finds for umm…today…what’s the date?

I always take a picture...but never buy any.

bad pic...sorry but someone else was shopping and I couldnt stop for a good one...turns out it was junk glass.

I got the wagon wheel here...well had it for about 4 hours at any rate.

This was SO not the "best garage sale you've ever been to" In fact it was close to the opposite...we need truth in yardsale ads!

Took this on my way home at a pro estate sale. Anyone need a $17 craftsman 1-1/4 wrench?

Not sure why I took this picture...but its good filler I guess...

finds #1

finds #2

finds #3

I went out first thing to an estate sale for pretty much nothing. And then it was around to garage sales for the rest of the morning. Very slow on the yardsale front. Not to many sales…and very few good ones. I did hit one nice one with some sterling silver…they seemed to know what it was and that it was sterling…but just didn’t care and wanted it gone (an overstocked fed up collector maybe?). My kind of people! But otherwise the picked were slim…

I didn’t take to many pictures today. I just didn’t see a whole lot that was picture worthy…It was warm out(about 90)…so you think there would have been more sales. Most of the sales I did see were for kids trying to get money for a DC trip. Sales that equal junk to me (it all my years I’ve never found anything good at one of those sales yet)…but they about half put something about DC on their sign so I know to skip them without turning. The rest I end up just driving by and making a quick Uturn.

Here is the run down…

Picture #1

Fenton Amber compote $1 It was Fenton…and that’s about its only redeeming feature IMO…
Nice Tiffin Coronet bowl $2 Not a bad bowl.
Art Pottery vase $3 It looks old to me. Marked Adderley…I know nothing about pottery so who knows…at least its marked.
Royal Doulton figurine $5 It should make for a good flea market item…why do people love Doulton so much?
2 Northwood Strawberry pattern berry bowls $15 for the pair I like old carnival glass…its my friend!

Picture #2

Sterling silver and antler set $15 Its marked JH…not sure who that is. But I’ve had a few antler pieces over the years and they always sell good so lets hope this is no exception.
Sterling silver bowl by Alvin $10 Its about 8 ounces…and for 10 I can’t say no…
8 sterling silver little nut? Bowls $10 All marked with an “R” not sure who that is (I’ll check later)…but again…for 10 how can I refuse?
Cool Little telescope thing $1 Flea market junk…or a fun way to scout out garage sales from the car!
Champale sign $2 Cool sign…not sure if I keep or sell…

Picture #3

Very cool Mexico Highway sign $5 It will be for sale when I die…
Beco blow mold $1 Flea market junk

Insert picture of Antique Wagon Wheel Here $20 Very nice old one. I stopped by my brothers on the way home and he liberated it from my truck. He called it a bathroom fee…knew I should have stopped at In-n-Out…it would have been much cheaper…and I could have had lunch

But that’s it…kinda a slow day. But I got some solid nice selling items in there. You have to like that…

My thoughts on professional estate sale companies…

Over the years I’ve had plenty of run ins with professional estate sale companies. They sure can talk a great game. They will fill your head full of tales about unscrupulous dealers. How we as dealers steal everything we can get our hands on. Talk you down in price. Show up early and bully our way into a sale so we can get all the good stuff. Then after your good and afraid they go on about how only they can get you fair market value for your items because they know how to price it. And how you need a good honest person on your side so your not taken advantage of. After all they are doing this to help people deal with the estate of their loved one…all with the utmost respect. So just sign on the dotted line and they will come in and handle everything. Sit back and breath a sigh of relief because the company has everything handled.

It sounds a lot like a political campaign…however I know better then to discuss religion and politics…but not estate sales I guess.

Now there may be a few good estate sale companies out there. Just because I haven’t found one doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Just like flying reindeer…I can’t 100% rule out there existence…there are a lot of strange things in this world still yet to be classified!

Most of the estate sale companies I’ve run across like to have preview days for their friends…but that’s okay right? I mean they would never intentionally price a few items to low and then receive a kickback from said friend. Right?

Is it okay if they sell a few of their own items at your sale? Sure of course…right? Just make sure their items don’t take up all the space and yours end up in the back corner. But they would never do that. And it makes you wonder where “their” items came from…the last sale perhaps???

Now how about when the sale is over? What happens with the leftover items? You know the economy is bad so the buyers just aren’t spending. Don’t worry the company will buy it (for much cheaper then the price marked)…because after all they just want to help you out! But only on some items…because the rest they just don’t deal in. So at your expense you better call out a dumpster. Their work is done!

And the theft they were supposed to help stop. You’d be surprised by how often a few high end items go missing at those professional sales. And all the family hears is a whoops…were sorry…but its those horrible dealers! They steal everything! Were the honest person just here to help.

