do most Saturdays and made it to the sale a few minutes after opening. I always go straight to DVD’s and CD’s at this sale since they like to do buy 1, get 1 or buy 1, get 2 (which was the promo this time), but their media items have been pretty weak the last few times I’ve gone. I briefly contemplated my own mortality (as I always do at sales which look like they will be a bust) and shuffled around the perimeter a few times. I circled the special items table but nothing looked promising, then I regrouped and found a few magazines that looked interesting. I’m loathe to list anything under $20 buy it now (which I send to auction at a $10 opening bid after a few months), but a surprising number of single magazines and small lots hit that number. $0.25 for a magazine is a small price to pay for doing research in a new category and learning about my level of excitement for taking pictures and creating a listing for a new type of thing. I tossed the magazines in my bin, did another lap in the opposite direction and then I saw two carts near the entrance which had a Jazz, Blues and Rock Music sign with some musical notes doodled on it. They love their doodled-on signs at this sale.
As soon as I scanned the first cart, the waves of doubt coursing through me began to disappear and I realized I was right where I was supposed to be. I swept up a handful of Rory Gallagher DVD’s (good in a bundle if they sold less than $10 individually, and remember it’s buy 1 get 2) and started leafing through the books, which were most of the cart. Lots of biographies on small presses published 10 years ago or more. This was someone’s collection, something they built over years, and they had great taste. Moment of silence (I assume the original owner is now dead, for some reason) and then I spent a good 30 minutes shuffling through the dead guy’s books and debating. Most of the books were $5 and under, so it was just about figuring what would go $20 and up or what was cheap and would make sense in a bundle. Occasionally another library sale patron was stop by and I tried to engage them in small talk. One guy actually talked to me. He assumed I was a musician from my interest in the cart and I went along with it because I like to go along with what other people think of me. I do love music and would love to learn to play. My temporary friend was an artist and excitedly told me about an estate sale where he had bought lots of oil paints. I was excited for him and told him that. Finally he left and I could get back to what I was doing, which was going along with the idea that I was making money and spending my time wisely. I selected a few handfuls of books and stacked them in my bin if that persuades you in either direction.
Eventually I found one of the volunteers and asked if they had any more Jazz, Blues and Rock to put out. I love this stuff, I told her, and I wasn’t lying. We have a few more, she said excited, I’ll bring them out to you, and when she did she told me, Isn’t this a great collection? I listed a bunch more on eBay for $100…
I had a moment then, but I’m not sure what it was. I didn’t want to say anything to her, but if I did here is what I think I would have said:
1. Hey! That’s supposed to be my items listed on eBay for $100!
A. You’re literally stealing food from my kid’s mouth, what’s wrong with you? Can’t librarians who shouldn’t be selling on eBay think of the children of people profiting off book sale donations on no scanner day?
Note: It’s important for you to know, for comedic purposes, that I don’t have a kid.
2. Are you sure that’s the right price? And how do you know?
This is my first response anyone ever talks to me about anything related to eBay, by the way. I always assume they’re doing their research wrong, which probably says something about me.
3. Just because you listed something on eBay for $100, big whoop. Anyone can list anything for any price.
Like you, with your “books” that are “on eBay” for “$100.” I’ve tried watching some of those YouTube videos on Amazon sellers this week and there were lots of graphs and percentages and shit I didn’t understand. I like using Terapeak for research and selling on eBay. Is that old school now?
4. How are you shipping these books? What are your numbers? How do you, old lady, even know how to use eBay?
I guess I am as bad as the old gossips at my town’s thrift store and library sale, just in reverse. Also, again with the thinking that anyone who’s not me is incompetent and unable to ship things. Even though I’m almost definitely right…!
Actually, I did say something to the lady. I said, I’ll take that one, pointing to one of the cheaper books in her stack which she had said was $10. She said, Let me go get a sticker for you, and I waited and waited and finally she came back. Then she did something odd. She said, Oh but you don’t have to put the sticker on the cover, and she stuck the sticker on one of the plastic gloves that are always covering my hands at book sales. I thought that was bizarre, but I kept the sticker on my glove and not the book at checkout, and they only charged me $1 for it. I assume that was her intention, and we’ll never speak of this again.
