My 14 year old son has been "collecting" ALF stuff for about 8 years now!!! Thats why I used him as my avatar! He would have loved that shirt!!

When I opened my first store I walked up and down the street talking to all the other local store owners daily ( I lived in walking distance) and told them what I was doing. Before you know it people were either leading me in the direction of stuff I needed or giving me a few things to get started! That was about 12 years ago, the town I live in has a small town feel to the downtown area and people get to know one another. This time when I opened my second store I lucked out and rented a store with most of the fixtures already there I needed and just bought them off the previous owner.

yes, there is one near mine, they have mainly average household stuff ( I do too, but I also have collectibles, antiques and unique items) anyways....their stuff is so over priced it is laughable! The product never moves...example a 5 ft. 8 inch wide plant stand..$88 dollars, I sell better ones for $19.75 and they fly out the door. They have used hats $25 dollars...used!!! two wine glasses that clearly came with a bottle of wine (nothing special) $11. I can hardly move them for .75 cents each.....everyone in town thinks they are ridiculous! (and the place smells like someone is smoking cigarettes in there, I quit last December so I know its not so hard to go outside for a butt!) They are also selling dollar store items...brushes, baggies, toothbrushes elastics, pencils and such for top dollar. I stop in there for time to time for a good laugh.

I feel like I've gotten a few "single mom's" unit, and they can't afford their apartments any longer...it is sad, especially when you find alot of well cared for children's clothes and toys.

I thought auctionguy was being sarcastic thats why I didnt answer him, lol. If he wasnt then my answer is similar to Travis', I also have a Wothpoint app or I just google the item. I guess I was kinda flip about my "crock pot" crack, I do have to look stuff up, and I have had a few knowledgeable friends look at stuff for me. Once I got stage production equipment so my son's drum teacher came and looked at the speakers for me. I also have a friend who is an expert in the field of early American folk art and antiques, so he has been handy to have around at times...

me: "I buy storage units at auction..."
others:"I watch those shows ALL the time!"
me:"the shows dont really 'show' what its all about...dump runs, mice poop, live mice (ive battled a few)gross stuff, food,mattress's,ex large 1980-90 TVs nobody wants, dirty laundry, and more gross stuff, lucky to double my money..."
others" Ive always wanted to do this..."
me: "why?'
others"whats the best thing you found?'
me:"stuff i could sell..."
i guess I am getting jaded, it is still the best way to buy in bulk for me right now, I have a resale store. I wish it wasnt so "glamorized"...Im not running stuff to appraisers...I know what a crock pot goes for, lol.

pic is sideways...I guess I still need to work on some tech skills here...