So sign me up how much will this cost?? Well it all depends on the sale…and how many “high end” items you have (you know the exact kinda that go missing…odd huh?). Some charge a commission by the day…or a minimum fee. Whichever is higher. Those minimum fees can be around 1,000. But “expert” advice isn’t free!

This is assuming the company even deals with the family. I’ve seen more then a few estate sales (one 6 doors down from my house)…that the items magically appeared at. I know the family emptied the house…but somehow a company still had an estate sale there…and then try and tell me their just a friend of the family. But that’s more of a problem with the Realtor I guess…

But the company has such a good reputation…just talk to the customers. Their friends…err…wait…the ones who got in early? Or the ones giving them a kickback? Or the ones they called and told what was at the sale and what to buy?? Yes, them…Don’t talk to the families…who had a pile of junk left in the house. Or who ended up owing the company money after the sale…because the house didn’t contain enough to cover their fee (yes it can happen…shocking huh). All the ones I’ve talked to who said they would never hire one of those people again for their life!  Or the ones who had to sue because of what went missing…but of course you signed that pesky contract.

Now doesn’t a family run sale sound a bit better to you? Especially if you spend some time…research your items and price things according to what you see. Sure you might misprice a few items and someone might get a good deal (say it isnt so!). But I bet its going to be less expensive then the fees the company would charge. And you might make more money because you won’t have to sell those high end items for pennies on the dollar after the sale…they will sell at the sale!

Now don’t think I have a high opinion of dealers either. I don’t they are as bad in their own right…but at least I don’t try and tell anyone I’m only buying items to help them out. I’ve personally held a few estate sales. And at every one of them the first people up to the door days before were people from the estate sale companies (often before the ad comes out in the paper…payoff?). So I’ve heard the speeches first hand and the fear they try to sell you…as they push their way into the door (I wonder how many senior citizens that would work on…most?). And tell you how they are the only ones who can handle the sale! And every time I’ve sent them on their way…but its always after they ask to at least “look” around the sale. Wonder why they would want to do that? Then the dealers come up…sure some are pushy, rude, and looking for a deal…but they don’t try and scare you into letting them in.

Another idea for the family would be to find a good auction company…but that’s a whole other post…

not bad at all

inside the estate sale

still inside...and why let your dog roam free at a sale?

I don't see anything...you?

up for a game?

or is a book more your style?

bunch of nothing

no comment

nothing to see here move along

see anything you need?

planning a trip...good deal on a suitcase!

finds #1

finds #2

finds #3

finds #4

finds #5

Sorry for my late post today.  I got a new TV and I had to deliver my old one and setup/install it with a satellite dish and all.  So I was pretty busy this afternoon.

I started out today at the wrong sale. The ad sounded right…the house looked good when I got there. I was all primed for a good sale. But when they started to put things out about 6:30 for the 7am “estate” sale it went all wrong. The “estate” consisted of kinda clothes and baby junk. So I was out of there quick and was planning to go to an 8am sale that was about 20 minutes away. There was also a 9am sale close to the 7am sale…but it sounded pro…”no early entry” and just professional keywords. But it was only a few miles away so I’d only lose 10 minutes going by. To at least check it out. So I got there about 6:40 (well over 2 hours before the open time posted in the paper). There was a sign reading estate sale inside on the mail box and the front door was open. So I slowly walked up ready to be shot at, yelled at, or chased off. But they told me to come on in! And let me tell you that was anything but pro. I found a ton of goodies! I’m not sure what I paid for each item…some were marked other they just got tired and gave up pricing. So when I checked out my total came to $60. I spent about 30 minutes there…trying to leave no stone unturned. And for about 15 minutes of that I was alone! I took 2 pics inside the house (blog only). I would have done more but I was to busy grabbing! I didn’t go to the 8am sale it was almost 7:30 when I had everything in my truck and secure from that sale…and it was about 20 minutes away. So I decided it would be best to hit garage sales…wrong…

I went around to garage sales for nothing…and lots of nothing. I went from 7:10 until a bit after 10am without buying a single item. I didn’t even see anything worth asking for a price check! Then a bit after 10 right about when I was fed up and about to throw in the towel I found a few more items…so that kept me going until about 11:30…

I didn’t take as many sale pictures today…there was nothing to take a picture of! It was really bad for a while there. Because not all the items were marked at the good estate sale I won’t be able to tell you the price. So some items will just have “ES” where a price should be.

Picture #1

Creel $5 Not a bad find. I might take it to the flea or keep it…not sure…
3 old little cars $1 old matchbox ones….I figured I’d throw them in the hotwheels I got (see picture #4)
Vintage Kennedy’s biscuits wood box $5 Cool old advertising box. It should make for a really fast flea market sale!

