posted on December 16, 2000 01:52:25 PM
I am going to start digging around in thrift stores and "antique" shops for stuff to sell on ebay I think. But I don't really know what kind of stuff to pick up.
posted on December 16, 2000 05:07:01 PM
I buy things I like so if I can't sell them I don't mind keeping them. Sometimes I could sell them but I really, really like them and keep them anyway. I'm thinking of buying a bigger house for all this stuff.
On the serious side, Dman is right, sell what you know. I've seen a lot of things for sale that the sellers have overpriced and identified wrong. You can lose a lot of money by not doing your homework.
posted on December 16, 2000 05:36:36 PM
Ebay is already loaded up with people that troll the thrift stores to find items that the staff was naive enough to not know the true value of. It is sad that someone would walk into a place that was setup, funded, and supported by people that were kind and generous enough to help others less fortunate only to exploit the ignorance of the volunteers that make this special place possible.
Thrift stores are for the benefit of two different groups of people. Those who benefit from the funds available from the profits they produce, and those who are able to shop there that might otherwise not be able to afford clothing and goods for themselves and their children.
Next time you are in a thrift store, look at some of the people in the aisles that are shopping with their children. Look in their eyes. These are the people the store is there to benefit. Not you.
So maybe a single mother with 3 children to support will be wearing a $50 blouse from Macys tomorrow and feel good about herself. Or maybe a man will be able to wear a $600 Evan Picone suit (that I donated and never wore) to a job interview. (many years ago I wore a suit to a job interview that I bought in a thrift shop because it was all I could afford)
How can someone take these simple things away from these people just to make a lousy couple dollars. If this is how you intend to build your Ebay business, you are bound to fail because all that is good in this world will be working against you.
Find a way to make a profit on things that don't rely on exploiting the ingnorance of other people. Find a product that you can buy and sell that affords a reasonable profit for you and the person you buy it from. Make sure that you offer top-notch customer service and take care of your customers. When you make enough profits to take care or yourself and your family, share some of it with others less fortunate and help make the world a better place.
Thrift shops are for those in need. If you are making money on Ebay, give to them so others can benefit.
posted on December 16, 2000 05:48:33 PM
You need to spend a lot of time going through ebay auctions and seeing what is getting good prices. I don't think antique stores and thrift shops are a particular good place to start buying though. The prices in antique shops are going to be high, so you need to have specialist knowledge to buy successfully and both antique shops and thrift shops are going to be well picked over for any bargains. I suggest garage sales, rummage sales, out of the way auctions as the places which both have fresh mercandise and the possibility of good bargains.The early bird gets the worm so start early.
posted on December 16, 2000 05:52:08 PM
Wow, MrJim, isn't it hard to breath up there?
The thrift shops in my area have way more than they can ever sell. Clothing especially fills the racks, and overflows. My picking up an old piece of glassware or pottery that may have survived being pitched in the dumpster doesn't deprive a "mom with 3 kids" of anything.
posted on December 16, 2000 05:53:43 PM
I very rarely offer any of my own opinions on these things, but the sermon about why you shouldn't go try to find deals at thrift stores really made me laugh out loud. Excuse me preacher, but why do you think these stores were set up in the first place? They are there to MAKE MONEY for the charity. That is their sole purpose. It isn't to give someone a good deal. THAT is just a dividend of the entire process. These charities do need your money, and that is why the store is there in the first place. To the original writer. DO NOT feel bad about trying to find a few deals at these stores. In case the preacher forgot-THIS IS AMERICA! A land that was fought hard for, and remains (for the most part) free! Free to go down to the thrift store and shop until you drop if you so choose. The socialist retoric that was just spewed here would have everyone getting "Thrift Store Tickets", and only to those who qualify etc.
Here's your sign. If you have money YOU QUALIFY! And that is just how the thrift store wants it. They thrive on peoples hope that they will find a treasure at the store.
On a lighter note, thrift stores are not the best place to shop anymore. That's yesterdays news. You have to find something that you love and learn all you can about it.
My love is vintage guitars. I know alot about them. Two years ago, I sold one for $11,000. cash on eBay. If I hadn't known what I was looking at, I wouldn't have got it in the first place. If the only reason you want to go on eBay is to make a fortune, forget it!You have to love what you do, and rummaging throuhg old houses etc. has to be a real turn-on for you. If it's not, try another selling avenue. Perhaps re-selling new items or something. There is an old saying that still rings true "Do what you love and the money will follow."
It is good advice.
For the preacher. Don't share with the charities that you preached about NOT going to their stores etc. You might get beat up by a bell ringer dressed in red. Just kidding.
posted on December 16, 2000 06:11:08 PM
Yep, I got into selling on ebay because I love estate sales and auctions. I have very seldom been in a thrift store but I doubt the stuff I looked at would have been much use to a working mother or a guy looking for a job. Get the stuff wherever you can, and good luck.
