Things that I hunt for at garage sales / thrift stores

[diggummup]

This needs a bump to the top and maybe a sticky at the top. there are so many good ideas here.

somewhere in here is a note about buying a Big Mouth Bill Bass. Bought one saturday for $3.00 listed it sunday and sold yesterday for $15.00 not the best return on my money but I see ole Billys all the time at sales. so they are on my perminant shopping list. next time I will do a BIN for $20.00

I agree about the sticky. And I remember about the Billy Bass too. I saw one last weekend but didn't buy it. It reminded me of this when I saw it. I would have bought it but I have way too much low dollar stuff already. I have 8 banana boxes full of this type of stuff ($20 and under ebay items). It's all going in my next yard sale for pennies on the dollar. I'm trying (key word "trying") to stay away from the lower dollar items unless it fits in a manila or padded envelope. It's too much work to pack and ship for the money. For me anyway. If I had someone local, I would give it all to them, let them list it all and split the profits.

 

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[jerseyben]

Diggum, I hear you!

I am TRYING very hard to only buy stuff that can be easily shipped and will clear $25 on ebay.

Unfortunately, the effort required to sell something for any less just isn't worth it...

 

[mkulltra]

Oh, we have become so spoiled. I have boxes of stuff too that would sell for around $20 a piece but don't list it because of time, effort, and lack of excitement. Most newbies would kill for a bunch of twenty dollar items. Now if i'm not making $100+, i'm not happy.

 

[diggummup]

Oh, we have become so spoiled. I have boxes of stuff too that would sell for around $20 a piece but don't list it because of time, effort, and lack of excitement. Most newbies would kill for a bunch of twenty dollar items. Now if i'm not making $100+, i'm not happy.

If your living in S. FL. then you know what I mean. There is no shortage of small dollar items to be found for pennies on the dollar at the sales on weekends. It's just too time consuming unless your doing it full time, which I'm not.

 

[diggummup]

Diggum, I hear you!

I am TRYING very hard to only buy stuff that can be easily shipped and will clear $25 on ebay.

Unfortunately, the effort required to sell something for any less just isn't worth it...

I think we said the same thing last year, lol!

 

[deserdog]

Being a long time gold prospector, I mine the thrift stores too. And have come to realize, it is not that much different. There are a lot of items out there that yo can make a little money o with a lot of work, but every so often you find a nugget!

 

[jerseyben]

Ok, tools:

I have struggled with tools for a few years now. It seems to be hit or miss. Here is what I have learned... Avoid most electronic tools. Avoid most vintage hand tools. Avoid most "cheap Made in China" type tools (no name brand, knock off crap).

That being said, whenever I have sold at my own yard sale or set up a booth at a flea market, tools are the 2nd or 3rd most popular item that I consistently sell.

People dont tend to really collect tools as much as they buy them to use them. What I look for are mechanic style hand tools: sockets, wrenches, drivers, bits, augers, chisels, etc. Stuff like hammers and saws are much harder to sell (but much easier to find).

I buy almost anything that has the name Craftsman on it - if I can get it for cheap. I buy ANYTHING that has the name Snap-on on it - as long as the price is reasonable. Matco and Mac are also good names to look for. Stanley is just ok. I have never had a problem getting at least $1 per piece for any Craftsman socket or wrench. Snap-on tools have ebay potential (if they dont make it into my personal toolbox).

For vintage tools, I try to buy anything that is a specialty tool or anything that is in remarkably good condition. I also look for anything that is very old (like 1880s and older). The WW2 era tools until about the 1990s seem to be where you find the "chaff". This is the bulk crap that is almost worthless and is very hard to get rid of. Of course there are always exceptions, but tools are NOT my specialty and I have bought countless tools that turned out to be worthless.
I have had success with vintage machinist tools such as screw jacks. Woodworking tools are a trap that I always fall into. They seem like they would be valuable but I have never really "scored" in this area. Old bench vices seem to be worth between $15-50 for almost all of them.

Typically I try to buy tools in bulk lots for as cheap as humanly possible. That way you can piece it out and be almost guaranteed to make some money. There is usually few good pieces in every lot, maybe a few pieces you can use in your own toolbox, and often there is some scrap metal to be found in these lots too. You can then resell all the crap you couldnt move in another bulk lot later on.

