Pre easter Sale

We had a one week sale at the antique mall, and I thought this is great-- get rid of some old merc and maybe a piece of furniture! No such luck. All that sold was small items that were newly put out. Understandably not everyday was good weather to hit the roads, but I had big hopes for this sale.
People appear to buy usable items not just decorative. At least purchases are made and hopefully I won't have to fork over cash for rent, but a profit must come thru soon.
Ebay still appears to have less stuff for sale, and must be new sellers who are starting things at astronomical prices. It is an auction, you must generate some interest by starting low. If you can't afford to part with it low, put in a reserve, but once again make it realistic. Times are tough and someone is not going to blow a lot of money based on a few photos.
I hear some pickers are using the ebay drop shops to sell larger items and pocket the profit rather than lugging them further down/up the food chain to shop owners and other dealers.
The auction paper gets thinner each week. Of course many people can't afford to move with this economy so some sales are gone.
I want to look for items from the '50's or 60's to offer in the booth. Any suggestions of what to start searching? I don't want complete dinner china sets or clothing--
is teak danish modern obtainable? what about BBQ items such

as trays or aprons? What would be appropriate for early 1960's. That time seems a blur to me. I remember looking thru Better Homes and Gardens magazines and wishing we had a house or things they showed, I just no longer remember what those things were!
I remember licking all those yellow Top Value trading stamps to get enough for a card table and chairs. It was good quality and my parents used it quite often. I still have the table now recovered and 2 of the chairs that are god awful uncomfortable!
Would travel souvenirs form family vacations be saleable--pennants, tablecloths,--I think the tomahawks, tom toms etc would go well.
All suggestions are welcome.

Beware the Ides of March!

Why should we worry? After all Alfred E Newman was famous (wasn't he) for What me worry?





From Wikipedia...


"The Ides of March (Latin: Idus Martias) is the name of the date 15 March in the Roman calendar. The term ides was used for the 15th day of the months of March, May, July, and October, and the 13th day of the other eight months.[1] In Roman times, the Ides of March was a festive day dedicated to the god Mars and a military parade was usually held. In modern times, the term Ides of March is best known as the date that Julius Caesar was assassinated, in 44 BC, the story of which was famously dramatized in William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar.[2] "

....from FullMoon Graphics

We may want to look out for these little guys, beware the green beer too!

Can't really say if we started March like a lion--no violent weather the first few days, neither did we have warm springlike weather. More of the same old cold, a few flurries or showers, no great wind sweeping clean. I just hope we go out like a lamb with warm weather and sunshine to welcome April.


Just looked at the new ad "catalog" from Pier I. They must have been inspired by shabby chic and visits to antiques malls. It even tempted me to go out and spend! They had benches, shelves and of course wicker. Their cute tableware and oddities whet the appetite. Too bad some people think spanking new is better. I've seen better prices at the antiques booths to get the same look!
Some of the churches are beginning their rummage sales--always worth a look for a great bargain! I seldom see much priced over a $1.00. This weekend there are 2 estate sales nearby.



I'm itching for the yard/garage sales and trying to plan visits to various antiques extravaganzas and "markets". Aberfoyle Ontario caught my eye. It's just N of 401 and south of Guelph--anyone been there? I have a friend with a passport who likes casinos so I may be able to entice market attendance with a casino stop in Windsor or Niagara Falls.


Kane County markets look good. How are the prices? Several years ago I visited Wheaton at the Dupage Fairgrounds and saw lots of good deals.


Louisville use to have a big show or market? Do they still?


Then there's Brimfield--I have never been, though I stopped in some malls nearby and prices were rather high!


World's Longest Garage Sale had been good in past--haven't been in 5 years and that was just to experience it. Now I would be buying! It's a tight scheduling fit with my long term employment. Any thought on the Northern end versus the Southern?


Other experiences that might yield good stock?

Clear roads =more travel?

Almost a week of clear roads but sales did not increase on those days people could get out. Maybe end of the month equals end of the money. Our dealer day on Sunday was packed as everyone was freshening up booths. My result --one sale of a decorative easter rabbit!
One guy was talking about a friend who had been in another mall since 1992 or 93 and just moved out because sales were so poor. Others commented on the placement of showcases at that mall being out of the way. I thought their placement of showcases was good as no steps and a nice low slope ramp to get there. I know a couple who have a showcase and they had good sales through Dec. Their specialty is Holiday items.
I wanted to get into a showcase at that mall to feature some smalls, but with other sales down and the deposit and 1st month rent I was leery of taking on more commitment. Maybe just as well right now.
eBay wasn't too bad for February as I got rid of some weird smalls and some books I had sitting around. These increasing postal rates are hurting. I had to offer free shipping to get some items to move and then take a loss on what had been my purchase price. But it is slowly weeding out old stock. Got to generate some income to buy new stock.
Has anyone been to Renninger's in Pennsylvania? I was thinking of going the end of April to the big weekend. This would be a road trip with 2 nights motel stays. Are the prices good enough to get a bundle of fresh stock?

