One of our favorite magazines is "Secondhand TREASURES". It is chopped full of useful information and tips from junk "pickers".
Lets begin with some of our tips we use while junking.
*cash in small bills (don't let the seller know you may have a wad of $20s)
*keep a blanket/towels/plastic grocery bags & wet wipes in your car
*dress for comfort
*journal or notepad
*clear mind for negotiation
As some of the top experts will tell you- negotiation skills are beneficial for any treasure hunter- it becomes a game one you can win!
And always finish what you start~ don't begin negotiation if you are truly not interested in the sale item.
Go early! Folks who get there early at a sale sometimes get first pick at the prized stuff! Especially at flea markets where vendors tend to set up super early.
A little lesson learned.
At a recent estate sale, there was a dress form that went on the auction block.......(one particular gypsy tends to think she is the auction queen) however this time the gypsy lost out. The dress form started high- $150 - and ended low.....so low the gypsy should have bid $5 more and bam!, the dress form went for a cRaZy $35. Crack an egg on her egg I say!
There are a few online guides for auctions:
antiquetrader.com
beckett.com
kovels.com
liveauctioneers.com
vintagecardprices.com
worthpoint.com
Can't say enough about the Brooklyn Flea. Every weekend of the year, New York's key attraction- it happens outdoors from April - Thanksgiving and moves indoors for the winter season.
Please be careful with Craigslist. We've know many who used Craigslist for purchasing really nice pieces of furniture to later shabby and create even a nicer piece of furniture- but we also have known people to get ripped off, finding later the ad was a scam. Never send the seller a personal check- and always be sure the seller is local. Go with someone to pick up your item(s)......and never pay fees upfront. *This is not a Craigslist bashing...... like any online purchase- use with caution.
Go to estatesales.net for estate sales in your area!
Did you know that placing a dryer sheet in between old postcard photos- it will draw out the moister as well as any "aged smell". Place the dryer sheet in between each postcard/photo..... seal in a zip lock baggy- about a week. Takes care of that mildew basement odor we tend to find when purchasing these vintage lovelies*
Vintage white linens clean up nicely when you soak them in 4 gallons of warm water- and 1 1/4 cups of white vinegar. Soak for about 3 hours- rinse with cool water then hand wash in Woolite.
Until next time~
With love&joy in everything vintage~
Simple Dimple & Rose Cottage
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