 

[Tallone]

I have done pretty well with electric power tools (circular saws, drills, etc.). I can usually get these at estate auctions for $20 - $25 and sell them on Craigslist for $40 - $50. Small gas-powered tools (chainsaws, weedeaters, etc.) are often good, too. Always pull the starter cord to be sure the motor will turn over before I consider buying. Sometimes people are ready to throw a perfectly good tool away when they can't start the motor. Many times all that is needed is to replace the air filter and the spark plug. I can usually get at least $75 for gas-powered tools that run. Those that don't run can usually be sold as a "parts" item.

 

[jerseyben]

I have done pretty well with electric power tools (circular saws, drills, etc.). I can usually get these at estate auctions for $20 - $25 and sell them on Craigslist for $40 - $50. Small gas-powered tools (chainsaws, weedeaters, etc.) are often good, too. Always pull the starter cord to be sure the motor will turn over before I consider buying. Sometimes people are ready to throw a perfectly good tool away when they can't start the motor. Many times all that is needed is to replace the air filter and the spark plug. I can usually get at least $75 for gas-powered tools that run. Those that don't run can usually be sold as a "parts" item.

What part of the country are you located? I have never seen the prices you mention in my area.

 

[Tallone]

I'm in North Florida. Now that I'm thinking about it, most of the power tools I have picked up have been a pawn forfeiture auctions or small town auction houses. Most of the estate auctions the power tools sell for higher prices.

 

[frankendime]

Recently in a western wear store that was going out of business and found some stuff marked down in bags. It was the conchos and letters and other decorations to dress up leather and some were marked on back sterling. Bought a bag and wound up giving right at scrap value for it BUT, it got the wheels rolling and now I'm gonna grab every old yard sale western belt with silver conchos or letters I find for cheap. Found one recently with big letters that spelled BILL for a quarter. Got it home and unscrewed the letters and it was not sterling. It coulda been a nice lil score. It might behoove you to keep an eye out.

HH All!

 

[inspectorgadget]

I didn't read every single reply but from what I did read I did not see any mention of first edition books! Old first edition books can be quite profitable. I've sold 2 recently, first was a 1971 Rules for Radicals first edition book I sold for $100 & second a Movie Monsters book from the early 70's (was also a first edition & printed in England) that I got $90 out of. I paid $5 both books together!

BTW The whole "Eames" era is a joke as there is really no such thing! This "era" was made up by old sellers of items which are from as early as the early or mid 60's up to the late 70's or early 80's that fit into no other real category so a category was basically just made up by sellers for those items. People listing "Eames" era items on eBay I always have laugh at! Who was "Eames" anyhow? Well I'll tell ya he didn't exist! IMO It's a cop out way of describing or listing something you can't figure out any other way to list it! I go to auctions like clockwork & one of them is the best by far! It's crazy big (4 buildings & 5 auctions going on at the same time, 750-1000 people attend this auction every week), 80% of the auctioneers there know their stuff! & Eames era is never ever used to describe anything from that time period!

ART DECO ART DECO ART DECO.... BTW Did I say Art Deco? Around here Art Deco items are very hot! Art deco anything, the bigger the item the better! I am an art deco lover tho I do like many items from the arts & crafts era (Art Nouveau) but the Deco items definitely sell better on a whole!

At the right auctions old silver marked with a symbol/hallmark instead of .925 or sterling can be a steal! I picked up an unused looking sterling set of fish servers from Sheffield England made in 1885 with the original fitted hard case for $50. They have what I believe are bone handles that remind me of art deco stuff but these are clearly Victorian & clearly marked 1885. Get familiar with old silver hallmarks! See pic #4 for hallmarks + what they mean. I've never listed these because I love them & it would take $450 minimum for me to sell them.


I got this rare opalescent vaseline 1880's Buckeye glass Sheldon Swirl oil lamp recently for more than most would call a deal ($200) but to those who don't know the 5" fitter shade alone is worth more than what I paid for the whole lamp. I could get $500 out of this lamp without much of a problem but I collect vaseline glass so it's a big time keeper!

 

[DizzyDigger]

"First Edition Books" is a very broad category. Do the homework first, before
you go, as then you'll know what is worth buying and what is absolute dreck.

Also, get a copy of a First Edition guide, as just because it says "First Edition",
or a number line starting with "0" does not mean it's actually a true, first ed.
It's all about desirability of the particular work, the author and condition. Knowing
the actual edition status means a great deal with some titles.

For instance, Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye" in the true, First Edition, 1st Printing is
valued in the $300 to $900 range, and if signed (and signature verified) it can be
worth into the $3000-$4000 range and up depending on condition.