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.

Super Sunday

Will it be a super sunday with plenty of bowl parties and large screen tvs.
If you believe Walmart all the goodies can be had at next to nothing. Of course if you've lost your home and or job recently nothing is affordable.

Are we spending to save the economy or saving what money we might have in order to survive this recession/depression? Yes new figures are out on the largest decline in home sales in 26 years, and more unemployment than we have seen since the 1980's. So who feels safe to go out and buy a refrigerator when the one is still working. Bad enough we have to spend more just to get "free" tv--though I heard a news comment that the DTV has been set back to June since over 6 million households are not ready for the move! As if people not being ready ever stopped industry or government.

On another topic--has anyone sensed or seen a decline of good items up for sale on ebay?
I've done some searching recently on favorite items and the hit list just gets shorter. Are people selling elsewhere because of the recent changes? Where can one get as large an audience? I've looked at Rubylane but you need to keep a good number of items up and refresh those regularily just like a booth at the mall.
I try to use ebay to sell items too small to be safe in an unmanned booth or maybe of a slightly lower quality than would put in the booth. Some of those odd items in the box lot I got because it had 2 good items for the booth. Selling on ebay hasn't been too bad for me--more of a time issue to get more items photographed and posted.

Im ready for the end of 2008

Finally this year is ending. The banks got their bailout with few strings attached, the Big 3 got a bridge loan with too many strings. Our roads can't get plowed because there is a deficit in the cash flow for that area because part of car sale taxes went into that coffer. We are totally caught in a Catch 22. Economists keep revising outlook for when the economy will swing up, maybe the new administration will sweep in with a positive change and people will feel optimistic. Of course if you can't get approved by the financial market for a car or home loan we will simply sit. Why in the world would GMAC get bank status when then are an arm of General Motors? Those sharks aren't even approving loans for GM cars!
I'm tired of the upbeat christmas card letters of all the wonderful things people and their families are doing. I thought about writing one about job losses, closing stores, cancellations of internet service, doing away with land phone lines since they have a cell, health issues, medical bills and people tapping into retirement savings to catch up on bills. Now I'm hearing of people who have received a letter from the credit card companies raising their interest rates, on top of increases in late payment fees etc. no wonder it is more of a bah humbug year than Happy Holidays!
On the brighter side having a 25% sale at the antique booth has increased sales tremendously. Thanks to the mall owners for allowing a sale in December.
eBay has been a good venue this year for increasing profits over last and overall a better profit for the antiques and collectible "business". People are buying the odd items not the traditional flow blue or transferware pieces. A Quinella Bet sign from a race track sold while a beautiful cut lead glass 1850's decanter awaits a good home. Variety is the spice of life.

Auto companies and our economy

After watching the hearings and reading some economists forecasts I wonder where these experts live. The average Jane knows what it's like to cutback on expenses and see neighbors, family and friends lose jobs and not find new jobs. Gee we are in a recession because the experts have revised their predictions! What a load of crap.
The economy has been getting worse these past 2 years and it's not just oil and China! Our whole way of life has finally caught up with us and predictions that were made back in the 1970's are seeing the light of day.
Great book --China Inc --will open eyes.
I hope Congress can see past their noses and give the Big Three loans to keep business moving. Yes they can certainly cutback on production, models and top execs, rank and file could take some concessions.
If the Big 3 close the ripple effect will be another GREAT DEPRESSION!

Even with the Iraq war we did not see any benefit to economy as WWII brought to the end of the depression. These are different times.
So many suppliers from tool and die, wheel rim makers, tire manufacturers, and all those other parts that make up our vehicles will be dead in the water.

I believe people do like their larger size vehicles and will buy American but there has to jobs and loan money out there to be able to afford it. It's not that we don't trust the auto companies it's that we don't have the money to buy another or replace a current vehicle!

The media must be having a field day with this they can fill the airways with 24/7 speculation.