Estate Sale Jewelry

Hi Tag Poppers

How are your adventures in estate and garage sales coming along. Yesterday at work, we had a man who spends his life and makes his living buying estate sale jewelry.  He lives and mostly makes his purchases on the west coast, (Beverly Hills, CA), he will travel to sales all over the world that he believes he will find quality, rare and very sellable merchandise.

Some of the estate sale finds that he brought, included engagement and wedding rings from first, second and/or third marriages of some famous stars.  Sometimes, the named star is the only reason an exaggerated value for some of the jewelry.  More often the value is high because the famous get to deal with some rare and valuable pieces.

Antonio's visit reminded me to take a good look at the jewelry offered at local estate sales.  I myself, have found interesting and fun pieces.  The value is undetermined as I have not seriously looked into having my finds appraised.  I did ask a worker at a pawn shop if he recognized anything significant about a bracelet that I found (see above picture).  He did not know for sure, but figured my piece was mass produced using a metal that was not marked. It might be silver, pewter or nickel.  It doesn't really matter though, because I like the piece, wear it almost everyday and paid $2.00 for it.  That is how I roll! If I like a piece it doesn't have to be monetarily valuable, it just has to have a certain look or feel to it.

Happy Tag Popping and Merry Christmas

update on ad

Hello Readers!

Today is Saturday and I was so anxious to see the ad I placed for my desk with hutch.  But, alas, it was not in the paper! I am unclear as to what happened, but the ad was missing and so all the phone calls I was anticipating answering today, from interested buyers, will not happen.

Instead, since I was not planning on going to any estate/yard sales today I will, instead, make some good use of my time and clean up my house.  I will even organize some other stuff that I want to sell.

It is good to keep in mind that when one idea fails to live up to your expectations, having a plan B is useful.  It is the beginning of fall and the weather is turning a bit chilly.  I got to thinking that this is a good time to post a note about timing.  It is good to think about what your customers want at specific times of the year.  Spring is good for gardening items, spring and summer clothing, outdoor toys (bikes, roller skates/blades) and other misc household items.  Fall is a good time to sell winter sports equipment (ice skates, snow boards), shovels, rakes, fall & winter clothing and holiday items. You can always put out the other things you want to sell, but you will usually have to price the items at a lower rate than 'prime season'.

Happy Tag Popping Readers!!!

new ad placed

Hello Poppers

Today I am posting another ad.  This time it will be for a chair that I found at an estate sale that I visited on my lunch hour.  I had been looking for a chair off and on for a while and this one caught my eye. When I entered the house I saw this to the left of the living room, at the end of a hall and it was loaded up with other items.  At first I disregarded the chair, but then I thought to go back and have a look.  There was a tag on it for maybe $10.00, maybe $12.00, so I took the tag off and went to ask if the chair was sold.  Apparently it was still available, so I bought it.  It is in excellent condition and it from around the 1940's.  The material is gold lamme in color and the texture is not leather or regular fabric, the fabric is like a cotton plastic.  Best description I can come up with.  I really like the chair, (like I really like all my finds), but I think this is something that will definitely bring in some money. I am asking $250.0 for the chair.  I think it is worth it and I hope that is what I get.  I hope I am not overpricing this piece so that I can keep it.  If it is at the right price, it will sell.  People only spend what they think it is worth.  My audience (customer) should have refined taste to appreciate this piece, or should I say, to understand that $250.00 for this piece is really a steal.

I will keep you updated.  Happy tag popping to you!!!

Posting ads in the paper

It is true that I enjoy popping tags.  And... as you know from various posts, I have not been selling what I buy.  Today I changed the game and posted an item in the local paper that allows for free ad placement if the item is listed to sell for under $300.00.

The ad placed was for a desk with a hutch and I priced it at $200.00. After closer looks at the ads that were listed for today I may have overpriced my desk.  The ad will run next week and I sure hope it sells.  I am beginning to get excited for the possibility of getting rid of some of my household goods.

My motivation is to clear out the old to make way for some, but much less, new stuff.