Picture #2

A bunch of jewelry all from the estate sale. I know the Hamilton pocket watch was $10. I think the necklaces were $2ea (all are sterling…the one pendant is marked Navajo). And the native American rings were $1ea. I think the others were 4 for $1…

Picture #3

3 pieces of Fenton $2ea all from the estate sale. A 3 toed bowl, a bell, and a candy. All hobnail…
Iris and herringbone bowl $2 (ES) People seem to like this pattern at the flea…
an interesting Limoge cup and saucer ES interesting pattern…might be a good seller?
Niloak art pottery milk pitcher $1 (ES) Good flea item…
green depression glass (hocking circle?) $5 from the estate sale…flea market item

Picture #4

Vintage hotwheel case full of redlines ES I remember how my last lot did…I can only hope for even half that this time!
Vintage Camera ES Flea market item
Vintage Transistor radio $3 Also from the estate sale…
Vintage woodpecker toothpick ES Flea market junk

Picture #5

Accordion ES (yes it was part of the $60 estate sale loot!) I should probably find a box so I can list it…no one every wants to pay real money at the flea for this stuff…
Flight suit coveralls $1 newer…but might sell at the flea?

Not pictured because I was to lazy to get it out of the garage  for a picture is a craftsman 5.5hp 30gal compressor I got for $50 at a sale.  My old one was on its last legs…so this was much needed and a great deal!

That sums up my day! I hope yours went as good or better!

One good Find and lots of junk!

look...reproduction madrid

200?!@

need some books

sure?

hook latch?

why even have a sale?

75?! for a student trumpet?

it looked good from the street

so did this one...

junk fishing stuff...

20? Is this a yard sale or an antique shop?

if you look close you'll see a guy in a green dress and ladies hat!

junk?

Today I was at an estate sale first thing. Waited in line until 7…I guess not everyone opens early. First person in the door…nothing…and lots of it. It looked like they had thrown everything away and bought new in 1987. They said they had an appraiser in and he said it was all junk and left after 10 minutes. But I opened the box of flatware I had passed when I first went in the door (like everyone else)…and even though the box was marked for the 1847 rogers…that’s not what it was holding! I guess the appraiser didn’t open it or didn’t look at the silver…because they asked 100 and I was more then happy to pay that.

Then it was around to garage sales for the rest of the morning. For almost nothing…a bunch of junk really…I was less then impressed with the rest of my “finds” But the silver more then made up for that and I came hope around 12noon with a big smile on my face! The weather was great today. Overcast and upper 60’s all morning. Perfect weather to be hitting garage sales IMO. Cool enough to have the windows down but not cold!

Most of the pictures I’m taking now are when I’m up at the sales. But at the same time its of sales that I really don’t see anything at. Because when I do see something I’m concentrating so hard on getting it…that I forget/don’t stop to take a picture!

Picture #1

Dodgers budweiser sign 50cents Not a bad sign for cheap. Its newer (late 90’s I guess)…but still kinda cool!
vintage color wheel $1 It was together when I found it but I was to lazy to put it back together for the picture
Vintage “Tropical Helmet” made in England $1 It looked interesting…and it was cheap…
mig alley book 25cents flea market junk
Vintage felt Christmas door hanging thing $1 It looked nice to me and will sell at the flea I’m sure…a lot of vintage Christmas suckers…err collectors out there!

Picture #2

2 Vintage Block and tackles $5 for the pair Flea market crap
Vintage 50’s? Hummel “little tooter” 25 cents I have no respect for hummel’s. I know they sell and people love them. But I just think they are junk…but for 25 cents I’ll find someone to pass it off on!
Horse hair pottery $1 Native American signed “vail sr” It looked cool to me!
IBM sentric III $2 I know they sell…but it looks like a big shipping pain to me. I was looking at it and they said make any offer. I said $2…they said okay…so I had to take it. But I should have said $1…

Picture #3

Vintage 40’s nudie cards 25cents I have them censored in the picture! But they should sell okay
Towle 56pc set of sterling silver $100 All in the Rambler Rose pattern. Some still sealed in factory plastic! This is going to make me some money!

And that’s it…without that silver it would have been a very bad day. But I’ll take one outstanding find and a bunch of junk like that anyday!

Flea Markets and Fishing!

I sold at an antique show on Sunday. It was as I was sitting there watching people walk up and down the isles and pick through the junk that I realized its almost exactly like fishing. Now laugh all you want but its true! Everyone knows one of the main keys to having a successful fishing trip is hitting the right lake during the right conditions! If the water is to hot you won’t do good…or cold the same thing…it has to be just right! But even if the temperatures are right you still need the correct lures and attractant or you’ll just cast your arm off all day for nothing. Also don’t forget to pick the right spot on the lake…you need to pick the sweet spot with hidden structure to catch the big ones!