Not too much ignorance in the Thrift Shops nowadays. LOL
Go to Sally's and see their "Collectibles". They price a lot of them with a price guide. I see Roseville marked 150.00 (I could get maybe 75.00 in the real world) and things like that.
No, when I find a deal at one (and it's not all that often) I feel good about it.
Actually the air up here is quite nice. Come on up and try it.
Evan:
My point is, Thrift Stores are for successful business people to support and donate to. Not a source for merchandise to profit from. If you see this as a Socialist concept rather than a humanitarian one, then so be it. I do agree with you that you must deal in a product that you have a passion and interest in to be successful, which I do. I just don't understand the interest and passion that can be had in rushing to the thrift store to buy up all the good stuff before the poor people get it.
twelvepole:
I thrive on competition. It keeps me on edge, and always looking ahead for new opportunities. The people shopping the thrift stores might be concerned about competition, but I guess they will have to start getting up earlier in the morning.
Thrift stores are for anyone, not just those in need. Some thrift stores are privately owned, and exist just for the profit of the owner. I disagree with you that those who shop there for re-sale are exploiting anything.
With the Salvation Army, and Goodwill, the money from the sale of the items that are donated is what goes to help those in need. The more people that shop there, no matter what the motive, the more money there is to assist those who need it. I shop at the Salvation Army all the time. Sometimes to re-sell, sometimes for the family. I have gotten great deals there for furniture and other expensive items. My daughter now has a great older wood bed with drawers that I was able to paint and stencil and she adores. My son has a spectacular dresser that I was able to re-furbish. The Salvation Army I go to is thrilled when I come in and buy stacks of clothing. Yes, I re-sell them at consignment sales. Everyone is happy, I can make some extra money for my family, and the Salvation Army gets to sell a lot of clothes that would otherwise be shipped overseas.
I don't think that I should not shop there, just because I would not be considered "needy". Nor am I upper class. I feel that the more money that goes in, the better.
When things are not sold at the Salvation Army, they are boxed up and sent overseas. So, many of the items you donate to help people here, don't even stay here. Many states have regular Salvation Army auctions, where goods are sold in lots. Many of the people you feel the store benefits by offering lower priced goods cannot afford to buy in lots.
Next time you see a Salvation Army, take a look at the cars in the lot. Many times you will see Jaguars, Caddys and other very expensive cars. It is not just the needy shopping there. Many that shop there do so because of the great deals that can be found, and THAT allows more money to be available for the great programs the Salvation Army sponsors.
posted on December 16, 2000 06:24:12 PM
Mr. Jim,
Thanks for your comments. Just a quick question. A few a years ago, a man saw an original print worth a couple hundred thousand in a thrift store. It was priced at $15. Here's the ethical question of the day.
Would you have bought it, or let a poor person have it that wanted to hang it on their wall? Just thought I'd test you.
Hehe.
I've never sold anything remotely related to anything you would ever find at a thrift shop, and I am certainly not an expert on them.
But I think you are way off base.
I certainly advocate giving to charity, but charity and business are two very different things (at least in terms of financial incentives.)
What you are suggesting is just bad economics. It doesn't work in the real world.
By your logic, I should never buy anything that's on sale, because I can afford to pay full price. I should let those in need take advantage of the sale prices.
I should pay what I can afford, right?
From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.
I would have taken it to the manager to explain what they had. I would have then offered my services (at no charge) to place it for sale in a venue that would realize a fair revenue for them. In the event that the personel on duty were either disbelieving or uncooperative, I would have purchased it and contacted the regional office to resolve the situation and insure that someone did not come along and buy it to sell on Ebay. My profit would be the way I felt at the end of the day.
posted on December 16, 2000 06:51:44 PM
amalgamated2000:
Not at all. Buying items on sale has nothing to do with buying at a thrift store for twenty-five cents to sell on Ebay for twenty-five dollars.
As for buying items for yourself, yes, they need all the business they can get. But if someone can't see anything wrong with racing the poor people to the thrift store to scoop up all the good stuff to sell on Ebay...then we sure made a mess of this world. I sure thought there were other decent people out there. I guess not.
posted on December 16, 2000 07:00:38 PM
I don't imagine that those "poor" people set out to go to the local thrift store in hopes they would find some Federal glass sherbet dishes, or some Hall coffee mugs.
The types of things a truly needy family is looking for are always in abundance at the 4 Goodwills in my town. Clothing, coats, kitchenware, shoes, etc., there is never a lack of any of those items. Poor families in my town are also given Tickets or Due Bills depending on their family size that they can use on items in the Goodwills.
