Oh that is pretty cool Alias.  I keep hitting estate sales but by time I get off work they are picked clean.  Did get a old 1970s era station wagon jack for like $5 a few months ago.  Last few sales for me have just been $.50 CDs to add to my collection.

Yard sales have still been good to me however.

Have some auction houses doing absolute auctions next saturday.  So not sure what want to hit (storage auction, auction house, yard sale)....

Think myself and my daughter are one of the people Movieman was talking about.  As we have one facility (he is the owner) that will accept her bids.  Of course the contract is in my name, etc.  She will be 14 thursday and I'm sure will read this post monday...yes - she reads the boards.

Outside of my daughter we have normally only 2 semi-regulars that have young kids.  They don't act up, get in the way, etc.  So for the most part any kids at the auctions in my area are fine.  We have had a few newbies bring screaming toddlers, the rat pack, etc.  Those days it can be very trying at times.  With the lower crowds of late most people are not as pushy/bad mood, even with the 100+ degree heat as they were last year.

FYI - the one auction that takes my daughters bids also has his son there helping many times.  So in a way it's a bit more kid friendly then other auctions may be why he does it.  For myself I get to spend time with her and teach her buying / selling.  Granted if she keeps buying the winning lockers I'll retire and let her do all the work.

Lol Alias - that was just funny.  I was sitting here thinking about the look of that guys face.

Well caravan time for me in the morning...if we have any units.  Last 4 months have seen less then a dozen units between 7 locations.  This is the auction that is telling for me also on crowds.  We have been getting lots of out of towners and newbies.  If we are under 30 people I will be very happy.

Monday is my 3 caravan location that my daughter loves.  She made out like a bandit last month.  So hopefully we will get another unit or three in the next few days.

Well that would be easy to do Cobia.  I have 5 title pawn places in a 2 block area in many parts of my town.

Lol money - I've learned it never hurts to ask.  If I'm really interested in something I'll work up.  Most times it's items for the store and we have set prices.  So offer and then leave with item or not.  Bunch of sales this time of year.  Most times I don't even get out of my local area before noon hits and people pack it up.

I have if can find it this electric lightning ball buddah.  I used it a number of times at the flea with a $50 price tag.  It's not really worth that much but it draws in people like flys.  1 in 4 will then see something they want and buy.  Before I had it people would do the quick glance as walk by.  I use my US/World coins now to draw people in.  Make more sells but not as many comments as the buddah....really need to find where I hid that thing.

Yep, Cobia - those people are out there.  I've had people offer to buy 10 $2 bills for $15.  Um - sure let me pay you $5 to take this stuff off my hands.

Now, at yard sales I'll try and get a good deal.  I will lowball something if I think I can get it.  Or if I'm buying for the thrift store.  We roughly pay 1/2 of what we think can get back.  I get told NO at times, Yes a number of times, and a few times will haggle.

Case in point this past saturday - guy had 4 nice wood chairs at $20 each or all 4 for $60.  Now, that is what my buddy can get at his store, around $15-20.  I told her up front I may be interested in them for the store but I don't think he would go for the price.  While I waited for a response I checked out the yard sale right next door (love twofores).  Buddy came back with $30, she asked her hubby who said $40.  Now, she had also told me about a 5th chair out back and went to get it for me to see.  While waiting hubby mention that a) they not sold anything yet that morning  b) they had a sale last weekend  c) really didn't want to put this stuff back.  So I offered $35 for all 5 chairs and they took it.  Didn't have change so I tried to get a little tikes picnic table and a dora trike for the $5.  He said $10 so I settled on the picnic table...which sold less then an hour after I delivered it for $12.99.

Different yard sale had a tent (no instructions, pita) for $5.  Had a 10 yr old 5hp shop vac and a newer 1.5hp shop vac for $20.  Had a pair of ok bar stools for $15 or $20.  Now stools go for 7-10 bucks, not had any vac's to sell and tent was iffy.  Offered $30 for it all.  He said NO so I walked away and headed to the next sale which was above.

Some of these people just want stuff gone...specially late in the day.  I've picked up whole boxes of random stuff for $5 many a times.  It's like a small version of a storage unit.  I rummage real quick - see 5-10 bucks worth of stuff and offer $5 for the box.

Lol - don't you love when that happens.  I've tought my daughter to search everything before tossing stuff in trash.  One of her last units she purchased had a cloths hamper in front for all to see.  Looked like they tossed the contents under the bathroom sink in it.  She wanted to toss the whole thing.  After I reminder her to look she found a 10k gold/diamond bracelet.  Still need to have it tested but by my home testing it's all real.