Storage Auctions

The Storage Locker => The Lounge => Topic started by: Alias on April 13, 2012, 10:49:28 PM

Title: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: Alias on April 13, 2012, 10:49:28 PM
Hit VV right as new stock was coming out.

Best find was a Kenneth Cole Reaction wool over coat for $20. Tried on and original tag was still attached to sleeve for $625!  Will hold it for 6 months and decide if I want to be warm and fashionable or make a few bucks.

Also found a 1/8oz-5lb postal scale for $2.99.

An average style phone stand with leather inlay top for $5.99. Have some brass fittings I'm going to replace the faux brass with, clean it up and CL it for $20.
It looks like a 50's style piece but think it's newer. But all fitted together, no screws.
If I can figure out the age I'll adjust price.

Got a few nice looking watches for $2/ea. Girl at flea market is always looking for watches and so will use those to do a little bartering.

Same goes for copper pans I got for a total of $12.
Booth down from watch girl liked those and hope to trade for more of his antique furniture hardware.

With voucher I had for donation it all came to $22.87. 
Nothing that's going to make me much but will break even at minimum plus get some supplies for future endeavors....,

I was just happy to get out and get some action going no matter how small.
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: Cheesehead on April 13, 2012, 11:01:57 PM
Nice score - looks like you're not "outta stuff" now!   ;)  

Good luck!
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: Alias on April 13, 2012, 11:45:07 PM

Yeah, roll'n in inventory!  A $20 phone stand and a winter coat that should sell o'so fast this time of year! lol

I'm really scratching my head on getting something going. Just the two hours out today killed me pain wise. Auctions are out. No way I can empty one.
Craiglstauction was gracious enough to offer up some broken phones to practice fixing, unlocking....
Got the rocks and crystals in Alaska thing but, again, bit to physical to do much with them so stock piling choice stuff and sell off rough stuff.
Couple other things in works but nothing to brag about.

Thinking of heading down to Dallas for a few weeks and doing some picking. That stuff sold well up here in the NW last time.
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: MatchesMalone on April 14, 2012, 02:11:32 AM
I'm just trying to imagine you trying on that coat with an immobilized arm!! (great find, btw!)

Even normal activities seem like a trial.

Hang in there, brother!!
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: money4nothing on April 14, 2012, 06:06:51 AM
I'm just trying to imagine you trying on that coat with an immobilized arm!! (great find, btw!)


Yes that would have been a sight.  ;)

Glad you got out. I would go crazy with the limited movement.

Sounds like you hit a few scores to keep you occupied.

As Matches said hang in there.
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: Alias on April 14, 2012, 09:10:16 AM
lol

Thanks.
Glad I can at least amuse you all with my antics.     ;D
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: MatchesMalone on April 14, 2012, 04:26:41 PM
lol

Thanks.
Glad I can at least amuse you all with my antics.     ;D

Unlike money, I wasn't thinking about the entertainment value, but I suppose we all know how mean she can get.  :P
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: money4nothing on April 14, 2012, 05:02:48 PM
Unlike money, I wasn't thinking about the entertainment value, but I suppose we all know how mean she can get.  :P

Hey now.......


I almost fell out of my chair laughing on that one, could have become a one arm bandit myself.  ;D
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: MatchesMalone on April 14, 2012, 08:20:19 PM
Happy to give you a chuckle, money.   :)
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: Alias on April 22, 2012, 11:29:46 AM
Yesterdays picks were slim.
Checked out the goodwill distribution center and their prices were ridiculous!
Furniture was close to retail. Even clothes were high. Pair of true religion jeans, heavily worn, were $75! New at The Rack are on sale for $125.
Then hit Salvation Army. Got a suit for $30 that fits perfect, looks brand new. Retails for $279.
Ronco rotisery, brand new in box, for $5.
Put a hold on an antique wardrob thats $100. Took a million picks and put on craigslist and showing antique guy today. Haven't got a single response so if guy doesn't want I'll cancel hold.
Really nice and they only want $100. Know I can get more in time and even not I'd love to have it myself but simply don't have the room for it!

I'm really trying to figure out how goodwill, salvation, value village come up with pricing.
Some things are way low while others over the top high.  They had the exact table I own for $400....that's what I paid new ten years ago!
But then they have brand new small appliances for $5-$10? The wardrobe for $100 when all over town they are $400-600, some up over $1000...


And no one buy a "that's $75 all day" shop vac from the Storage Wars people.
Goodwill has 100's them for under $15!   lol
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: monkeybusiness on April 22, 2012, 10:46:37 PM
Sometimes I think they price by dartboard.there doesn't seem a ryhme or reason.I'll hit Goodwill tomorrow for Monday Madness.
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: MatchesMalone on April 22, 2012, 11:40:53 PM
Sometimes I think they price by dartboard.there doesn't seem a ryhme or reason.I'll hit Goodwill tomorrow for Monday Madness.

It is fairly random and varies pretty wide by location, as well.

I bought a couple items recently. A new sealed tin of pokemon cards for $3 and a set of Roger Waters The Wall concert exclusive pins for $1.

I bought them both, but it just surprises me what the person pricing sees as more valuable.

The pins already sold on ebay for $16.
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: craiglstauction on April 23, 2012, 09:06:40 AM
In my area the Goodwill is normally picked pretty clean.  All the stores are 90% cloths, with some furniture items and random stuff tossed in.  As for prices - I agree with the dartboard idea.  There seems to be very little methodalogy to the prices.  Heck - one of the furniture items I donated I couldn't sell at $50.  Two weeks after I donated it, they have it on the floor for $125.  The next week it was gone - so someone must of bought it for $125.  Just boggles the mind at times.