My buying a few collectables or glassware does give profit or donation to the charity. They have recently opened two new shops, which gives jobs to more workers as well.
Buying from a thrift shop is not the same thing as taking advantage of an elderly woman having a garage sale.
posted on December 16, 2000 07:08:46 PMBuying items on sale has nothing to do with buying at a thrift store for twenty-five cents to sell on Ebay for twenty-five dollars.
Oh really? How, exactly, are they different? The nature of the items? The expected profit potential? I think that any example you can give of an item that "shouldn't" be bought from the poor thrift stores, plenty of people can give you a comparable example at a regular retail store.
In fact, you mention a $50 blouse from Macy's. What if I'm at Macy's and I see a $50 blouse on sale for $5 -- the price I might pay at a thrift shop. Should I pass it up so someone more deserving can buy it?
posted on December 16, 2000 07:18:05 PM
MrJim Is partally Right its good to leave some of the nice lower priced clothing for less fortunate for sure.
On the other side of the coin these trift stores need to make $$$$ They use this money to pay bills rent light also they use this cash to support other programs and service the church or organization they belong to has running as well.
its like I said I some time get Item from local church thrift stores infact I am invited to come buy Things when I find Items I think might sell I buy it to list on MY auctions.
My purchases have helped send less fortunate childern to summer camp their parents would never have been able to pay for, also suported many other yuoth activitys for the church and Holiday dinners for the edlerly and so on.
Many times if Item dont sell I donate these Items back and they resell them they get paid twice for these Items.
Also no matter the reason you buy from these thrift stores many many times they are more then greatfull as it gives them room for new Item so there stores dont look like they never change they alway Have Room on rack and shelves for new goods.
I can guarantee you that if you donated that $600 suit to any of the thrift stores in my part of the world, it never got anywhere near the type of person you intended it for, and most likely never even made it to the sales floor.
The employees, who are not volunteers by the way, take it for themselves or have financial agreements with certain "dealers."
Calls for whole house donations are often diverted to cohorts.
I donate NOTHING to the Goodwill or Salvation Army. They have no interest in providing for those in need, only for making the ultimate profit, or funding the programs that will give them publicity. I donate directly or things such as business suits to a professional organization, giving committee that gives them to those going on job interviews etc. I work with the economically disadvantaged, and those with disabilities and I know just exactly how uninterested they are. One Christmas we wanted to provide artifical Christmas trees for clients who couldn't afford them. The SA had oodles at high prices and gave us such a runaround, in the end they wouldn't even give vouchers.
Vouchers are a joke, they are minimal and enable someone to buy or get only the absolute junk. Anything halfway decent is priced way beyond that. If I were comparison shopping I could get better prices on new sale merchandise at the best department stores than what they ask.
They put out tons of chipped, broken merchandise at "collectible prices". The savvy dealers, or even the average aware consumer knows these things are not a bargain and stays away; but a number of my clients have emotional disabilities or intellectual deficits and they spend their dollars on this crap.
The thrifts have gotten so far beyond it, they have signs telling you what they won't accept anymore and it is such a long list, including so many items that are needed by those they are supposed to help, it makes me ill. Truthfully all they want are your cars, boats and fine antiques.
Before you donate, make sure it is going to get to the people you intend it to go to. Check your local church groups, service agencies, and professional organizations that promote charities. If you want to maitain your ideals and spirit of giving, which I admire, don't donate it to be sold.
posted on December 16, 2000 08:49:17 PM
In our town there is a charity "The Clothes Closet" that collects all the clothing items and household goods that the Salvation Army and others in town collect but they do not sell anything. They only give items to people who have been seny by various churchs and social agencies.
If Goodwill or the Salvation Army wished to they could do the same thing but they want to raise cash.
Perhaps you should support organizations like
this Mr. Jim that reflect your view better than the ones who wish to raise cash. It is really the organizations that choose to sell to anyone who walks in. If they have an open door policy you really can't blame people for doing what they want them to do. Others do exist that follow your way of thinking much closer.
posted on December 16, 2000 11:27:44 PM
Mr. Jim et al:
I just thought I'd throw my two cents in. I'm a new mom and I stay at home with my baby so my family is now on one income. We are not poor, but we have an extremely tight budget. eBay sales that I make, in part from things purchased at SA or Goodwill, help keep me home and pay for my health insurance. Perhaps others may not think so, but I think that "needy" is relative. Should I just buy enough so I can pay my insurance, or maybe enough to buy my son some new clothes too? How about enough to make a fancy meal every once in a while? What if I make so much that it matches my former salary? Or exceeds it? Should "needy" families stop buying when it benefits them *too* much? Does my making this money allow me to be generous in other philanthropic endeavors? Things to think about...
