Posted on 10/25/2005 6:37:45 PM PDT by SJackson
I've found lots of personal gems at the thrift store. Just clothes, sports gear, etc. for myself and familly. Trick is to go often! (and quickly!). I work outside so work shirts and jackets are my isle. Of course I'll buy a $2 shirt and it's so nice it becomes my church-going shirt! I think my best deal was a clean (new?) full-length goose down L.L. Bean coat for my wife - about $15. I think. (1/2 price sale!!)
Thanks for the ping to this thread. I LOVE thrift stores. Unfortunately, the ones I've found so far here in upper Wisconsin aren't quite as good as the ones in Denver.
FYI for everyone: ARC Thrift stores are the BEST if you happen to be in Colorado/Denver. They used to have 50% off sales at least once per month on clothes and such (great for families on budgets as some of the children's clothes are in brand-new condition if you get there early enough on sales days).
You roo!
That was my basement circa 1977 =;-)
I bought a jewelers roll-up full of them, from a guy on 14th st in DC, for a grand. It contained a couple of expensive watches, worth a lot more than my thou.
One of them, though, was a ringer, I thought. It had the name "Birks" on it. But, upon inspection, I noticed the name "Rolex" in tiny letters, on the bottom of the face.
At home, I opened tha stainless back. The case was 18k yellow, on this rectangular watch. Inside it was stamped Rolex. The movement also had the stamp Rolex!
It was missing the hands, and had no strap. but I had taken it, along with the rest of them.
I took it to a watch repairman at Fair Oaks mall, in Fairfax, VA. He was from Indian, and had lots of spare parts he had brought from retiring European shops. He looked at it, and suggested we send it to Switzerland, for inspection, or authentication.
I got a letter back from Rolex, offering 10 grand for it, so they could put it in their museum. It was made in the early 1900's, by them, for the Birks jewelry stores in Canada. Birk's had 18 specially made with a stainless back, due to the workmen's lifestyle, of those that bought them.
I asked to have it returned, and my watchmaker set some newer ROLEX hands on the beautiful filgreed face. I wear it occasionally, but it is really too dressy and fragile for everyday use. I have a Seiko, for that.
I ended up with over $85k in value, from that $1K investment, but nothing I bought, is for sale... I collect old watches...
that is the coolest thing i have ever heard! where is the jewelry repair guy in Fair Oaks Mall? i used to go to Root Jewelers in Rosyln to have my watches cleaned and serviced but it is too hard to park over there.
http://www.audiokarma.org
Audio finds and refurbs
Ah, that is the difference between someone who collects for the appreciation of the item, and a reseller who is only looking to turn a fast buck.
A true first edition of Dr. Seuss' "The Cat in the Hat" (with dust jacket) is worth thousands. I found one in my parent's attic!
There are websites and chat boards devoted to the art of dumpster diving, the hows, wheres, legalities, finds, etc.
There is also at least one interesting blog operated by a girl who goes around photographing the trash in her neighborhood each week (what people are throwing out), and documenting what she digs out and repurposes.
Ha! I was just about to ping you. ^-^
(This is how I furnished my first apartment!)
If you like old watches, too, check out the other shops in DC. Famous has many, but I bought these from Sam's...
The key to pawn shopping, is frequent visits. There is a great competition for the good stuff. I make it my business to know the owners, and they put stuff aside for me. I also buy diamonds. I can buy them cheap enought to reset. My wife sports an 8 carat tennis bracelet, made from 1/4 c. stones popped out of engagement rings, nobody wanted any more... I paid about 1/3 for it, after setting them, etc, and then sold the gold for scrap. Her 1 c. earrings cost me about $350 each...
I bought my digital camera, and most of my 35mmm stuff, at them as well. You can find just about anything OF VALUE... It's up to you to decide if it is worth what they ask...
Most of the time, it is... but you always offer less! I like the bazaar type bargaining, that you can't get many places these days...
Thanks for the ping!
Fun thread ping Gabz!
I got started on a camera collection, while living near Rochester, NY, back in the 70's. At garage sales, I found a lot of old Kodaks, from ex-Kodak employees. most had original packaging, and flash bulbs, cubes, etc. Most are worth little. But, the toptality of my collectgion today, is worth several times the sum of its individual parts. Only Kodak has a more complete lot...
I have so many duplicates, that my grandchildren use them as toys...
Boy is your wife lucky!! i have a 7ct tennis bracelet and carat diamond stud earrings, but my poor hub paid retail!! i am extremely impressed with your way of doing things! i have never been in a pawn shop in my life. i know there is one in Arlington, right off of lee hwy, and there used to be one in roslyn also.
These sites are commonly referred to as "The Mall" and are used in phrases such as "I gotta stop at the mall before we had into town." or "Look what I found at the mall."
Most folks shop The Mall when they take their trash to the dumpster.
Thanks for the ping - got some reading to do here :)
"My two best finds included a bakelite bracelet I found at the local Goodwill Store which I bought for $1.00 which, when I put it on eBay, sold for over $300.00 and an old framed print by a famous artist I found in a small thrift store that I paid $25.00 for and sold on eBay for over $800.00!"
I do the same, but sell used/antique/specialty books & music on amazon.com.
My best score was finding an Morgana King 2-CD set. Paid $5, got $199.00 for it. I once found a First Edition, 1932 copy of "Cross Creek" for 25 cents and sold that for $50.
If you know what you're looking for, you can make a tidy little sum on the side doing things like this. :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.