My caravan auction was dismal this week so I hit some yardsales saturday, and did the same thing previous saturday.  My picks for the two saturdays were as follows:

Last week:
Bookcase - $5 (was for wife)
50 CDs (various artist + metal stand they were on) - $25

Saturday:
Army footlocker w/ bunch of wires, remotes, cutting disk - $15   
Copper berry strainer - $3
60 CDs (various artist, mostly country) - $30


Can make money on the footlocker as people always wanted to buy my trunks I use for storage at the flea.  Plus, the big mason saw blades look new and retail for $5 to $15 each.  On top of a few other new items I found in the trunk.  The CDs sell for $2 each at the flea.  I had sold most of my CDs still in cases.  Only have a spindle of loose CDs and Movies that I sell for $1.  Not getting many bites on those so figure will try the CD rack and all these different CDs.  Small gamble if they sell or not.
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: MovieMan on April 23, 2012, 09:35:10 AM
No Value Village in my area (central California) but Goodwill and Salvation Army are big.

Goodwill not so good in my immediate area. They have a connection with some commercial supplier as they have a couple of aisles of new (lower end) stuff. Lots of clothes of course and smaller amount of hard goods.

Salvation Army on the other hand has a nice store BUT in the last few months they have been checking stuff out on eBay and elsewhere.

In one case a PLYCRAFT brand chair and ottoman was priced at $650. That's what they MIGHT sell for on eBay. The next day I looked at it and they had posted a printout showing a pair of them on eBay for $1450...thus justifying their $650 price I guess.  Third day I looked it was still there, but the next day it was gone, so someone bought it at some price.

I also saw a really pristine, fancy wheelchair they were asking $800 for. When I asked about it they said I could have it for $500.

Once in a while they miss and I have picked up some good items from $5 to $25 that have sold for $50 to $100.
That would be on smaller items for the most part.
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: Alias on April 23, 2012, 11:48:23 AM
That must be what our goodwills are doing. Price checking.
I was doing okay selling chairs but now all the thrift stores have them marked at retail.
Some still have a margin but not big enough to play the odds.

I've even noticed that CL is pretty slim on 'free' furniture and the 'antique' section is up.
Tho most aren't antiques, just old.

I'm not an expert at antiques in the slightest but I'm pretty sure, and I could be wrong here, that if a piece was sold at Ikea.... not antique. lol

My favorite is the ad's that say 'antique looking....'
What does that even mean!?  Been sitting outside in rain and sun and is worn and cracking?

And how did I take this post from value village finds to a rant on CL listings?
Sorry about that.
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: MatchesMalone on April 23, 2012, 12:14:03 PM
And how did I take this post from value village finds to a rant on CL listings?
Sorry about that.

Seemed natural to me.  :)
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: monkeybusiness on April 24, 2012, 12:20:51 AM
Movieman,
When I was in California,I hit Goodwills in Sanat Cruz and Modesto.I was shocked how little they had besides clothes.I didn't buy anything.
I hit a few thrift shops in Modesto had a little better luck.
I guess its just different markets.
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: Alias on April 26, 2012, 04:04:43 PM
So a few days ago I posted about the high prices at the Goodwill distribution center. Specifically the chairs at almost retail. The one I remember the best was an Ikea chair priced at $35.

Today I was at a local goodwill and saw the same chair (it might even be the SAME chair) for $7.99!
And it was pink tag which is 50% off on Thursdays so $3.99!   WTF?

Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: MatchesMalone on April 29, 2012, 01:09:08 PM
So a few days ago I posted about the high prices at the Goodwill distribution center. Specifically the chairs at almost retail. The one I remember the best was an Ikea chair priced at $35.

Today I was at a local goodwill and saw the same chair (it might even be the SAME chair) for $7.99!
And it was pink tag which is 50% off on Thursdays so $3.99!   WTF?

Dartboard!!
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: che85mor on May 14, 2012, 08:33:53 PM
I sometimes wonder if the Goodwills get stuff from the MFR. I've gone to three different ones in my area and found 2 pair of apple bottom jeans at each one. Hard to imagine each one getting two pair donated in the same week at random.

As for their pricing, they have an auction site now (or have had for a while) where they list a lot of the higher end stuff instead of putting it in the stores, so yes, they are checking and are getting smarter.

I found this out when I went in and looked at a Coach purse in their display case. The girl told me it was fake and that all the real ones get listed on their auction site. I told her it was a felony to knowingly sell fake designer goods. She told me to take it up with the attorney general lol. Smartass little wench. So I sent a letter to their corporate with our local attorney general CC'd :)
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: Alias300 on May 16, 2012, 10:46:37 AM
Man, between you and movieman.....this site is just full of rats! lol.  ;D
...................
I see the same around here with low end designer jeans. No clue where they get them.


We hit St. Vincent's de Paul every spring cause a local snowboard company donates a ton of clothing that didn't sell. (and sometimes boards)
Get a snowboarding coat for $75 that retailed at $300. Pants for $50 that were $150.
And a few years back I or a new board for $75 just cause it had a graphic design flaw. Found the same one at snowboard connection for $600.
Title: Re: Value Vilage Picks
Post by: LaWaughn on May 16, 2012, 01:03:55 PM
Value Village also seems like they have donations from manufacturers. I can go to one location find something that looks new with tags or packaging and then go to another location months later and find the same thing in bulk. I'm in DC. There pricing here seems really good. They offer 25% off on Mondays and 25% on Thursdays if you have their card.