Here We Go Again

 My sales dried up the past couple of days. Could be because I am not posting much, just relisting on Mercari and adding the occasional item to Ebay. Facebook marketplace remains a mystery to me. Totally hit or miss for me. I did sell the Left handed holster. I dropped the price to 55$ and sure enough, someone from Florida needed it for a play or a movie. I'm not certain, I should go back and reread the exchange. But I was able to get it to UPS and it was  delivered yesterday! Yay.

I did have two packages to mail yesterday. The libraries are closed (again) and so I had to return home and copy labels to a thumb drive, head to Staples and print there. A pain, but I like to get my stuff out ASAP and not let it accumulate all week end just to take those "ha ha this is what I sold, how about you/" slap in the face pictures.

Driving all over hells half acre because I did purchase for myself a Guy Coheleach siberian tiger picture from a lady who lived way off the beaten path in Louisville in Meadowlark area off Brownsboro Rd. Money. So I was well on my way to the honey hole GW in Prospect when I ran into a jammed I-71. 

I went to GW in Floyds Knob and SCORE they were having a 50% off sale if you purchased at lease 40$ I found a few things both for me and the bidness. 

I decided to try out the other GW in C-ville and that is where I ran into a Trumpster with a mask half hanging off her face. welol, she was actually wearing it under her nose. We talked a little about the 50% off then it zigged into Covid and no 50% off anymore, (she is a regular obviously and knows the ins and outs of this particular store). This is where it gets heated. I feel my blood begin to rise and I should just channel my Mom and step away with a polite and curt nod of my head. But no, I am empowered to tell people they are WRONG. I was never this way before trump. He definitely has brought out the monster in me.

She was saying ridiculous things, repeating Fox news misinformation. She said her sister or Aunt or someone was a nurse and said it was not as bad as was being reported. She said that the masks were useless because if it were airbourne it would go right through the mask.

I walked away then and threw one last remark back at her "You are the Problem".

It ruined my day. Mainly because I am so mean and so intolerant to people.

  

Another Day at the Auction

930 Am found me clutching my #266 and standing with a lot of masked people milling about, searching the merchandise spread out before us like a colorful boxed up feast. We were waiting for the auction to begin and our money hot and burning in our pockets, waiting to snag that perfect price for the best deals. I saw many masked faces from the prior auctions. The braided woman of color, the old guy on the cane, the young couple who demand my wonderment. I can't figure out why they intrigue me. Maybe because his hair is long and dishwater blonde, he's skinny and seems slightly pigeon toes. She is a little hefty but toned enough to wear skin tight jeans and trendy boots. They leaned against the showcase and he bid on this really terrific table with large fat ornate legs with an additional table underneath it. I'm not familiar enough with furniture to knbow what they call those things. He paid 450$ for it I believe. They bought a large china serving set that sat in the back of the room, or the front depending on where the bidding was going on. He also bought some gorgeous prism laden candle holder maybe? I can't explain my fascination with them except they are by far the youngest there by 20 years (excluding maybe the "servants" for Marty). I think maybe they remind me of myself and JK from all those years ago. His mask fell down around his chin and he is not as handsome as I thought. 

Throw Mama from the train was not there. All the black guys who carry stuff out to your car for you were there. about 6 of them this time.  Marty is like the king of buying stuff. He let me (that is how I view it) have that Barbie doll 2 weeks ago for 7.50 that I was able to flip last week for 75$ Letting me have it is the way I feel about him. He must own a flea market booth somewhere of quite possible a store. He buys everything.

This time I was not interested in multiples. Maybe the next time when I have more confidence in the crew taking stuff to my car. And how that works. Do they have a key to your car? Do you leave it unlocked?

Joe and I went Monday to look at all the stuff for the viewing so I would have some idea what I wanted to bid on and set my limits. I knew I wanted some of the costume jewelry, some Nutcrackers, some rt. 66, a Michael Kors car coat, and some watches.