That same title in a First Edition, 3rd Printing will bring $40-$50 (maybe) and
a "First Thus", or First Printing/First Edition put out by another publisher at a
later date is almost worthless.

You can never learn enough about the world of book sales, but a good start is
understanding which titles/editions are desirable, and why, and what "points" to
look for when inspecting a potential, high-end purchase.

Once you've learned the basics, local library sales are a great place to get started
finding some decent books. Yes, Ex Libris are not worth as much, but there are some
uncommon titles you can find that will still bring you $100+ for a $1.00 investment.

 

[isabella1]

By far not a huge score but usually pick these up for $.50, a quarter or at most a dollar. And then usually resell them for 15 bucks.



Usually more if there is a tape in them.

 

[dirtfisherrob]

BTW The whole "Eames" era is a joke as there is really no such thing! This "era" was made up by old sellers of items which are from as early as the early or mid 60's up to the late 70's or early 80's that fit into no other real category so a category was basically just made up by sellers for those items. People listing "Eames" era items on eBay I always have laugh at! Who was "Eames" anyhow? Well I'll tell ya he didn't exist! IMO It's a cop out way of describing or listing something you can't figure out any other way to list it! I go to auctions like clockwork & one of them is the best by far! It's crazy big (4 buildings & 5 auctions going on at the same time, 750-1000 people attend this auction every week), 80% of the auctioneers there know their stuff! & Eames era is never ever used to describe anything from that time period!

Uhh, I guess you never heard of Charles & Ray Eames? They are actual real people! Charles and Ray Eames - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[inspectorgadget]

Aladdin lamps are another item to know a lot about. Some Aladdin's were/are rare, the scalloped foot Lincoln Drape in cobalt blue is worth $1700-$1800, this was made only 1 year (the very first year) 1940 (I believe). The non scalloped foot ones are almost always reproductions & not near as valuable but the cobalt blue Lincoln Drape reproductions are still not cheap ($300ish for a complete lamp)! If you stumble across a real Lincoln Drape in clear glass it's worth about $7500! Again because of rarity this has been reproduced but never with a scalloped foot! Any scalloped foot Aladdin is 100% authentic! I only own 1 scalloped foot Lincoln Drape & it's the most popular Aladdin Lincoln drape color made which is alacite which was supposed to look like old ivory. The scalloped foot ones go for $500ish while the non scalloped foot ones only go for $100-$175.

The burners alone are often worth more than what people want for a whole lamp & then there is the gallery, lamp shade holder & other pieces as well, original Aladdin lox on chimneys also have value. The oldest model A burners are expensive & thus valuable! I've mainly spoke of just one type of Aladdin lamp but Aladdin made lots & lots & lots of lamps & there is so much to know about them it's ridiculous! Be cautious as Aladdin's were reproduced a LOT! Got to know the difference before spending that $$$ on them!

 

[inspectorgadget]

Uhh, I guess you never heard of Charles & Ray Eames? They are actual real people! Charles and Ray Eames - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

OK I should have been more specific.... those guys were artists + furniture & textile makers designers yes! Now some of that WIKI info is highly inaccurate as is a lot of WIKI info! If you own an Eames piece you simply have an Eames piece.

That would be like me calling an era "the Dali era" because it was from when Salvador Dali painted & looks melted (I could call Viking Glass pieces "Dali Era" because they look molten or melted)! Or "the Lucas" era because it was from the George Lucas time & looks Star Warsish. Or how about "the Berkline era" or "Lazy boy era"?

The Eames era is not recognized by ANY reputable auction house that Ive been to! Tho Colonial, Victorian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, mid century, vintage & modern are all terms used. Old James Bond movies have a lot "Eames era" looking furniture tho nothing else Eames looking are in the films as most of the decor was or is considered Hollywood Regency yet people will list that stuff as Eames... & again I just laugh at them.

Which brings me to what I really meant is people listing lamps (especially swag lamps) & other similar era items that are not "Eames" in any way, shape or form. They list them as Eames era because they can't figure out any other thing to call them or list them as. Eames is simply called vintage at a real auction.

& BTW I'm in school to get my auctioneer license, we get taught a whole lot but "Eames" is just not a term used much if at all! & it is definitely not a term we are trained to use as it is just way way to broad! How can an item from the 1930's be "Eames" era & yet an item from 1980 also be "Eames" era? That's a real broad era there & the way a lot of "Eames era stuff is listed which makes it a worthless term.