Its all the same with a flea market. Make sure you choose a good market to sell at. You don’t want one that overfished or has a small amount of buyers! Make sure you have a good spot to sell/fish in. If your stuck in the back corner by the big trash cans you probably won’t sell much! If its going to be hot bring shade or in the afternoon you won’t sell a thing! If its cold cross your fingers and hope the buyers show up!

Then make sure your gear is ready. You don’t want to get to the lake and find out you forgot to put line on your reel…or it froze up because you didn’t oil it! Just the same you don’t want to get to the flea and find out you forgot tables…or your EZ-UP is broken! Now one of the hardest things to do is selecting the right baits for the right conditions. But its hard to know what your buyers are going to want on any given day! That’s why I recommend a brining a good cross section of items/lures. That way your always going to sell something. Granted you might not do as good with someone who brings all pottery for example. Because he’s going to have some monster days…but then again he’s going to have some days where he didn’t catch enough for dinner. Now your ready to go…set your alarm for super early. You need to be there and set up with the sun rise in both sports! The big ones come early and bite hard!

Next is presentation. If you reel to fast or to slow your lures won’t have the right action…equals no fish! Make sure you set up your booth right! If the tables are to close together people feel trapped and like fish they don’t want to be trapped. They will avoid walking into the “trap.” Same thing if its to sparse (no structure) they will skip the booth because it looks empty! But even if you have the tables and the tents right you need some attractant! This is where experience pays off. Both buyers and fish are attracted to shiny objects! Things like crackle glass and jewelry are good items to put up front in the sun so they sparkle and attract attention. Its also good to have items like postcards and other paper good that people stop and look through. If you get a small crowd of people looking it creates a feeding frenzy. Other people are attracted and come over to see what’s going on. More people = more sales…more fish=more catching! Then when you get a bit you need to fineness it (bargain down a dollar or 2) and reel it in (talk them into buying that $100 item they don’t really need!). You wrap it in newspaper and bag it! Then get ready for the next one! When it gets late you done you talk to the other dealers/fisherman and see how they did. Everyone will probably lie to you so don’t trust them. But read between the lines and take notes and your next trip will be that much more successful! Now pack up and go home…like fishing after 8 hours in the sun moving around you normally stink and need a shower!

At least there is Fenton…

Coke tray! Oh its a repro...booo...

see anything good? I don't

nothing here either

need a huge nagel...I don't...

it looked really good from the street...but not upclose.

junk on a tarp!

how much? "$1" I'll take it!

insert witty comment here

looks overpriced tools...20 for a taiwan breaker bar?! Really?

why did I even take this picture?

Up and out early like always. No estate sale to sit on this morning. Maybe it was the holiday last week. But not as many ads in the paper. But as a result I was able to leave a little bit later…around 6:15. Started hitting garage sales right off for a slow pick that lasted most of the morning. I gave up and called it quits around 11:30 today. It was really starting to get hot and I wasn’t seeing much…

Not a whole lot to speak of today. But I found some Fenton so that was nice. Kinda slow for me overall. But it could have been worse…plus I only went about 50mi total. It doesn’t look like I found any super sellers…but I got some nice solid easy to sell items!

Here is the breakdown

Pic #1

Crystal cake plate $1 It was only a dollar…I’ll flea market it…it should go away for 15…
Beer Mug 50cents These always go away at the flea…as long as its marked Germany…and it is
McCoy white cookie Jar $1 Not bad for a buck! McCoy always sells…
Fireking Peach Lustre casserole $1 Not a good seller…but it will get me $10 at the flea…
Indiana carnival glass candy $1.50 See above…only this will get me 15!

Pic #2

Vintage folding Asian thing $5 The name is on the tip of my tongue but for the life of me I can’t think of it!
Game $1 Not sure what to do with it…
Plomb Ratchet 10cents! Good prices! should get me 15 or so…another day another dollar.
Texas Instruments TI-55 calculator $5 It was in great shape in the box with all accessories…I thought it was a good one…until I looked it up on ebay…it sells…but only for about 20-25…booo.
a parker pen set $2 Stainless…not a bad pen set…not sure how it sells…but I knew the name and it was in the box!
A waterman fountain pen in box $2 From the same sales as the parker…not sure if its a good seller…but I’ve heard the name and took the $2 gamble!

Pic #3 Fenton!

Fenton Console set $5 Not a bad set…good price equals happy Oldkeet!
Fenton Blue vase $1 same sale as the console set. Its the Fenton from the old McKee molds
Fenton hobnail vase $1 flea market junk
Fenton Basketweave candlesticks $3 Its fenton…so…ummm…yeah.

Picture #4

1958 Lane TV Lamp $5  One of my favorite finds of the day.  I think I might keep him!