So much was sold in lots! A box of Barbie Dolls, unboxed but a lot of them went in a lot so I passed and Marty got it. Some exquisite mexican pottery and  some southwest trivets which were wonderful went in lots and the bidding was too high for me.

I lost the Paul Sawyier to a gallery guy. He got it for 50$. he gave me his card and said he over paid and should have let me have it for 40$ If I want to sell my PS's give him a call. I voiced my opinion that without the COA on the back, I thought they were worth less. He corrected me and said they all sell.

I also learned that people do not like you to touch their stuff after they win the auction. I must keep my rovong paws to myself the next time.

Braided haired woman got both the flats of costume jewelry I was wanting. She may have really overpaid for them if there is nothing of value in them. I tried to look them over (this is where I learned not to do this!!) to see if anything was marked. I should have taken a look Monday afternoon. I'm learning. 

I was bidding for some junk jewelry and stopped and let this long tall drink of water black guy who at first I thought might be a little crazy because he was bidding so high for a lot of the behind the counter stuff. Derby pins etc.

But after he won for 12.50$ he came over and have me half. Stunned and so unexpected!

Can't wait for the next one. 

The Blue Box

 After thinking I had scored one of the jewelry boxes in GW Blue Box (49.99 for a mystery box!!) I took a plunge and ordered a box of blue jeans for 19.99 plus 5 dollar shipping.

I have recently watched a You-Tube video about the 50 top selling jeans, naturally beginning with Levis. Most went for 25.00 and upwards telling you not to spend over a couple of bucks per pair. The box has 10-12 jeans and so I thought why not.

Then I watched another you Tube about an influencer who was asked by GW to accept a box and give an honest review. She got a great box with very good merchandise. Could have been a not so random box. 

Mine came today. Not so great! One pair of Lee jeans (not on the list) one pair of Gloria Vanderbilt (definitely not on the list, but I may keep those for myself, long shorts!) and other brands I had heard of and some no. One pair of Joe 10's which was the score. Perhaps. Sold at Norstrums and Macys in the 100$ range.

This is what I got;

Ellen Tracy plum color missing size, guessing an 8 or 10

Gloria Vanderbilt size 12 Bermuda All around slimming effect

Joe's 10 long slim (the score!)

V.I.P. Jeans  size 15/16 distressed Tapered ankle with slit (very cool)

AQ Jeans shorts in grey and off white size 22

Active USA 1XL stretch material Designed in Los Angeles

Union Bay NWT very short size 1

Lee jeans  Regular fit 40x32

Style & Co slim leg black  size 4 petit

Forever 21 (mall brand!) bib overall style dress size 5

Hollywood the jean people elastic waist  no size cut off cuffs  (or not sewed)

Crown & Ivy size 4 sleeveless ruffled dress

Old Navy Boyfriend Skinny size 4  

Lucky 13! that's 24.99/13= 1.92/pair.  All in all, not bad!

BRAIN FROG

 I could not say I was suffering from brain fog today. I kept saying "brain frog". That's how bad it is. I sat at the computer and edited pictures for about an hour and then the SD card "crashed" on me! Holy smokes. Suddenly it could not be read because it needed to be formatted and to be formatted it would losing all the data already on it.  Bummer. I have screwed up my command window and did not feel like taking the time to figure out how to pull it up to see if I could by pass the formatting demand. I just resigned myself to taking more pics...later.

But I pulled up myself up by the boots straps and headed to Shelbyville to pick up my auction winnings and took Joe with me. 

The belt buckle ended up being a good purchase for 6$ Should be able to sell for 15-25 range. Not another like it on E-bay or other sites that I could find. Similar but not the same. In other words, the same but not.

