Thrifting Pt. 3

I went to get my taxes done today…I didn’t come out to bad. I made a bit more on ebay this past year then in 07. Another day another dollar. But its close to a thrift shop so I stopped in after to check it out! The prices seemed to be a bit better at this one. However still not what I would consider “thrift” Although it also could have been the fact they did not have one single item I wanted.  No telling what the price would have been on a “nice” item!

Western Electric phone 39.99. Check ebay item 330318884455...one just like it...9.99 closed no bids.

a bad picture of a junk piece of glass 4.99

7.99...and very broken...

early american pressed cut (hocking 60-80's) banana splits 3.99 ea. I doubt I could get 3.99 for the set on line!

The biggest piece of junk today! 11.99 Indiana teardrop compote. Its losing its coloring!

14.99 Murano glass bowl...about 5 years ago it would have been worth this. But Murago has hit the dumpster. 7.00 flea item IMO

this was kinda nice. It has some medium grade condition issues on top...but still so-so overall. Although it was priced at $299. So I passed...

another day…

I started out at an estate sale first thing. It wasn’t my type of sale. It was all high fashion type junk. Stuff I knew nothing about…they didn’t have high prices…but still I don’t know what that junk is! All I got there was a coin purse thing (My $1 gamble) and a dusty skateboard. After that I went over to a neighborhood sale and that is where I found almost all my items! I got there around 7 and between 7 and 8 it was almost a frenzy for me. Good things for cheap! Not many other buyers is was great. Then right at 8am (I looked at my watch and thought wow what a day so far!) someone flipped a switch. I didn’t find a single item for the rest of the day…still I had enough stuff to call it a good day!

Weather is nice as could be…70’s sunny…breezy…

I sold at the flea today…did about 1k to go with the 1,100 I did on ebay yesterday to make for a very nice week!

Here is the loot!

Picture #1

2 Vintage 60’s lamps $10 They are powder blue in color…although the picture flash washed out the colors. Not Fenton…but still nice and they were cheap enough!

picture #2

Blue coin dot vase 50cents Nice piece of Fenton…great price (see the sticker it really was 50cents!)
Westmoreland lattice edge banana $5 its a nice piece of Westmoreland I should be able to get 40 out of it at the flea
fiesta carafe pitcher 50cents flea it
white bauer vase $1 flea it
Fenton silvercrest basket $2 flea item…nice piece…I wish they sold as good as they look…
2 Fenton white opalescent pieces $1 flea em
Westmoreland hand painted beaded grape ash trays 25 cents ea more flea stuff

picture #3

Vintage Lotus skateboard $1 Got this at the estate sale…I dug it out of the garage…
Find of the day? A kenwood touchscreen navigation system to a SMART car $20 Yardsale item the seller was about 1million years old. Very nice gentleman who said it came in his car and all he could get it to do is beep at him (even after he said his grandson showed him). So he took it to the dealer and had them install a “old fashion” radio…this had got to sell for good money…right?
The coin purse $1 Even I know the vuitton logo…don’t know if its real…they had lots of fancy looking items to me. The seller who looked about 12 (but was probably closer to 18) said it was all his great grandmothers and had no respect for it…anyone know?

picture #4

Pyrex 50cents each ($4 total) They had a few more pieces but nothing that made a set…a few of the lids were chipped so I mixed and matched lids until I had 2 sets in great shape!

3.28.09

Today started out as a very slow morning. I decided to hit a neighborhood sale first thing. Historically I’ve done very good there (the last 3 or 4 years). So I had no reason to think today would be different. However it was…I really didn’t find much of anything. There were a lot of houses out (50+) and I got there early while people set up and made a few passes at it. But by 9am when I left for other areas I didn’t have much to show for my effort.

So I left that area resigned to having a bad day and started to hit other sales. I only found one more item. But that one item is probably my find of the year so far. I ended up calling it a day around 11:30am. Part because I was excited to look up that one item and part because I just couldn’t find a reason…I hadn’t found anything for about 2 hours and just felt like it was a waste of gas…

The weather was very nice…50 in the morning but it warmed up quick and ended up being right around 80. Sunny…another good day to be in Socal!

I’m not sure what my iPhone did to the sale pictures today. I can’t blame it for deleting them…the sales really did suck (save for one). I feel like forgetting about most of them also!

Picture #1

Vintage 50’s tray $1 It comes in I think the original box…but still flea junk
set of forest green bubble boopie 25cents each flea junk
green depression glass coaster 10cents flea junk
cocktail shaker $1 more flea junk
Harley Davidson thing $2 I think its a derby cover??? But correct me if i’m wrong. I figured for the price I could turn a profit…

picture #2

Vintage birdcage with stand $10 The cage is nothing to write home about (however it does have the glass feeders). The stand is what I really like in this set. It should sell good for me at the flea!

