No one can know everything about everything. Most of the time, this is the frustration I face when I'm out thrifting. I have many niches, (pretty much anything that'll turn a buck) but I know I'm passing things on the shelves and tables that are worth more. I just don't know it. Google and my Droid are helping though.
But what I'm talking about here is the fact that not every Thrift Store pricer, garage sale Owner, even Professional Estate Sale....runner...person...dealer...guy can know everything about everything that they put out.
And occasionally, that works to our advantage.
I went to an estate sale last Friday that was put on by family members. However, the nephew running the sale was in the BIZ. He holds Estate Sales for a living. So it was pretty professional. I approached the tent outside the house about 2 pm and took a look at the expensive jewelry, antiques and doodads that were in the glass cases. Prices were high...pretty much at retail.
Things were fairly picked over inside the house and what was left was expensive. I'm sure other 'pickers' were waiting for 20% off Saturday or 50% off Sunday.
Then I saw the above camera. It's a Polaroid SX-70 Sonar Folding Land Camera. And it had a nifty over the shoulder carrying case. It was $6.
Check Etsy for these and they are mostly all listed at about $100. They're a little bit less on Ebay.
I came home and listed mine for about $70 on Etsy (condition issues...and I can't test it...no film) and I sold it today.
So my point is, not everyone can know everything about everything. I don't. I just happen to know that Polaroid cameras aren't just old cameras. There are several desirable models and folding land cameras are one of them. Last time I saw a similar one at an Estate Sale, the owners had it priced at $150!! At an Estate Sale!! So that dealer knew. This one didn't.
Just a quick tip to remind you that there's usually 1 or 2 items at every sale or store that is underpriced. And we get the fun of finding it!!
What about you? What was your best under-the-radar item??
Nice reminder to KEEP HUNTING, eve if a sale seems like a loss. You never know when you'll find a Gem, like the camera you have here!
ReplyDeleteA pair of never worn Salvatore Ferragamo flats for $6 at a yard sale, sold quickly on ebay for $99. A Cole Haan woven leather hobo purse at Goodwill for $3.99 that sold an hour after posting on ebay for $75.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge reseller but I was just thinking last night that I scored a tshirt from a Salvo almost 7 years ago and I still wear at least once a week. Kinda the same thing, right?
ReplyDelete$6 to $70? That's a nice turnaround! Though I'm in love with Polaroid so I would have been so tempted to keep it.
ReplyDelete<3Jackie @ Let's Go Thrifting!
Do you all have any tips or website to point a new thrifter to? I know what I like, but if there is any resource out there that has like some common thrifting finds, etc, that would be so helpful!
ReplyDeleteI went to an estate sale put on by professionals that priced everything high. Well not everything. I bought an all black nativity set handmade in Zaire for $7 and sold it on Ebay for $86.
ReplyDeleteI found a Blue Concert program signed by Thelonius Monk in a shelf on the last day of an estate sale. Priced at 1.00 from the first day. Sold it for $100.00.
ReplyDelete