I am planning on placing another ad this evening because you can place up to three ads in the paper for free (under $300.00 of course!).

Happy Tag Popping!!!

pictures of estate sale finds

My first estate sale find.  Paid about $5.00 for it and had it rewired for about $8.00 It is very cool as you can see.

Hello Tag Poppers

Today is the day for tag popping.  I am showing you some of my finds during my previous treasure hunting escapades. I have mentioned that I enjoy the process of finding a treasure and have often thought I would sell some of my finds, but I get emotionally attached to my finds and haven't ended up selling anything.  I know I could make money on my finds but since I only buy what I like, it is hard to part with my stuff.  

Below is what I believe is a chinese intaglia that I bought for $7.60. It was in a cheap frame, laying on a dresser and everyone was passing it over.  I wanted it and once bought and safely in the confines of my car, I took it out of the cheap frame and admired my find.  I have asked many folks what exactly this is and the most helpful information came from a friend who is from China.  She said it is a story that would be with other pieces that also tell stories.  Together, they would tell a bigger story.

Pop your tags!

Saturday is Tag Popping Day!

But... I did not pop any tags! I have a friend who rents a booth at an antique mall.  She has often offered to sell items that I have found.  I have never taken her up on the offer because I figure I can make more money by selling the items myself.

But...I only buy items I like and I don't end up selling them.

But ... this is gonna change, because I need to start getting rid of items in my house that are taking up space.  I want to start saving money to send my daughter on a senior trip and I must get moving on this money making venture.

But ... the season is changing quickly.  Fall is here and soon the winter will remove the possibility of yard sales so I would have to go through ads in the paper, on ebay and etsy.  I actually read through the local paper today and there were so many items listed on the free classified ads that it MAY inspire me to list some items.

multi-person yard sales

Hello Poppers

Today I am filling out a form for my child's school yard sale.  $25.00 for a double parking spot, front and back.  Park your car in the back, display your wares in the front.  The pros to participating in this sort of yard sale:
1) You don't have to advertise, the sponsor does that for you
2) You only set up and tear down your spot
3) Lots of other sellers so more people are likely to stop and shop
4) Early bird shopping for you and the other sellers
5) $25.00 is rather inexpensive when you figure out the cost to place an ad
6) The leftovers can be left for the boy
scouts to pack up and take to donate to the local charity of their choice

Cons:
1) You have to pack up and bring the goods and pack up and bring the unsellable home if you do not want to donate it
2) You do not have a say in the charity that others decide to take your goods
3) No tax write off for your donated goods

Even though I have to pack up the car and perhaps, make more than one trip to the school, this is a great deal.  The price is reasonable and the proceeds go to the club sponsors.  Win-win!

Popping tips on towels

Hello Taggers

Today's post will be brief.  When you go to estate sales and they have a bunch of towels for sale, find the best, softest towels and, if you can get them cheap enough, buy them!!!

For what you might ask???  as I never recommend buying things like towels, bedding etc... resale.  However, over the last few weeks, my child has participated in car washes for her school and the moderator has been looking for towels, which made me think how I often see towels at yard, estate and tag sales and never ever even touch them.  But, if you can buy a bunch of towels to donate to your school for car washes, then I say 'do it'!  You most likely can get some sort of write off, but even if you can not, this is a good thing to do.

You can purchase towels (of any softness) for donating to your school, but pick some up for your own car (I recommend buying resale towels that are super soft (any color).   Use these towels on your car and then, when they get grimy, just toss them out!  No Remorse!

That is my advice for today.  Thanks for all the emails and signs of appreciation.  It really makes me happy.  I am glad that sharing some bits and pieces of information is helpful!

Out of season selling

Hello Tag Popping Readers

This weekend was a bust as far as treasures found.  In other words, I found/bought nothing!

As I previously shared with you I did work on other things related to popping tags.  I organized some stuff that I will be selling and as I did this, I was also organizing the change of season clothing.  Washing, drying, packing...

