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  1. #1
    Jeff81 is offline Uncommon
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    Default When going to thrift shops, garage sales, flea markets, how do you know what to buy?

    I had a question for those of you who go treasure hunting at flea markets, garage sales, thrift shops, antique stores and such. How do you know what's valuable and what not, what's rare and what is common?

    Like do you carry around books and rarity guides to check, or do you remember everything (probably hard to remember the value of every item) or do you know from experience, or maybe you just gamble and go with your intuition?

  2. #2
    gamescollector is offline Uncommon
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    Default

    For me its mostly experience. I have lots of experience collecting games and usually I can identify what is worth a lot and what is not.

  3. #3
    yellow9's Avatar
    yellow9 is offline Uncommon
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    Default

    If I don't know if an item is rare, i'll use my intuition . If it looks like it could be worth anything, I'll buy it. Usually in thrift shops items are cheap, so there's not much to lose but there could be much to gain.

  4. #4
    Memaws1's Avatar
    Memaws1 is offline Very Common
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    Default Treasures from Garage Sales

    Mostly I just trust my gut feelings, sometimes I am wrong but if you are at a garage sale, thrift shop or someplace like that, you usually don't have to pay a big price, so if you are wrong, no big deal.

    Sherri

    TheBonz.com Redirector

  5. #5
    Riddle's Avatar
    Riddle is offline Uncommon
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    Default

    That's true, there is less risk because you generally are paying a low price. However, if you keep buying junk then this can add up quickly

  6. #6
    Pretty Curious is offline Very Common
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    Default

    Oh yeah, those impluse thrift store buys can add up. and if ya live near me, thrift stores ain't so thrifty that you can afford to make 1 mistake.

    I buy by intuition - BUT I bring collector books to work with me, and look through them during my breaks day after day. Not to memorise stuff, but to train my eyes to focus in on the good stuff when I go out SALEing.

  7. #7
    cheesehead is offline Very Common
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    Default thrift shops

    I have noticed that smaller towns seem to have smaller prices in their thrift shops. Many items will have a special color tag and they are half off or 75 percent off. Also found that a local St. Vincent De Paul has 1.00 a bag on their certain color items on Saturdays. Usually it is mostly clothing for the bag sales.

  8. #8
    UniqueFashion's Avatar
    UniqueFashion is offline Very Common
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    Jogger Research

    Mostly experience. You need to do your home and research before shopping & buying.

  9. #9
    Brisanapage is offline Very Common
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    Post What to Buy

    When I hunt thrift stores...I am usually looking for one thing...
    I'll end up with ten...
    For instance the other day...I went for yarn....each full skein was 0.50...i took all three
    but...i also found a Prada purse...vintage and lined and tagged prada for $3.00!!!!
    Then there was a beautiful homer laughlin piece...(I collect it) but passed because...it did not GO with my current collection!
    Then...all winter coats were $2...I got 3...
    So...My original $1.50 purchase ended up being like $50
    That was not hard to add up at all...
    Worth it ....yes
    Should I spend THAT much .....
    That's the eternal question

  10. #10
    yalldrawl is offline Very Common
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    Default

    When I go I am uaually looking for vintage dolls or clothing, so I am pretty selective. These items can take up lots of room so I have to pick and choose.

  11. #11
    frstyfrolk's Avatar
    frstyfrolk is offline Very Common
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    Flower Re: When going to thrift shops, garage sales, flea markets, how do you know what to b

    [QUOTE=Jeff81;1637]I had a question for those of you who go treasure hunting at flea markets, garage sales, thrift shops, antique stores and such. How do you know what's valuable and what not, what's rare and what is common?


    The unknown is what is fun for me in shopping. I never KNOW What I will find!
    They turn inventory so fast and these sites don't sell one particular thing, usually just whatever has been donated.

    THe HUNT is the FIND and if I think it will resell for alittle more; trouble is I am not good at knowing what someone else will like so I usually buy what I would love to have but do not have room for. Or, An Item in perfect condition, just to share it with someone who can't shop at that particular time or place.

    My Motto is " Maybe I can shop, when you can't"

    Smiles, Cyndi

  12. #12
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    Default Re: When going to thrift shops, garage sales, flea markets, how do you know what to b

    I agree that it is an experience thing and after awhile you can spot something a mile away,, but quality and condition should be very important to your decision. Buying anything and everything can quickly overtake a household! I buy what I personally like, then I never feel like I am 'stuck' with something.

    Enchantments For You - enchantments-for-you's Bonanzle booth - Everett

  13. #13
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    junkmountain is offline Very Common
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    Default Re: When going to thrift shops, garage sales, flea markets, how do you know what to b

    I guess it depends of what your looking for. If its something like games you might create a little list of what's valuable and what to look out for. For all things in general I might not be the best person for advice...look at my name. I say if you can live with it for a while and it has value to you then it most likely will to someone else.

  14. #14
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    Ladybug Re: When going to thrift shops, garage sales, flea markets, how do you know what to b

    Also look for items you don't see all of the time, again experience is key but you can tell old from new and what might appear unusual. There is no magic formula. I have taken chances on items before and some have really bombed but others have shocked the heck out of me on what they did return.

    Enchantments For You - enchantments-for-you's Bonanzle booth - Everett

 

 

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