Then, the old guy at the checkout undercharged me by a lot. I had everything sorted by price because I am a pro, and while the old timer was tallying my tab, he was also interested in helping the volunteer next to him inspect an item with confusing price stickers. My volunteer’s nametag said he was the vintage books guy and I guess my 90s music biographies of 70s bands weren’t vintage enough for him. Also, at a certain point, he lost track of adding things and once he finished counting all my piles, he threw a dart and said, How about $40 for everything. I had $75 of stuff at least. Now this is why I wake up on a Saturday morning! I threw $1 in the tip jar as I chucked everything back in my bin and strolled out to the car. I’m not sure about much, but I know this library earned their tip.
What did you find this week?
-
09/18/2023 at 10:04 am #101090
@Craig fun play by play. Scavenging is so interesting for the people you meet working sales and attending. I was thinking of you all as we have a huge annual book sale here. I just couldn’t get into it for resale but bought a few things for Christmas presents. I also have a huge backlog. There was one tiki art book I have wanted for years. The resellers got both copies on pre-sale night. To me, paying up to $20 to get in early is always worthwhile.
My scavenge of the week update? was a lot of 11 Hoka brand manufacturer sample tops. I paid $40 for the lot at the end of my daughter’s high school football rummage sale. I sold one extra small tank immediately for $20, so great. I don’t normally do clothes, so happy above that. https://www.ebay.com/itm/335029303137
Runner up is this kids’ quilt I got from a house clean out lady at the flea market for $5. https://www.ebay.com/itm/335029373208 I’m warming up to my local flea market. I found some Van Briggle pottery last week.
-
09/21/2023 at 1:59 am #101142
When I am at these sales, I often feel like I can’t get into it for resale. Especially at the early morning ones that are amateur hour. Or ones overrun with Amazon scanner dorks. But I’ve gotten much, much better at identifying potential value even at the terrible sales. And these sales are (mostly) cheap enough that it’s true scavenging.
I have to get a new pair of sneakers lately, and I’ve been considering Hokas. Looks like you’ll do quite well with your lot.
I had a bedspread growing up which was very similar to your Pottery Barn quilt! Maybe not the exact one, but something close to it. If only it lasted 25 years, I could be rolling in a (small) pile of twenties right now! Bet that is a bear to ship…
-
09/22/2023 at 11:44 am #101151
I wear Hokas all the time. They are really comfortable. Deckers Brand is here in our town. Very popular here.
Actually easy to ship compared to a lot of my stuff. Not breakable.
-
-
-
09/18/2023 at 11:06 am #101092
Soooo much stuff acquired this weekend. 150 items from the premium hoarder collection. I’ll start going through that this week.
Yard sales were very nice this weekend as well. Here are the highlights:
Some super unique stuff – the first of which was a collection of vintage mid century medical equipment I bought from a retired doctor. There’s probably over 100 individual surgical instruments of various size/complexity. Plenty of other cool stuff as well. It may be a while before I can start listing this stuff.
The other unique item was a collection of 35mm film trailers from a movie theater. I paid $10 for the bag. Here’s two of them:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266416056539
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266416051785
They are likely long tail items. I turned down a $30 on the Ratatouille one already.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266416475017
Panasonic Toughbook LIND 12V Cig Charger CF-LNDDC120 CF-33 CF-31 CF-54 FZ-55
Paid $1. Prices are kind of all over the place on this item. I went ahead and shot for the higher end.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266416170064
Sony Handycam HDR-CX330 High Definition Camcorder TESTED WORKS Lots Of Extras
Paid $20 at a sale where I bought a bunch of stuff. They didn’t have a price and asked for an offer. I offered $10. The guy struggled with price as that $400 original price they paid was giving him heartburn. He came back with $20 and that sounded fine to me. Especially I was buying so many other amazing items from him for cheap. This was the same sale as the film trailers.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266415261674
HALO Mega Construx Covenant Brute Lance DPJ89 130 Pieces Sealed New
Marked at $5 at the sale. Eh, that seemed like a bit too much to buy blind so I made sure to look it up. No active listings – strange. 2 90 day solds for $80-$100. Whoah!!! I paid full asking price. I’m already getting offers in the $80 range that I’ve countered.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266415258104
Bose Solo 5 TV Sound System Sound bar 418775 with Remote & Power Adapter
Paid $10 at a yard sale.
-
09/21/2023 at 2:13 am #101143
Some super unique stuff – the first of which was a collection of vintage mid century medical equipment I bought from a retired doctor. There’s probably over 100 individual surgical instruments of various size/complexity. Plenty of other cool stuff as well. It may be a while before I can start listing this stuff.