I will be doing the same tasks this week only with the upcoming season.  I'll pull out the fall and winter things, have the kids try on clothes and get this stuff separated and maybe even labeled for the upcoming sales.

Here is a clue for you about selling...  People do not purchase previous season clothing or other items related to the passing season.  There site is set firmly on the future and the past is over.  With this in mind, should you have stuff you really want to get rid of cuz it is taking up too much room, you may have to settle on a very low price.

I bought a leaf blower last year for about $10.00.  There are four pieces to it and it works great.  I have recently seen these for sale for upwards of $200.00 (used) and I am going to list it for that price.

Also, clothing out of season will rarely fetch much.  SO...again if you are just looking to get rid of stuff and open up some space you will have to start low.  I'm gonna put everything out at the drama sale and see what goes.

And lastly... If you have a 1.000's items and everything sells for a buck you will make a $1,000.00, if you have 500 items and they sell for $2.00, you will make $1,000 and 500 items at $4.00 will also bring in $1,000.  keep this in mind when you are setting prices. There is money to be made, but you have to price the pieces correctly.

Greeting Fellow Poppers!

Today is my usual tag popping day.  I went to two different sales.  One was a church sale where the parishiners donated the items and the money went to a church outside of the country.  There were lots of items for sale; nothing that caught my eye.

The second sale was an estate sale. The home of a recently deceased doctor who raised his family in this house.  There was also much to choose from; a bit higher end than the church and this money was part of the family's estate.  I found nothing there, either. My daughter, however found a great Audrey Hepburn type hat - $ 4.21.

Since one of my weekend days is usually focused on some aspect of making money, I did a couple of things that are related to that.  One, I filled out the form to participate in my child's school fund raising yard sale that will be held in 3 weeks, $25.00 per slot and the money goes to the drama club. The second thing I did related to making money was to begin a list of what items I will be selling and pricing those pieces.  Since the sale is in the fall, I usually only bring fall/winter items.  This year will be no different, except we will be bringing holiday related items as well.  We are going to try and raise money for a New York trip in the late fall.  Perhaps take the train and see a broadway show.

I will also take some of the money and put it into a savings account.  Christmas is coming and I like being prepared.  We also have a birthday to celebrate just before Christmas, so it is an extra busy and fun time for us.  I will blog about the yard sale, perhaps during and most definitely one or two times before to give updates on the prepping.

Enjoy your day and as always... Happy Tagging!!!

Hello Taggers!

Today's topic is not related to popping tags so much as it is about getting rid of the stuff you have accumulated.  I don't know about you, but I started popping tags because I saw something that interested me as I was driving around town. I bought it and brought it home.  I still, to this day, enjoy the beauty of this particular piece (a lamp).  See pic below.

 I have recently discovered that although I make my purchases with the intention to resell, rarely do I actually sell anything.  I get emotionally attached to my purchases.  Apparently, I only buy what I like, and that makes it difficult to part with.  So today I am going to make a suggestion about the purchases that you intend to sell.  This only a suggestion, an experiment if you will.  There is no pressure.  But, think about making a purchase, only after you have either sold, donated or made an exchange of a piece you already own.  In other words, something must leave before you bring anything new into your living space.  If you are addicted to popping tags, this may be difficult. If you are not, then I imagine there will be no problem.  You may be surprised at the outcome.  Share your stories as they unfold.  The readers are interested!

Yard Sale, Anyone???

Hey Taggers!

Do you ever think about conducting your own tag (garage, yard, estate) sale?

Here is some concrete advice to help make for a smooth sale.

Gather up your items to see what you have so you can determine if having a sale is a good idea.  Once that has been determined, check out your goods to find your 'notable' pieces.  Notable pieces will be the ones that will lure your customers in? They will be the interesting pieces or the pieces that you know collectors are looking for.  Once you have your special items, clean them up so they are in the best condition possible.

If you have enough pieces to have a sale the next step is to set the date.  Weekends work best for estate sales and some garage sales,  however, if you don't have that much to sell, consider a one day only sale.  Saturdays are good for this type of sale and you can limit the time you will be selling and that will encourage people to make your house an early stop.  Get the people to stop by while they have money to spend.