Picture #3 and #4 (I think it deserves 2 pictures)

This was my one good late find. I went up to a sale around 9:30 and he was just setting out. I didn’t see much of anything until he took a small box out opened it…closed it and set it down. I opened it to look at the watch inside…turned it over saw the 14k marks. Asked the price and he replied $5 I stuck it in my pocket paid the $5. I waited around a few more minutes until he emptied the other 2 boxes he had left. So I am now the proud owner of a 14k gold Omega mens bracelet watch. With its original box. Its a nice heavy one. They seem to be doing quite well online.

So no Fenton today…but I still struck gold nonetheless…

Hope everyone else had a good weekend out there also!

3.21.09 finds

Same old same old again.  Only difference is I went out of town saturday night and didn’t get a chance to post until now…

2 funny face mugs $2 I learned about these on the board a few years back and now pick them up whenever I see them. They never seem to break the bank but its a solid seller and an easy $10ea profit.
2 yellow dot Pyrex bowls $1ea flea market junk
a nice Nikon FE2 camera with zoom $10 I had an fe2 I sold about a year ago and I did very well with it. So with the zoom this should be a winner!
A Fenton COMPOTE hobnail milk glass $1 flea it
a red carnival glass Fenton figurine $1
A wool stripe blanket $2 I don’t remember if its 3 or 4 stripe but its in nice shape and they always sell good.

2 pieces of sterling jewelry and a charm bracelet $1 I wanted the Mexico sterling bracelet and ring. They were 25 cents each I was to lazy to go back to the car for change so I also got a metal charm bracelet with hearts on it.
Candlewick bowl I can’t remember what I paid…but I doubt it was more then $ 2

vintage hand painted teapot $1  flea it

blue crystal decanter set $2  I remember the price beacuse it was so low…always sells at the flea

And don’t ask me why the spacing is so weird…wordpress must have made more “upgrades”

Thrift Pt2

Westmoreland...49.98. there are a few on ebay with BIN's ranging from 10-14.

EAPG pitcher w/ cracked foot 39.98! What a deal!

I finally got a set of this junk sold at the flea after about 7 months for $2ea.

Junk Pottery bowl 12.98. Worthless Milk Glass nut bowl 3.98.

This fine 70's Chair 69.96. I know you need it...

I thought maybe I was being harsh on thrift shops in my last post. Maybe they were not all bad? So yesterday when I was driving by another thrift I decided to stop in. I think the prices were even higher.

I used to believe the whole idea of a thrift shop was to help those in need. But then at one time I also believed in dragons and my life’s goal was to be the lone ranger…

thrift????

highboy in poor condition

I thought this was a thrift store?!

its transfer! And the base is broken!

8?! The color is fading! Plus its junk...

I counted 9 chips myself...I might have missed one or two. But its only 6.50!

you HAVE got to be kidding me. I wouldn't buy it for 25cents!

I kinda liked this...but no where near 18.50 worth!

9.50. More junk I wouldnt buy for 25cents...

way to much...but at least its not broken!

the rich people were having a sale. But like normal they overpaid and figured everyone else would also...

junk in boxes

more junk in boxes

nothing here

finds 1

finds 2

3

Same old same old today. Up early. Found some Fenton. Weather was great.

picture #1

fire-king bowls $2 peach blossom…nice set…easy sale at the flea…
Glasbake Lipton set $5 More then I wanted to pay but I’ll still make solid money.
2 Pyrex bowls w/lids $2 flea
WG English hobnail milk glass box $1 Nice little box…
lefton Santa plate 50cents flea
rolling pin $1 more flea stuff (note I don’t consider this junk)
diamond point pieces $1 flea junk
Fenton? hobnail dripping? Jar $1 I’m not sure on this…I will have to dig out my old milk glass catalogs/copys. I think its Fenton…not sure of its use however…

Picture #2

Green depression glass jar no lid $2 I like green dep. glass!
Ca pottery piece $1 Nice matte finish and feel to it…I really like this little piece!
Fenton old carnival glass fine rib vase in blue $1 Very dirty but for $1 I don’t mind cleaning it.
Shawnee cookie Jar $5 Nice one! Very happy to score this one!
4 sterling shakers $2 for all its all the weighted junk but still…you can’t beat $1 per pair…
Deck and boat book USN 1914 50cents interesting piece…
Fenton Cranberry hurricane lamp $5 Nice lamp!!