 

[inspectorgadget]

"First Edition Books" is a very broad category. Do the homework first, before
you go, as then you'll know what is worth buying and what is absolute dreck.

Also, get a copy of a First Edition guide, as just because it says "First Edition",
or a number line starting with "0" does not mean it's actually a true, first ed.
It's all about desirability of the particular work, the author and condition. Knowing
the actual edition status means a great deal with some titles.

I agree tho I've never gone by a number on a line or it saying first edition. Usually the publisher & copyright date tells me what I need to know. Also new editions can be even bigger bucks (I don't know that much about books) but 2 weeks ago 3 boxes of new edition books sold for $800 at this auction to guys who buy alot of books there but $800 for 3 boxes is 3x as much as I have ever seen that many books sell for there. I guess there were about 3-4 books in each box & those alone were worth about $2400, I was told they'd probably easily get $3000 out of the whole lot. I've personally only bought 2 books to resell so far & got $190 out of a $5 investment. I have sold two other books as I also sold 2 Mason Bibles. I got $20 out of one they get when they become a 3rd degree master mason + it was still in the box with every piece of paperwork that came with it & I got $40 out of the other which was a master red letter edition masonic bible. But I got both those free out of the trash.

 

[Ursus]

I agree tho I've never gone by a number on a line or it saying first edition. Usually the publisher & copyright date tells me what I need to know. Also new editions can be even bigger bucks (I don't know that much about books) but 2 weeks ago 3 boxes of new edition books sold for $800 at this auction to guys who buy alot of books there but $800 for 3 boxes is 3x as much as I have ever seen that many books sell for there. I guess there were about 3-4 books in each box & those alone were worth about $2400, I was told they'd probably easily get $3000 out of the whole lot. I've personally only bought 2 books to resell so far & got $190 out of a $5 investment. I have sold two other books as I also sold 2 Mason Bibles. I got $20 out of one they get when they become a 3rd degree master mason + it was still in the box with every piece of paperwork that came with it & I got $40 out of the other which was a master red letter edition masonic bible. But I got both those free out of the trash.

I have only picked up a couple of Masonic items. They were cheap and, although I didn't get rich off either of them, they sold easily for a profit. Still have a vintage Masonic healing wand that I think is rather cool from a third source but keep holding onto it, because it is kind of cool.

 

[diggummup]

OK I should have been more specific.... those guys were artists + furniture & textile makers designers yes! Now some of that WIKI info is highly inaccurate as is a lot of WIKI info! If you own an Eames piece you simply have an Eames piece.

That would be like me calling an era "the Dali era" because it was from when Salvador Dali painted & looks melted (I could call Viking Glass pieces "Dali Era" because they look molten or melted)! Or "the Lucas" era because it was from the George Lucas time & looks Star Warsish. Or how about "the Berkline era" or "Lazy boy era"?

The Eames era is not recognized by ANY reputable auction house that Ive been to! Tho Colonial, Victorian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, mid century, vintage & modern are all terms used. Old James Bond movies have a lot "Eames era" looking furniture tho nothing else Eames looking are in the films as most of the decor was or is considered Hollywood Regency yet people will list that stuff as Eames... & again I just laugh at them.

Which brings me to what I really meant is people listing lamps (especially swag lamps) & other similar era items that are not "Eames" in any way, shape or form. They list them as Eames era because they can't figure out any other thing to call them or list them as. Eames is simply called vintage at a real auction.

& BTW I'm in school to get my auctioneer license, we get taught a whole lot but "Eames" is just not a term used much if at all! & it is definitely not a term we are trained to use as it is just way way to broad! How can an item from the 1930's be "Eames" era & yet an item from 1980 also be "Eames" era? That's a real broad era there & the way a lot of "Eames era stuff is listed which makes it a worthless term.

I guess "Mad Men" shouldn't be used either, lol.

I see nothing wrong with using key words in order to draw more attention to an ebay listing. I know that purists may scoff at keyword spamming on ebay but, it is what it is. Maybe "Eames style" would be a better term. Or maybe Ebay shouldn't allow a certain word unless it was actually made by that person/company. Until then people are people and they will (including myself at times) use keywords to try and draw interest in their items. You can't blame someone for trying.


BTW- Nice lamp! I have a few pieces of vaseline glass myself, nothing like that lamp though, sweet.