With the date set, you will need to advertise.  Use your special or 'notable' pieces in the advertisement.  Be clear and concise in your ad.  Date, time. location and special pieces.  Keep it inexpensive! You are having the sale most likely, to get rid of stuff and to make some money.  If you spend too much money on the ads, your profit is less.  Less is not good! Consider placing signs at the end of your street and throughout your subdivision if you are not easily found.  You do not want your potential customers getting frustrated on their drive and giving up.  Also, consider asking your neighbors to join in on the sale.  More sellers equals more buyers.  Plus, they can share the price of the ads announcing the sale.

Tags your pieces with prices that are reasonable.  Having said this I have found that some sellers price their merchandise at prices equal to the stores prices.  I do not know how well these pieces sell, but I do know that I do not buy used merchandise for retail prices.  I just don't!

Borrow tables and clothes racks to display your items.  Just like in a store, the nicer the display, the more desirable the merchandise looks. You are going for desirable, right?

You can put your signs up a few days before the actual sale to announce the sale, but not all neighborhoods allow for this.  If yours does, then do it.  If not, you will need to spend some time the night before putting up the signs.

Have about $100.00 in change, $20.00's, $10.00's, $5.00's and quarters... use an apron with deep pockets if you have one.  Very convenient - carry the money with you!

Rise early the day of the sale.  Set out your wares.  Grab a chair and possibly a table with an umbrella to block the sun (or rain).  As the sale progresses and you notice people looking at some pieces, but not buying, ask them why.  You may be overpricing your goods or there may be a flaw you did not see.  Be willing to come down in price if you really want to get rid of things.

After the sale, whatever you do not sell, can be taken immediately to the charitable organization of your choice for a tax write-off and less clutter in your home.

The profit of popping

Hello Tag Poppers

There was only one estate sale listed this weekend, but I did not go. It is a holiday weekend and it's not uncommon to only have a few resale choices. People are busy doing other things. It's the change of season and it's back to school time.

The weather was nice, but I was busy cleaning and prepping for the season change.  I did spend some time online researching ways to make extra money.  I don't remember how many sites I visited, but I can tell you that every one of them listed re-selling as a viable option.  The overwhelming advice is to find an item that is under priced and in good condition and resell it on ebay.com or etsy.com.

As you know I visit garage and tag sales, estate sales and resell stores. One of my best purchases was a patio set for $50.00.  I was walking into a Goodwill store and I noticed a worker putting out chairs around a patio table.  I asked him how much it was and he looked around, a bit unsure and said $50.00.  I asked him for the ticket and as he was writing it up I was pulling out my checkbook.  I knew this was a good deal.  I did not know how I would get this stuff home as there were 7 pieces to the set. After paying, I went out to move my car closer and was met by the manager who told me the person who set the price was not authorized to set the price and in his inexperience had set the price way, way too low.  I told him that I thought that I had gotten a great deal, but in light of the error, what did he have in mind?  Did he want to re-price the set (I had already paid by now) and he said no, that it was ok, but to realize what a good deal I had gotten.  I told him that I did recognize the deal and was really happy about it, as I had been looking for a patio set for a long time.

It has been two years since I bought this set and I still feel lucky to have gotten the deal.  I am also happy because I recognized the good deal and moved immediately to secure it.  Because of my experience, I knew to immediately get the ticket for the purchase and to move quickly to pay for it.  I did take the time to make sure every piece that was out, was in good condition.  I have not sold this set yet even though I know I could make an easy 200-250 for it (above what I paid), but I really like the set and we have a yard to put it.

If I do want to sell my patio set, the best time to do so will be in late spring, early summer.
Also important to remember is that you must take care of the merchandise that you buy that you want to sell.  If it gets ruined due to lack of care or neglect, then you have lost your original investment. And if you want to get into the nitty gritty economics of it, then you have also lost your investment of time, wear and tear on your car and interest that your money could be accruing and/or the potential purchases you could have made with the original spending money.

