Spring sprang! Now it's napping

Feb was so-so in the booth and March was downright dismal. Forget beware the ides of march--just beware!

April has started strong with a 25% off sale and rent plus has been made.

Only small items sold--but they add up quickly. I need to get out and purchase low price stock so I can get a 3x or 4x return. This weekend has promise--one auction and a dozen garage sales/estate sales to visits.

I know sales have been down for many but what are the larger ticket items that sell? There is no rhyme or reason on the smalls. Seems like any vintage camera or globe sells eventually but most other items it's hit or miss. If there's a booth sale things go that sat last month collecting dust. I try to rotate out every 3 months.

Looking forward to retirement when I can take this on full time to hit more sales and auctions and perhaps work on framing items and creating themed displays with more stock rotation. Still want a 2nd booth in a 2nd location to rotate between but time is a problem now. Are malls off expressway exits best or a booth in smaller shop in a small city where there several shops?

EBay has gone flat--those shipping costs eat into profit too much if offer free shipping (as part of initial pricing) or once packaged and distance adds up. The 1 box 1 price doesn't work well for the variety of shapes and sizes. What about dolls--what really sells a particular brand--or age-- or composition? So many out there and the last few auctions have had large collections. I never liked dolls and wouldn't have any affection to "KEEP" one but the jaded attitude doesn't help when looking at them to know what will sell at a profit. Seems it's mostly collectors bidding.

Hearts and flowers

Now that the florists have increased prices for roses especially and other bouquets, too bad antiques malls can't have a time to artificially raise prices!
Over the weekend I visited 2 malls in Indiana. One was just outside of Indianapolis off s 65 and I can't remember the name. Nice multidealer shop with lots of different merchandise.--Oh yeah It was Southport. Nice people and most of it was easily accessible if one had a walker or wheelchair.
Attempted to visit Knighstown--after seeing all the advertisements and hearing them mentioned, unfortunately they are closed until weekend of Feb 28/Mar 1. this was a bummer as we maneuvered through town pulling a boat.
Then stopped at Webb's in Centreville off I-70 the billboards told the story of the market--1st sign over 500 dealers, next sign over 400 dealers within a matter of a few miles. Once there I'd say it may even be fewer that 400. Once again big ads that didn't live up to hype. All on 1 floor, lots of empty spots and water dripping so many places at one point I thought I was outside listening to a running brook! Good parking, great people! Some booths had deals though.
Almost partway through month and only half way to rent. Blast it!
Weather just has not cooperated this season, too cold, too snowy, too icy, too foggy!
I need to find better stock or I don't know what else. I move items around, i remove items and bring in fresh. I change prices, we tried a sale for January--not much results. Yes overall the traffic is down so shouldn't complain, but I want this to be a going profitable venture for a nearing retirement. How can one gross $1000 a month, I'm trying to start low to cover all expenses and take a profit monthly. I want to supplement future income at the very least. I try eBay but those shipping costs are getting too high for larger items! Come a nice warm April or May weekend a grand yard sale will be held. Even at yard sale we seldom make more than $300.
My thinking cap is on and I'm open to tips.

Surgery and antiques/collectibles sales

Surgery was postponed for a week, finally done and now in the long slow process of recovery. Sales have been in slow mode--SLUMP for this month. I did make it to the antiques mall twice to re-stock but those back to school expenses and high gas prices have hurt. E-Bay was ok for thr items I listed though not much time to be running to the post office. I managed to hit some yard/estate sales on way to hospital before visiting hours started. At least I got some bargains to take up for September.

Found this great illustration at www.oldbookillustrations.com and the use is free!

Surf to save gas

Just surfing this afternoon and came upon an interesting site on antiques with a British perspective. Check out: http://www.writeantiques.com/why-not-start-to-collect-20th-century-ceramics/ and expand your possibilities.

I also tried antiques at Google Images and found great photos and many new shops.Take some time and explore the web--it saves gas and the environment. Once you've sussed out the treasures, hop in the car for a productive roadtrip. I just love roadtrips, side trips, detours and getting lost!
Just visit our road trip blog at roadamigos.blogspot.com

Springfield extravaganza

Travelled down to Springfield Ohio for the extravaganza flea market at the Clark County fairgrounds. Admission now $5.00 for entry after Noon.


