Gwill spy

[Beans]

For a long time I could go to Gwill and pick up what I collect and sell on ebay. This one area of items I buy has not been touched so to speak. For the last Month I have noticed that these items have become harder to find. Today I found out why, the flee Market people have picked up on my hidden treasure area and are now beating me to the buy. This happened when I used to buy the old books, and now this. I think there may be a spy in the local Gwill. lol

 

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[clovis97]

I hear ya.

I used to be able to make some decent money on some books reselling them at a flea market, and they were fairly easy to find. I could buy them for about $1 each.

Seems that GW has been selling them on ebay...good for them, but bad for me.

The crazy thing is that they are heavy books, and GW is selling them on ebay for 4.75 with free shipping. I am guessing that it costs GW at least $3 to ship them, if not more.

My question is: Is it really worth it for GW to sell them at that price?

 

[Dig-m-Deep]

Since GWill started their own auction site I don't even bother looking any more

 

[Gator-Flea]

My Neighbor manages our local GW, She let me know in a discreet way that everthing is picked over before it hits the floor.

 

[jerseyben]

My Neighbor manages our local GW, She let me know in a discreet way that everthing is picked over before it hits the floor.

Discreet? Man, once at my local GW an employee came out from the back and when saw me looking through the LPs, he LITERALLY told me "dont waste your time, I already picked out all the Beatles, Stones, Hendrix, etc". He actually took me in the back to show me his stash!

 

[creeper71]

My Neighbor manages our local GW, She let me know in a discreet way that everthing is picked over before it hits the floor.

Discreet? Man, once at my local GW an employee came out from the back and when saw me looking through the LPs, he LITERALLY told me "dont waste your time, I already picked out all the Beatles, Stones, Hendrix, etc". He actually took me in the back to show me his stash!

I know for a fact as my mom used to work for Gwill back in late 90's into the early 2000's that a employee there can not root/stash items for themselves everything must be put on floor for sale for atleast 24hrs before an employee can buy it... I have tho bought items an just given to employees at a differnt gwill that I know they wanted or collected the item

 

[acevillav]

Yeah it's no longer the land of milk and honey that it once was. You just have to go often and sooner or later you will catch them slippin. I bought 2 fiesta ware bowls for $1.61 and a n old Tarzan book book for 50 cents last Saturday.

HH Ace Villa-v

 

[Beans]

Went back to Gwill today and decided to try the book section again. Slim pickens on anything good, but after a while I did find a book titled "What are you doing after the Orgy" by Henny and Jim Backus (Mr. Magoo and Gilligans Island). Book was inscribed and signed by both Authors.

 

[jerseyben]

Hey... Regardless of whether or not they cherrypick their stuff I still routinely stop in to see what I can find. After finding a $1 LP that I later sold for $250 shipped, I know there are deals to be had!

 

[brendan1414]

Went back to Gwill today and decided to try the book section again. Slim pickens on anything good, but after a while I did find a book titled "What are you doing after the Orgy" by Henny and Jim Backus (Mr. Magoo and Gilligans Island). Book was inscribed and signed by both Authors.

this? http://www.ebay.com/itm/you-doing-a...Collectible&hash=item27c2c51d26#ht_500wt_1287

 

[Beans]

Went back to Gwill today and decided to try the book section again. Slim pickens on anything good, but after a while I did find a book titled "What are you doing after the Orgy" by Henny and Jim Backus (Mr. Magoo and Gilligans Island). Book was inscribed and signed by both Authors.

this? http://www.ebay.com/itm/you-doing-a...Collectible&hash=item27c2c51d26#ht_500wt_1287

Yes that is it.

 

[curbdiggercarl57]

My Neighbor manages our local GW, She let me know in a discreet way that everthing is picked over before it hits the floor.

Discreet? Man, once at my local GW an employee came out from the back and when saw me looking through the LPs, he LITERALLY told me "dont waste your time, I already picked out all the Beatles, Stones, Hendrix, etc". He actually took me in the back to show me his stash!

I know for a fact as my mom used to work for Gwill back in late 90's into the early 2000's that a employee there can not root/stash items for themselves everything must be put on floor for sale for atleast 24hrs before an employee can buy it... I have tho bought items an just given to employees at a differnt gwill that I know they wanted or collected the item

But yet they still do it.
I've seen and heard about some of the workers will stash items in rarely looked at areas.
Carl

 

[Beans]

But yet they still do it.
I've seen and heard about some of the workers will stash items in rarely looked at areas.
Carl
[/quote]

Funny you said that, I found some stuff hidden in the pants section today, did not consider them hidden till now. The pants hang all the way the floor and unless you are buying pants you would not know the stuff was there. I found them by accident when I stepped on a pair of jeans and I was putting them back. Now that you brought that to my attention I will be more active in looking for the hidden treasurse. Time to put on my monical and break out the old trench coat and pipe. I am sure I wont be noticed.