OK happy Tag Poppers. The bottom line is to understand what you are buying, pay attention to the condition and move quickly if you know it is a good deal.  If you are going to resell an item, clean up the item and make sure it looks great!  Your selling reputation is tied to your sales and you want that to be impeccable and trustworthy.  Learn as much as you can about the business in your off time so that you can recognize a good deal when you see it.

Finally, try, try, try not to get emotionally involved in the item otherwise you could end up with a house full of purchases, intended for resell.

The beginning

Hello Tag Poppers!

I have been hooked on thrift store shopping for a number of years.  I believe it began when I drove past a garage sale and a cool lamp caught my eye.  I stopped, which is something I had never done before, and bought the lamp - frazzled cord and all!  I took the lamp to a small appliance repair shop where it was rewired and ready for my personal use.  I love the lamp. Years later, I see it and still enjoy the aesthetics of it.  It is truly a one-of-a-kind.

As the years passed and my pay increased incrementally,  the frequency of my yard sale, thrift store shopping slowed.   It was nothing personal.  I was spending my  'down time' differently.   But then, the economy turned. I had a child to raise and the need to protect my income, grew.  I wanted to save some money and since I am interested in recycling and helping save the earth, thrift shopping was an easy way to keep to my belief systems.  There are many items, however, that I would never buy second-hand.  Mattresses come to mind. Furniture that is stained in ways that whisper ... mold, as well as undergarments and dishes.

But the reality of thrift shopping, or popping tags, is that people in America over-buy.  They buy stuff they can't afford and/or will never use.  I can not tell you how many estate sales and thrift stores I have been to, where there were many items with the price tags still on, in bags and apparently, never used.  Such a waste. That is where we, the tag poppers, benefit!  Their wasted purchases become our frugal finds.

A word of warning, regarding the potential for savings, however.  You really need to know the prices for items bought new.  I have been out popping tags and found items that could be bought brand new for cheaper than what the price was at the resale shop.  The upside to buying new is that you can return or exchange a faulty item.  Estate sale purchases, on the other hand, as well as most thrift shop purchases, can not be returned or exchanged.  Keep this in mind.

It's Saturday morning. . . Let's go pop some tags!

Happy thrifting.

Potential purchase problems

Hello Taggers

I just wanted to touch on a subject regarding yard & estate sales, that you do not normally hear about.  It is the subject of potential problems with resale purchases.  For instance, if you are going to purchase an item such as an air purifier you need to know 1) that you can still purchase the filters for the purifier and 2) that there is nothing unclean lurking inside the purifier that could pollute your environment.

Making certain you can still purchase filters can be as easy as using your phone while on the sale site and researching on-line the product ands it's accessories.

With regard to potential polluters inside this type of purchase, one can never be sure 100%, but you may be able to spot check for some bugs and obvious dirts and molds.  Smelling the product, (sounds silly, I know), may alert you to possible molds and or mildews, which you may not want to introduce into your living environment.

I recommend that you keep this information in the forefront of your mind on Tag day.  It could save you time and money.

Hello Taggers!

Yesterday was a busy day for me, but not in regards to estate sales.  In fact, I went to 2 yard sales, but only because they were on my way dropping kids off, picking kids up...  neither sale had anything of interest to me, so my $20.00 could be spent today at some resale venue, grow to $40.00 for next week or I can opt to remain at the original (unspent) but spendable $20.00. (Let's see what kind of bills come in this week) ...

Regarding my Asian art piece: In our Sunday's newspaper, there is a column where readers can submit questions about estate sale finds or antiques or other items of possible interest.  This morning I emailed a picture of the Asian art, told him (the author) about my find and requested any possible information regarding my find.  I will keep you updated if any information is found.  Until then, it is another day of chaueffering and potential sales along the way.

Reminder: If you are finding any interesting pieces on your journeys, please post some pics for the readers to see.  Your back stories are welcome as well.

Happy Tag Popping!