Picture #3

Orange TALL vase $2 nice vintage piece…now if it only sells…
blue and gold vase $3 its newer but dirt cheap and nice someone will buy it at the flea…
Fenton hand painted and signed lamp $20 They had 25 on it…nice lamp okay price. My find of the day!

Flood!

junk?

no comment

more junk?

finds 1

finds 2

I know I know I’ve been slacking lately. My finds haven’t been appearing until Monday most weeks. But better late then never?? I had full intentions of posting Sunday…but well late Saturday I call a call asking if I wanted to go fishing. Of course I did! And if anyone is wondering its not quite bass fishing season yet…but still a fun outing!

Saturday just didn’t work out for me. I got up to make coffee and was wondering what that noise was…turns out the how water sprung a leak and was spraying all over the garage. So I shut that off and drained it (there went my shower). But I still wasn’t to be detoured so I headed out for a few garage sales. The first estate sale yielded some Fenton. Then I hit a few garage sales and picked up some tools and a nice bowl. But I called it a day very early and got home to take care of the water heater. And it proved much harder then it should have but after 3 trips to home depot I had it replaced. Then I dried and oiled all my tools and car parts ect. that had water on them. Not exactly what I had planned for the day. But it could have been much worse…and still I got some nice Fenton!

I only got about 3 pictures of sales on my blog…but then again I only hit about 10 sales so…

Picture #1

Fenton Candy $1 Newer piece with the logo on the bottom…but that seems to sell better for me then the old stuff. People are weird.
Fenton peach crest bowl $2 Very very dirty…but will make for a good sale!
Fenton bon bon I don’t remember the price flea junk
Vintage shakers again I don’t remember the price…more flea junk
Antique Limoges Centerpiece bowl $20 Found this at a garage sale that asked 25 I offered 20 and it was a deal. Nice bowl…I would have paid more for it. This will be a good seller…and its a true antique I think! I need to look up the company…but I got a good feeling on it!  I don’t think there is any way I get less then 150-200 for it.

picture #2

Tools $10 for them all. Nice machinist box…2 nice sets of wrenches and the prices were right…the Allen’s were in the box. I’ll probably sell the box and the wrenches…

And that’s it…hope everyone had a nice weekend and has a good week!

start your engines

1,600?! Are you kidding?!

to bad the deer had holes in them...

typical Ca yardsale that I normally drive right by without getting out. About 70% of the sales I see look like this.

nothing here

junk on a table

darts anyone?

nothing to see here

finds 1

finds 2

finds 3

finds 4

finds 5

finds 6

Another fun filled week of yardsales with Oldkeet. I was up and out of the house before sun up on Saturday. Its getting light early…I like that! Although I only have 1 more week of it with the time change looming. I went to an estate sale first off and was able to pick up a few pieces of glass for $1 or 2 each. Then after that it was around to garage sales for the rest of the day. I picked up a lot of little flea market items today. And was scratching together a so-so day until about 11am. When I pulled up to another garage sale and made a big (I think/hope it will be at least) score. Couldn’t believe it was all sitting there at 11am (where was everyone??). So I walked off with a box full of goodies for $10 then hit a few more sales until 12ish and called it a day. I had an event to be at Saturday afternoon then after that I packed up my truck for the flea on Sunday.

I forgot to take a picture at the flea on Sunday. It was an odd day…I almost sold nothing until about 9am (I think I sold $55 between 6 and 9). I was really starting to get worried. Normally I’m really busy in the morning. But then the rush hit and it was all my and my helper could do to keep up with it for about 3 hours. I was just jamming money in my pocket and trying to keep up with everyone asking questions and wrapping. It slowed down around 12 so I had my lunch and caught my breath. Then it died off around 1pm so I started to pack up and was out of there a few minutes after 2. All told I was able to clear a little over 1,100 after space/help. I’ve really been surprised the last three months with my flea market success…last spring/early summer I had some pretty brutal days. But it seems to be better so far this year!

I did take some pictures at the sales I hit Saturday. Including one of the most overprices items I’ve ever seen. It was a family run estate sale and they thought those items were GOLD. I see a lot of those electronic organs out there. Some fast talking salesman must have come around in the 50’s and made a fortune. Sometimes they are priced high…sometimes as low as free. But never do I see them going away. But the price I saw this weekend just took the cake! Check it out on my blog!

Here is a run down on my finds…

Picture #1

Vintage school desk $10 It looked cool and was cheap enough. Although I had it at the flea yesterday and not a single person even asked about. When will I learn about furniture???…
Vintage painted crib $5 Already sold for $25! No one asked until around 12:30 a little girl and her Mom walked up in front of my booth. The little girl broke free and made a run straight for the crib…put her doll in it and started rocking her. My helper looked and me and said “you got that sold.” And the little girl (6 or so) even carried it off. She wouldn’t let anyone take it including her Mom!