Your last line is probably the understatement of the year. You’ve got a premium hoarder haul to finish up! so I look forward to reading about sales from this weird collection sometime next year. But you have an amazing ability to list a ton of stuff in a short period of time, so I won’t be too shocked if you get these listed sooner than you (and I) think.
The other unique item was a collection of 35mm film trailers from a movie theater. I paid $10 for the bag. Here’s two of them:
There are two other active listings for Ratatouille 35mm film trailers and they both have the stock photo as their first picture. Total amateur hour. I bet yours will sell faster than theirs and for a higher price too.
Sony Handycam HDR-CX330 High Definition Camcorder TESTED WORKS Lots Of Extras
Paid $20 at a sale where I bought a bunch of stuff. They didn’t have a price and asked for an offer. I offered $10. The guy struggled with price as that $400 original price they paid was giving him heartburn. He came back with $20 and that sounded fine to me.
Those people, always going on about what they paid for something, as if most things we own are forever worth their original purchase price. My second favorite grumble is how much something is listed for online.
-
09/21/2023 at 8:59 am #101145
Your last line is probably the understatement of the year. You’ve got a premium hoarder haul to finish up!
As Deion Sanders said in his 90’s Pizza hut commercial, why not do both!
I did photographs of 9 random medical things this morning before I left for work and they are live so you can see a sampling of them.
I try to keep an assortment of things to list during my breaks/lunches at work that are easy to list. I only do clothes at lunch since it takes more time to do the measurements. Clothing is much better to list in batches so my mind can lock in and increase my efficiency. I use the custom description templates to speed up my listing so all I have to do is type in the actual measurement numbers. I do not like to put measurements in photos like other clothing sellers do.
Anyways, I like to keep the easy to list smaller stuff that doesn’t require testing, measurements, etc handy for quick listing such as on break or even if I’m parked in my van waiting on something. Pretty much any minute during my work day that I’m idle I want to be productive on ebay. I maintain a bin of items to draft and another bin for completed drafted items in my van at all times. Every day before I leave for work I refill the unlisted items bin and move the drafted items bin into my office for photographs and replace it with an empty bin.
Keeping this system running is what has fueled my listing improvements since the beginning of summer. Having an office environment where noone bats an eye if I’m messing with clothing or shoes on my breaks in my cubicle is also critical. As we speak I have two battery powered electronics items test charging on my desk and a half bin of hoarder clothing underneath my desk waiting on break/lunch. I also keep two pieces of white poster board tucked behind my desk so I can set up a photo booth on my desk if I want to do photos of smaller items.
-
09/21/2023 at 1:02 pm #101148
Ah well I found my first home run in the medical stuff just now.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266421183504
There are sold comps in new condition for my asking price. Prices ranged from $50 to $150 and I have the only one of this model (for better or worse).
I listed this while sitting in my van at lunch and then took the photos on a used sheet of paper I flipped over to the back right on my cubicle desk with the under cabinet fluorescent desk light.
-
-
-
-
09/20/2023 at 11:02 am #101124
My favorite scavange this week is a complete pre-war American Flyer train set with boxes and in excellent condition. Paid $42.50 and hope to get $300+. I really didn’t expect to win this one as these old train sets usually go for a lot to the local collectors. Guess this auction was overlooked.
-
09/21/2023 at 2:22 am #101144
I won a bunch of train stuff for pennies recently as well. A few weeks ago, when I was sick with COVID and had nothing better to do than buy even more inventory. Fortunately I have more self-discipline now than I did in March 2020 and reined myself in. I still came away with a small lot of Life-Like brand trains ($25) and a box of random parts and bluekits ($5). Completely forgot to write about this in scavenge of the week because of brain fog. Possibly all going to sit in my death piles forever. But I hope I’ll get inspired by your find.
-
-
09/25/2023 at 6:39 am #101157
Plate for Emperor Napoleon III by Sevres, 1859. The dark bits are rat turds. Bought with a wool winder and a tenon saw for £8.
-
09/25/2023 at 11:55 am #101162
Way to pretty for a rat bathroom. Good rescue!
-
09/29/2023 at 5:56 am #101206
Too not to. Geez typo
-
-
09/25/2023 at 3:43 pm #101170
Thanks! I put the plate on the dining table to take a photo- wondered where the smell of pee was coming from! Ugh!
-
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.