Prepping for the sales

Hello Tag Poppers

It is Friday and a great time to get the papers or go on-line to find the sales you want to go to on the week-end!

I like to get the newspaper and map out the areas I want to travel to only after I know what the options are. I rarely find more than two or three that I want to go to and have found, oddly enough, that if I find something to buy at the first sale, I might as well go home, because I have never bought anything at a sale I went to after I have made a purchase.

I know, it sounds weird, but it is true.  I often joke that I might as well go home now that I bought (fill in the blank).

Oh yeah. if you are doing the $20.00 challenge, take the price of the paper out of the total amount spent.

Also, since I posted the picture of the Asian art work that I bought last week, I have had a few suggestions as to what it might be made of and all were saying wood, but I don't know what kind. Teak seems to be the most likely.  Also, a guy that I work with told his friend's boss about the item and he thinks the boss might be interested in buying it.  Everyone is fascinated by it because it is just that cool!

And one last thing about my Asian art piece, there is a number on the bottom border, but so far, my internet investigation has led me no-where, for now...

Interesting find at estate sale

Hello Fellow Tag Poppers

Yesterday I went to an estate sale and found this little (1 1/2 in x 2 1/2 in) chinese artifact, (pic below). It was glued to a very tacky frame with a $10.00 sticker on it.  I am unclear what it is and what the material is that the carving is made from, but I have a friend who is knowledgeable about this sort of stuff and I will be presenting it to her for help this coming week.  I ended up paying $7.60 for it as there was a slight discount for Saturday shoppers.  Had I waited until today, if it were still there it would have been $5.00 or maybe even less, depending on what the estate sale people would be willing to accept for it.   It may be worth nothing more than $2.00 so may sure that when you spend your money, there is something you like about the piece.  I haven't forgotten the challenge people, and now that I have figured out how to download pics from my camera, I will post more of what I find.  Please feel free to send me pics to post of your interesting finds as well.  Happy happy, tag popping!!!  :)

Challenge accepted

Hello Tag Poppers

I have accepted the challenge to take a $20.00 bill and get something that I can turnover and make some money.  As many of my readers know, I like to refinish furniture and this weekend I found a new project to tackle.  I bureau, probably from the 1940's and in need of some scraping, otherwise the piece is solid wood and quite handsome.  It cost $5.00 and the folks at the garage sale actually transferred it to my home, four miles away!!! Bonus!

My plan is to scrap off the varnish/paint and sell it. I would normally not want to take the varnish off, but with this piece I think it is necessary.  Also, as a fan of the Antiques Roadshow,  I know that scraping the finish off will reduce the value.  I think, in this case, scraping may actually increase the value.   ; )

I spent $5.00  on the furniture, which means I have $15.00 to buy any supplies I may need for this specific project.  I will need new handles and also some new supplies, as yet to be determined.  I will subtract any money spent from the original $20.00 and put that into the next purchase...or the cost of advertising the finished project.

I will post a picture and you can track the progress.

Happy Tag Popping

Happy Saturday Tag Poppers

First off, thanks to the readers who emailed me quick and non-toxic ways to remove old paint and varnish.  I am happy to say, that the brillo pad worked quickest, however it required more sanding...

Ok so it is Sat and the challenge was on to take twenty dollars and go off and pop some tags with the goal of creating some extra money for bigger purchases.

What did you find? and... how will you promote and sell your findings??

As some of my readers of this blog know, I run a grassroots organization for single moms and I blog about it.  I am only sharing this information because I like to pop tags on wood furniture that I can strip and reuse.  Some of this furniture will be housed in a storage unit for single moms in need.

The only charge is a donation, but if the mom can not afford one, NO PROBLEM!

There may be times that I need to work quickly to re-furb the furniture.  When I have the time, I like to use a scraper, but sometimes, it is necessary to move fast.  Are there any recommendations on how to expedite the process of removing old paint and/or varnish, using products that are environmentally safe?  Please do share.  Thanks!

Hi Taggers!

