Hi Tag Poppers
Today. The middle of winter. It's cold outside. Not too many sales going on.
Instead. Think about ways to improve your shopping savvy.
I have mentioned in a previous post that it is to the shopper's benefit to be educated in the products you purchase. If you know what type of merchandise you are attracted to make it a point to learn about the items. For instance, I love the antiques roadshow. Today while going through files to purge I had the tv on and the Antiques Roadshow was on. I love furniture. I learned that when you pull a drawer out and examine the way it is put together, you can determine a rough age of the piece. You can also get an idea as to the type of wood used and if it was re-painted or re-varnished (which greatly reduces the value).
I will continue to purchase wood furniture with the intention of refinishing it, but my plan is to approach the piece as if it is in the best possible condition and then evaluate the possibilities. I'm going to put this new information to use as the weather begins to warm and the sales get hot!!!
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Sunday, January 19, 2014
We are green
Hello Tag Poppers, Thrift Shoppers, et al!!!
Today I went to the goodwill store in my neighborhood. I was looking for a cheap, but interesting tray for my cat's food and water dish. I found nothing that would work, but it brought to mind the fact that the goodwill store and other resale opportunities have more benefits than just cheaper 'buys'.
I was reminded how we are actually being green and protecting the environment. We are helping to slow down the growth of garbage in America (and Canada). When we shop at thrift stores we are recycling, reusing and saving the garbage dumps from more 'stufffff'!!
I have often found that some of the pieces that I have bought have proven to be more durable and better made than what I could find in the more current stores in existence today. This even includes the plastic and/or wood pieces that are for sale!
Another thought to keep in mind when shopping resale is that if you ever want a quick home renovation, just paint your walls and buy accent pieces from the goodwill or salvation army stores to pull a quick look together.
Happy Tagging Peeps
Today I went to the goodwill store in my neighborhood. I was looking for a cheap, but interesting tray for my cat's food and water dish. I found nothing that would work, but it brought to mind the fact that the goodwill store and other resale opportunities have more benefits than just cheaper 'buys'.
I was reminded how we are actually being green and protecting the environment. We are helping to slow down the growth of garbage in America (and Canada). When we shop at thrift stores we are recycling, reusing and saving the garbage dumps from more 'stufffff'!!
I have often found that some of the pieces that I have bought have proven to be more durable and better made than what I could find in the more current stores in existence today. This even includes the plastic and/or wood pieces that are for sale!
Another thought to keep in mind when shopping resale is that if you ever want a quick home renovation, just paint your walls and buy accent pieces from the goodwill or salvation army stores to pull a quick look together.
Happy Tagging Peeps
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Ideas that save you time
Hello Tag Poppers
I don't think it has been mentioned before on this blog, but if you want to save some time, (and beat the crowd) you can often sign up for estate sale alerts. Next time you visit an estate sale ask the on-site workers if there is a way to get alerts via email, facebook, twitter, etc. Often times, there are numerous ways to get the heads up.
Why would you need to be alerted to the sales?
It is to your advantage to beat the crowds, when possible, if you are going to frequent these sales with the hopes of making some extra money.
Some times, if the sale is close to my work, I will go on my lunch hour. I was able to get a great chair for $12.00 when I made the lunch time trek. I love the chair and was offered money for it immediately upon purchase. It is my 'mom' chair and I still enjoy the uniqueness of it... two years later.
Something to keep in mind however, when you are one of the first visitors and that is that the prices are usually non-negotiable. The estate sale planners know that the first group of people may want a deal, but it is to their advantage to wait at least until the end of the first day.
So sign up for early notices when you can. Just keep in mind that you may end up paying the asking price. This may still be a deal and you will know it if you have done your homework and understand the value of what you want to buy.
Tag poppers unite! Tomorrow is the beginning of the season for 2014.
I don't think it has been mentioned before on this blog, but if you want to save some time, (and beat the crowd) you can often sign up for estate sale alerts. Next time you visit an estate sale ask the on-site workers if there is a way to get alerts via email, facebook, twitter, etc. Often times, there are numerous ways to get the heads up.
Why would you need to be alerted to the sales?
It is to your advantage to beat the crowds, when possible, if you are going to frequent these sales with the hopes of making some extra money.
Some times, if the sale is close to my work, I will go on my lunch hour. I was able to get a great chair for $12.00 when I made the lunch time trek. I love the chair and was offered money for it immediately upon purchase. It is my 'mom' chair and I still enjoy the uniqueness of it... two years later.
Something to keep in mind however, when you are one of the first visitors and that is that the prices are usually non-negotiable. The estate sale planners know that the first group of people may want a deal, but it is to their advantage to wait at least until the end of the first day.
So sign up for early notices when you can. Just keep in mind that you may end up paying the asking price. This may still be a deal and you will know it if you have done your homework and understand the value of what you want to buy.
Tag poppers unite! Tomorrow is the beginning of the season for 2014.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Selling Your Stuff
Hey Tag Poppers
Since the resale scene is on partial hiatus, it is a good time to learn other things related to popping tags. OK. In the last post I spoke of learning more about the items you are interested in buying and today I want you to try things related to selling. There are different web sites related to selling items. Craigslist, ebay and etsy all come to mind.