Picture #2 and Picture #3

This is all my $10 box. A bunch of hot rod magazines from 48,49, and 50. Old (1947) racing programs for the Huntington beach speedway (did anyone even know Huntington beach had a speedway?). A program for the El mirage time trial and the first annual LA 500 from the coliseum. Some old football programs (high school) and 1955 truck manuals. A huge stack of mid 50’s outboard parts manuals and catalogs. All kinds of great stuff. I walked up and saw the hotrods on top…the seller said he wanted 50 cents each. And I replied okay lets add it up. And he just came back with give me 10 for the box…I couldn’t pay fast enough!

picture #4

3 Don Featherstone blow molds $5 I don’t want to ship them but I wanted to see if the flea had interest…

picture #5

Kanawha blue bowl $1 still has the original sticker
Rainbow crackle glass cruet $1 part of the sticker still left…
Ruby red Fostoria coin candy $2 Nice piece! Should be an easy 40-50!
imperial candlewick creamer and sugar $2 flea it
vintage brass hand scale $1 Flea junk

Picture #6

Set of pink etched stems $1 I doubt their depression. I think its more of a late 40’s creation. But the price was right and I’ll make 20 or so off em…

That’s it! I think I had a pretty good weekend. Tiresome…but well worth the effort!

At least there is Fenton

Yardsale Anyone??

Junk on a shelf!

junk on a table!

finds #1

Hello Fenton my old friend

I’ve been really busy this weekend and tonight I’m really tired. So if my post is more incoherent then normal I apologize. I went to an estate sale first thing yesterday. I only found one item there but it was a nice piece/set of Fenton so I couldn’t complain one bit. Then it was around to garage sales for the rest of the morning. I saw a good number of sales. But I really didn’t find to many items. Although I did find a few nice items so it was quality over quantity for me.

The weather was nice. It got up to about 76 in the afternoon and was really nice out. I guess that was a bit of the problem as most of the sales were the fair weather sellers who had out blankets and blankets of baby crap. I only took 3 pictures of the sales I was up at. Nothing to exciting…

Picture #1

2 Anchor Hocking Jadeite Vases $2 Nice pair should make for a fast easy flea market sale!
ceramic dog $1 I’m not sure why I got this…I doubt its very vintage…but I think I can get something for it at the flea?
capodimonte carriage $2 Nice marked piece…it should sell at the flea…not for a whole lot…new it was probably 300. I’ll be happy with 35…
Fostoria American Cracker Jar $3 Nice one! Ebay item all the way….should get me something around 150-175…tough piece of Fostoria to come up with!

Picture #2

Fenton Blue Opalescent Mayo set $10 I asked the price thay said 15…I offered 10 and it was a deal. Nice set of Fenton…happy to find this one.
Vintage Dolmetsch Recorder $5 It looks like Ivory and rosewood (I’m 95% sure its Ivory…I don’t think they used bone on musical items did they?)…This has got to be a good one…I just have the feeling. The seller said his dad used to be in an orchestra…

And that’s it for the day. Like I said slow numbers wise…but I’ll make some money on the items I did get!

wow that sucked

This had to be one of the slowest days ever! I couldn’t buy a sale. I almost came home and pulled stuff out of my garage just so it felt like I found a sale. I saw a whopping total of 5 sales today (and one was a repeat from last weekend with the junky Kmart fishing gear). Its not like I didn’t give it a good try. I was out from before daybreak until 10:15 when I threw in the towel. And I quit because I ran out of places to go…it was just to late to hope on the freeway and take a drive. I went to an estate sale first thing and found some books and that at a garage sale around 9 I got the train and the knife.

Its not like it was raining today. It was nice and sunny. Although it was very cold (36 when I got up)…yes that’s very cold for here! They had predicted rain today earlier in the week but revised that around Wednesday. I’m not sure if it was the area I was in…the forecast earlier in the week…the holiday on Monday…or Valentine’s Day. Probably a combo. But it was like a ghost town out there. It reminds me of the time I tried to find yardsales on christmas eve…

I guess this is what people in other states feel like during the winter? Cold and no sales…how do people live like that?!

here is what I did get today…

picture #1

Nscale train set $2 Its a rapido?…at least the engine is not sure about the cars…I seem to do will with the little n stuff when I find it cheap so I got it…that and I was desperate.

scout knife 50cents flea junk

Set of Arabian nights 75 cents The estate I hit first thing had all books for 75 cents each. These looked interesting. And if I’m reading the Roman numerals correct its from 1859 (LIX is 59 correct?).

No Fenton valentine no nothing else. Pretty sad day…