 

[SEANO]

I've done well at multiple GW's. For me, it's all about timing, luck and knowing what items are easier finds at particular GW's... because they are all different! I hit my local one once or twice a day and the others once or twice a week. Its a RARITY that I don't come out of there with something to sell, scrap or I could use at home.

 

[diggummup]

But yet they still do it.
I've seen and heard about some of the workers will stash items in rarely looked at areas.
Carl

Not only the workers do it, but shoppers do it too. It's called putting it on "lay-a-way". I've done it. Before I had my smart phone, if there was something I was unsure about, I would hide it somewhere, where it (hopefully) wouldn't be noticed, until I could go home and check it out on my computer to see if it's worth going back for. As for items being picked through or checked out by the workers at Gwill, it's true they do this. But they don't know everything, nor do they catch everything. The finds are fewerr nowadays, but they are still there. The thing is consistency, you must be consistent and go everyday to see what "new" items have been put on the shelves. My brother in law is retired to due health reasons, he makes his "rounds everyday and manages 4-5 good finds a week at the 5 different thrift stores he frequents, his two best stores for finds are a certain Goodwill and the other a warehouse run by someone who purchases storage units and such. He sells in bulk to this lady- http://www.cheshirecatantiques.com/ much of the stuff on her site comes from him, stuff he finds at thrift stores, he doesn't even do garage sales or estates but rarely.

 

[GibH]

But they don't know everything, nor do they catch everything.

This is the key. It is also why this forum is so important. I've learned a great deal from here. The more you learn, the greater your chance of success. I kick myself sometimes for passing on something I know I should buy but don't. Just last week I passed up a couple of scopes. One was a ColtJr 6x. I didn't buy them because they were a bit rusted. Even in the condition it was, the ColtJr would been an easy $30. I found out they quit making that model in 1972.

One of the most profitable items I've learned to look for came from here. Who would've thought you could sell perfume and make 1500% profit?

Knowledge = Success

 

[SEANO]

One of the most profitable items I've learned to look for came from here. Who would've thought you could sell perfume and make 1500% profit?

Knowledge = Success

I know I posted some perfume finds in the past. My best sales was a discontinued brand. Bought two small bottles, one was new in box, other was 3/4 full w/o box. Sold the new one for $450 and the used $275. Paid $3 for both at a local thrift.

 

[Grundestoun]

It's called putting it on "lay-a-way". I've done it. Before I had my smart phone, if there was something I was unsure about, I would hide it somewhere, where it (hopefully) wouldn't be noticed, until I could go home and check it out on my computer to see if it's worth going back for.

I found someone's "layaway" yesterday at savers. Too bad for them. Yea me!!!!!!!!!! I paid 10.00 for it. Its worth around 150.00 - 200.00. You shouldn't ever leave anything if you have a gut feeling. Just buy it.

At Goodwill I just found a figurine for .69 cents sold it for 12.99 and another figurine for 1.99 sold for 19.99. I currently also have a Waterford crystal dish that I bought for 3.99 worth about $40. I go at least twice a week.

 

[woodstock]

Well sometimes the Gwill can have some great stuff. About 2 1/2 months back I bought a brand new PSP still factory sealed for $4.99 ! I was planning on selling it but gave it to my son. And I just missed out on a pair of pair of Klipsch Monitor speakers in walnut cabinets, let were large I'd say about 30" x 30" cube shaped for $24.99 each and were in excellent condition. If I could have snapped them up I probley could have got a over $500 for the pair. But when you snooze you loose and I lost out. I still can find streling now and then but never any gold anymore. I picked up a autowind antique wristwatch 10K gold filled for $1.99 and sold it for $189.00. I make it a point to stop by almost every day and I admit the picken's are getting slim and there are the vulchers you have to deal with but I still can snatch up on great deals now and then. By the way, not all Gwill's sell there stuff on the web. Keep lookin'
e'nuff said, Woodstock

 

[creeper71]

But yet they still do it.
I've seen and heard about some of the workers will stash items in rarely looked at areas.
Carl

Not only the workers do it, but shoppers do it too. It's called putting it on "lay-a-way". I've done it. Before I had my smart phone, if there was something I was unsure about, I would hide it somewhere, where it (hopefully) wouldn't be noticed, until I could go home and check it out on my computer to see if it's worth going back for. As for items being picked through or checked out by the workers at Gwill, it's true they do this. But they don't know everything, nor do they catch everything. The finds are fewerr nowadays, but they are still there. The thing is consistency, you must be consistent and go everyday to see what "new" items have been put on the shelves. My brother in law is retired to due health reasons, he makes his "rounds everyday and manages 4-5 good finds a week at the 5 different thrift stores he frequents, his two best stores for finds are a certain Goodwill and the other a warehouse run by someone who purchases storage units and such. He sells in bulk to this lady- http://www.cheshirecatantiques.com/ much of the stuff on her site comes from him, stuff he finds at thrift stores, he doesn't even do garage sales or estates but rarely.

you just wasn't quick enough to get that tiffany vase.. just joking around Dig's.. I t was your bro n law that was on antique road show right?