Take some time over the next few days and sign up for accounts on any or all of these sites. Etsy has a interesting take on selling, in that this has been a great site for folks who are creative and artists and want to sell their wares. If you like to knit hats, boots and mittens sell your items on this site. If you like to make tee shirts with interesting logos, try this site.
Craigslist and ebay are better for collectibles, however the world of the web is ever changing and always evolving so you can try and sell whatever you want and find what works for you.
Happy learning tag poppers and learn something new!!!
Since the resale scene is on partial hiatus, it is a good time to learn other things related to popping tags. OK. In the last post I spoke of learning more about the items you are interested in buying and today I want you to try things related to selling. There are different web sites related to selling items. Craigslist, ebay and etsy all come to mind.
Take some time over the next few days and sign up for accounts on any or all of these sites. Etsy has a interesting take on selling, in that this has been a great site for folks who are creative and artists and want to sell their wares. If you like to knit hats, boots and mittens sell your items on this site. If you like to make tee shirts with interesting logos, try this site.
Craigslist and ebay are better for collectibles, however the world of the web is ever changing and always evolving so you can try and sell whatever you want and find what works for you.
Happy learning tag poppers and learn something new!!!
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Informed shoppers
Hi Tag Poppers
Today is the first day of January and there aren't any sales going on. That is often the way it is during this time of year.
So, this is a good day to think about your sales journey for the new year.
As I have mentioned in previous posts, if you are just getting started in shopping resale (estate sales, garage and yard sales) it is a good idea to go in to this arena armed with some information.
Take the down time of this season to read up on the sales items you will be focusing on. Talk to people who like to second hand shop and learn, learn, learn.
The reason I say to speak with people about your items of interest is because you will often be the beneficiary of some little known, but valuable, information.
Not too long ago I was at a goodwill store and noticed some jewelry that looked like bakelite. Bakelite jewelry is colorful and plastic and very fun. It is also very collectable and comes in different colors and shapes and this past summer was a season of color for me, so it definitely caught my eye. My knowledge base for this product was rather limited, but it looked like bakelite and I considered buying them. There were about four pieces, (wristlets) and they were about five dollars a piece. I passed them up, however and on future trips continued to see the pieces. . . and then one day, they were gone. But, my curiosity had already been peaked and I began to investigate this line of jewelry.
Armed with a little internet knowledge, I found myself at an estate sale where there was some jewelry that looked similar to the pieces I had seen, but these looked cheap. A woman who was seated in the room (to answer questions (and watch for thieves)) made a comment about a piece that I was looking at. Her comments encouraged conversation and she told me more about bakelite than I had already researched. She told me a jeweler's trick to figuring out if a piece of bakelite is real. Apparently you can rub some type of oil on the bakelite and if it is real, it will grow dull for a moment and then recapture its shine. You would have to bring some of this oil with you while you are shopping and I am not sure the sellers would appreciate you rubbing anything on their wares, however, if someone is trying to sell you bakelite, and they know it is real, they probably won't care if you do the oil experiment, because it would only prove what they already know. Good information!!
So go into your sales armed with information and an idea of what you want to buy, so you can make informed purchases. Happy New Year Tag Poppers!!!
Today is the first day of January and there aren't any sales going on. That is often the way it is during this time of year.
So, this is a good day to think about your sales journey for the new year.
As I have mentioned in previous posts, if you are just getting started in shopping resale (estate sales, garage and yard sales) it is a good idea to go in to this arena armed with some information.
Take the down time of this season to read up on the sales items you will be focusing on. Talk to people who like to second hand shop and learn, learn, learn.
The reason I say to speak with people about your items of interest is because you will often be the beneficiary of some little known, but valuable, information.
Not too long ago I was at a goodwill store and noticed some jewelry that looked like bakelite. Bakelite jewelry is colorful and plastic and very fun. It is also very collectable and comes in different colors and shapes and this past summer was a season of color for me, so it definitely caught my eye. My knowledge base for this product was rather limited, but it looked like bakelite and I considered buying them. There were about four pieces, (wristlets) and they were about five dollars a piece. I passed them up, however and on future trips continued to see the pieces. . . and then one day, they were gone. But, my curiosity had already been peaked and I began to investigate this line of jewelry.
Armed with a little internet knowledge, I found myself at an estate sale where there was some jewelry that looked similar to the pieces I had seen, but these looked cheap. A woman who was seated in the room (to answer questions (and watch for thieves)) made a comment about a piece that I was looking at. Her comments encouraged conversation and she told me more about bakelite than I had already researched. She told me a jeweler's trick to figuring out if a piece of bakelite is real. Apparently you can rub some type of oil on the bakelite and if it is real, it will grow dull for a moment and then recapture its shine. You would have to bring some of this oil with you while you are shopping and I am not sure the sellers would appreciate you rubbing anything on their wares, however, if someone is trying to sell you bakelite, and they know it is real, they probably won't care if you do the oil experiment, because it would only prove what they already know. Good information!!
So go into your sales armed with information and an idea of what you want to buy, so you can make informed purchases. Happy New Year Tag Poppers!!!
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