Today I wanted to share with you a phenomenon that is occurring with a niche group of tag poppers. This group is purchasing resale clothing and creating new, updated trendy clothing.  It is the art of refashioning and  my partner in tag popping, Tess, (who is the clothing expert) found one site online that is worthy of sharing.  The site is refashionista.net and the young woman who is behind this site is Jillian.   Jillian shows in step by step moves, how she takes merchandise she (often) finds unattractive, and creates an up to date, fashionable new item.  It's an interesting site and you should visit to see what this is all about.

In keeping with this new angle to popping tags, Tess and I found a dress today at the Goodwill.  We will be posting pictures of our process of refashioning this dress into something that true hipsters will want.  

While I'm thinking about this

Hello Tag Poppers

I wanted to share with you some information that you don't normally hear about, relating to this hobby... and that is, the problem of bringing furniture or other items into your home that have fleas or worse yet...bedbugs.

I wrote in a recent post about my avoidance of bringing certain items (mattresses)  into my home that can be purchased second-hand. For me, I  would rather sleep on the floor or a couch until I have saved up enough money to purchase a new mattress.  It is just the way I am.  I have a 'thing' about used bedding and/or other personal items and refuse to buy them unless they are new.

However, not everyone shares this thought and apparently you can get mattresses and other furniture for some unbelievably low prices.  IF you choose to go this route I want to share with you that you must be vigilant in your purchases.  If any item you purchase has fleas, ticks or worse yet, the dreaded bedbug, you are asking for trouble and the possibility that you will end up spending much time and money to rid your home of this trouble makers.  As one who does not like bugs AT ALL, but who puts up with them when camping with the family, I would not take kindly to having to deal with bugs inside my home.

The reason I am bringing this up so early in the blog is to help make you, the reader, aware that a good deal may not always be a good deal and you must enter into all your transactions with less emotion and more intelligence and patience.  Always  make it a point to ponder your purchases and be prepared to walk away if you see signs of any potential problems.

Case in point.
A fellow tag popper purchased an air purifier for her home.  Within days of the purchase, her cat was beginning to scratch.  FLEAS! Poor thing.  $10.00 for the purifier, $45.00 for cat flea and tick treatment. :(

Also...I, myself, purchased a desk for my daughters bedroom last summer.  We brought it in, wiped it out (it looked like it had been stored in a basement or garage for a while.  Anyway...as the summer heated up, the desk began to smell musty.  It had some type of mildew, easily cleaned with vinegar, but
unfortunately, reoccurring.

On the the bright side, we were able to take the desk outside into the side lot and use it for gardening.  It looks cool nestled under a big bush-like tree and we keep garden tools in it. (Should pin it on pinterest).
But that purchase as well as the problem that ensued with the air purifier purchaser are alerts for us to be aware of potential problems.  I pop tags for the fun of it and to save some money, I don't want to end up spending money to fix a problem from a purchase.

Popping Tags

Hello Fellow Tag Poppers!!!!

Welcome to my blog about the art of thrift shopping.  I'm calling it popping tags 'cuz it's just so dang catchy.  Macklemore inspired me and I hope he is cool with that!

I looked up popping tags and was surprised to learn that it is considered to be the act of removing tags from merchandise you just purchased.  However, I work retail and we consider popping tags to be the actions of a thief prepping merchandise before they attempt to steal it.  Any time you find a tag on the floor in a store, it was a potential theft.  Even though, the reality is that tags sometimes...just ... fall...off!

I'm looking forward to this blog journey, because I am a maven and this is a showcase for my maven ways.  If you question what a maven is, then read The Tipping Point.  It was from that book that I learned that my desire to share information (without attempting to gain anything in return) was a 'thing'. I like to share information and I will share information with whomever wants it.  I am not offended by someone who is not interested in what I have to say.

So to get back to popping tags... My plan is to share what I have learned over the years about thrift shopping.  I have had some hits and some misses.  I will post some pictures of both.  I also have a brilliant plan to grow some money as I venture down this blogging road.  I will share this plan.  It may work, it may not.  But I am up for it.  Are you in?