Lots of outdoor vendors even with soaking wet sites. Crowd seemed reduced from last year but people seemed to be buying. I found a great piece of "folk" art-- a copper mushroom design about 12" by 24" backed with wood and nicely framed for a mere $3.00 it's a nice vintage 1960's piece--perhaps mystical mushrooms!


Plants and garden pots and iron decor were a big item with lots of people at each booth. Seating whether just chairs, wicker or a row of wooden "theater" seats were packed into SUVs, pickups and tied to the roofs of vans.

Most interesting pieces I saw were made of license plates nailed to wood and cut into the shape of a state, or small pieces such as LOVE made with narrow strips of 1 letter from different license plates!

Please visit your local antique malls and flea markets to keep the economy moving. Every purchase no matter how small helps keep a family afloat!

Road Trip Plans

My California road trip is scheduled for the last 2 weeks of April. Driving from chicago area to denver, down to santa Fe across to Az and Grand Canyon then up to Vegas and finally across to
Monterey CA. Any pros and cons about driving I-80, I-70 or the northern route?
What are some great free or low cost sites to visits? Any great diners or BBQ?
Most important ANTIQUE Malls or multi-dealer shops that are a must stop for great variety?
May try to drive a few remaining parts of Route 66
Any advice would be appreciated so I can plan for a variety or routes, stops or side diversions.
We're trying this on nearly a shoestring realizing gas will be a fortune but it has been a lifelong dream to drive across country. I've been south and east and now head West. Who knows maybe Alaska can be another long trip for retirement!

June sales looking up.

Sales at the mall booth are growing, despite road construction any way you turn. Just how much more expensive is it to repair roads in the winter? Maybe that asphalt or concrete would last better than the summer repairs. At least most spots the crews are out working and if drivers would really give the workers a brake and slow down we could all breathe easier. I hate the tailgater on these roads where you quickly switch back and forth with only a few inches on either side of the vehicle.Of course travel is more comfortable than dirt, dust and walking

Though a ride on the water in one of these would be a delight on a hot day.

And modern day nikes are certainly more comfortable than

Garage sales slump

Last weekend I hit 9 garage sales and drove past 6 more. Pickings were slim. Lots of toddler toys, good if you're a grandparent I guess, clothes and tons of items from Bed Bath, Pier One Target etc. People buy way too much home decor items. One could buy a year supply of candles and candle holders at these sales. The few good items were priced too high!
Sunday was an auction and then learned they are moving to a new location about 40 minutes away. Bought a nice pair of handmade cast iron chairs in a possibly arts and crafts/Asian design. I recovered the seats ASAP and these will go up to booth on next trip.
The staple gun and a square a fabric about fills out my skills of fixing up.
Just learned of a fabric "warehouse" so I'll try to hit there this coming weekend. Working a full time day job, cuts in on going full tilt in this business.

Sales so far

The only good thing in the past days has been the weather, two great warm days unexpected in March. Broke a record from 1976 with high of 80. Of course these two days had to be the start of the work week.
Had a free of work weekend and attended 2 auctions. I was so tired both days that I didn't stay long as I was almost falling asleep on Friday night, and Saturday afternoon's had the items I was interested in up early. Seemed like a waste of time, as combined I spent less time at 2 than I normally do at 1 auction. Slim picking now through Easter Sunday.
Yard sale weather almost here and I hope to find some saleable items. I have sold enough merchandise to cover rent and close to what I have spent on new items this month, with 4 more possible days of sales.
What is needed to push sales to a level of $1000 a month? High end pieces with substantial prices? Items in the $50 to $125 range or attractive eye catchers in the under $25 range and focus on quantity?

Half way into the 1st Month

Half way through the month and I have covered rent but nothing has sold since Sunday. I don't know if it's because traffic is down during the week days. I'll have to start a tracking of sales by day.
Will return to mall on Monday to straighten and freshen.
Hopefully today-Sat, and Sunday will generate a sale or two. Have to work at real job this weekend so I'm excited to get back to the "mall".
More excited to get to an auction next weekend.
How long is good enough to judge if this is a go? Should it be kept running in order to take a loss for tax purposes?
I now have a list of what I want to be when I retire just in case antiques dealer doesn't cut it.
--floor person at an auction, auctioneer with training, floor person at antiques mall. estate sale assistant or coordinator, bagger at grocery store
I'm open for other suggestions.