This week I had some down time at work and I hit some thrift stores. I found a set of kind of beat up sterling weighted candle holders, not very big. The price was $4.99 each and having had experience breaking down these sort of things for scrap, I couldn't justify paying $10 plus sales tax for them. I estimated there would probably be 10 grams or less of sterling in each piece. Just wondering if others have to stop themselves from acquiring silver and gold because the margin of profit is just too thin?
Unfortunately, YES! Sometimes it’s ridiculous what they are asking for certain pieces, just because it says sterling… I have seen plenty of items 5-10 X spot and they are damaged—dented, twisted, missing pieces, holes or just plain broken, etc… There are a couple GW's thrift stores that are horrible, they are filled with not-so-good-will and they get dollar store merch and charge $3-$5 for it! They get something ”old” and charge because it’s old or charge more because it’s a brand name, never mind it’s broken or just abused!
Some ”weighted” candle stick holders or candelabras are worth busting down, but must be the longer or 2-3 stick ones, otherwise I find that the standard weighted candle stick holder has .78 Troy oz or LESS once the weighted part—sand/concrete, etc is removed… Some are not worth the time to break down, so I just pile them up as is and sell the nicer pairs for way more than spot price at an estate/garage/yard sale. I had a pair that was exactly the silver content of a Morgan or Peace dollar, .7734 Troy oz, which amazed me at the time and still does…rather accurate!
It seems with the last few years, COVID bs and economy inflation bs that thrift stores are selling some better merch especially silver/gold items and collectible items on line and marking up extra high in some locations and you get only scraps or overlooked items at the brick and mortar. One not so good will employee told me that they are a “business now”…a franchise of GW and NOT GW itself… She also told me about silver and gold, GW online stores across country selling stuff online for more PROFIT… She didn’t say money, she said PROFIT. I complained at a second GW about dollar tree items being $3++, she too said they are a business and out to make as much as they can, but will negotiate on bigger ticket items. Ugh, needless to say, but I don’t go to GW much and visit the hospice thrift stores and the like…I refuse to support GW and its franchises. Ok, off the soap box now… As stated to the question asked, definitely YES,😵💫😬👍🏼