Then Goodwill down the street where Joe scored several items of clothing. It's hard to source with him because I know he is bored and wants to go after about 15 minutes. I was able to go through most of the jeans but found none of any value according to the You-Tube top 50. One Calvin Klein, but I did not want to spend 6$ and have to list it at 19.99 with free shipping which is the norm on E-bay, so I passed. Levi's, Gloria Vanderbilt galore, lot of the usual stuff you always see. Nothing spectacular. I believe the Mexicans on the other side of the jeans were sourcing too because we were in the women's and they were thoroughly going through all the small sizes. They were two guys. Unless they we3re shopping for their women.

But in the hard goods I came across this!

Is that brown or gold? I need to inspect better. I believe its gold. Belleek. 1.99$

Then these....

 3 for 59 cents each. Highball glasses!! 

So for the day I spent less than 10 and should easily tripe or more my expense. I know some people don't like to mess around with penny ante stuff, but a sale and making money will add up.  In time.

The Week-End

 I had a fairly good week-end. My usual packages of 7 are going out. And I am always shocked when I realize I put free shipping on some! 

I sold the Kelly Doll from Hays.

Sold the Bear from Hays.

Sold Princess Di from Hays

Sold the Cowboy boots from SSTC

Sold the guitar frog - I think from SGW

Frozen ornament from the Bins

Jordon Marsh Gloves from SSTC

Pretty profitable and I believe this may cover the 332$ I spent at Hays for the Dolls. 

And I am in a brain fog. Have been since last Monday. I believe I have a touch of the virus. No fever just congestion, cough and this brain fog. I have forgotten to bring in my phone so I can buy my Ebay labels for shipping. I was planning on splitting the parcels between the 2 post offices anyway, so I will just go print them out down town.

This week has been awful in a sense. With this virus/cold covering everything the rest was just a kick in the butt. B and S got pulled over after leaving the PO box and S was arrested. B was hysterical and I was so thankful that she was not arrested also. So I went and bailed him out. Then B has the nerve to ask me to pay their cable bill because she is tired of watching football. The nerve. I just did not respond.

Then I was served papers for the Credit thing. I'm going thru a company and I have a feeling I am fucked on this one. I will get around to calling them in a few minutes.

I bought a box of blue jeans from Blue Box Good will to see if I can flip me some denim. $24.99 for 10 pieces I believe. 

Won an auction and need to head to Shellbyville to pick up a silver belt buckle. I just hope its sterling silver. The auction company is not too good on details.

I won a lot of military vintage stuff, canteens, a holster, ammunition packs, a shirt, a beret....some guy sent me a text asking if a certain gun would fit in the shoulder holster. ?????

Took Baxter to the vet and managed to slip away to the auction house. I wanted to bid on some jewelry but it would take them forever to get around to it. So I bought some Japanese glassware, a Barbie doll, and some sport cards. 

The End.

Overlooked at the Bins

 

So I went to the Bins and spent 55$ when I spoke sharply to myself about NO MORE SOURCING. I went in thinking I would choose judiciously. But in a matter of moments that notion went out the door. I found such fabulous stuff that was overlooked by the other sellers and flippers. 

These skates are a BOLO. More or less, kids are skating more and at the skating rink. I picked up two pairs that the African delegation did not want. They were there in force and the bins must have just been changed out when I arrived. They were attacking the shoe bins like I've never seen before. They were filling baskets and totes with shoes then taking the shoes to their "stations" and ruching back for more. I am done with shoes. I am able to move them, but it's slow.

They left behind the skates. Practically brand new and sell preowned on Ebay in the 80$ range.

Then this beauty

 This is the back. Its an Apache coat. They are on Ebay for over $100 preowned.

I picked up vintage sheets still in their packaging circa mid 1960's.

A cool cowboy hat.

A ton of polybags! I couldn't believe no one grabbed them! I mail so many things in a polybag!! 

And the list goes on, expensive coctail dress, a vintage carry on luggage piece for cosmetics and jewelry!, stuffed horse plush with tag still attached. I have not had much luck with plushes but I still pick them up!, an embordered shit, and a Santa Fe t-shirt that has a hippie VW on the front (super cool).

This is why I can not resist the bins.

I Got Them Old Election Blues

 This morning is the first time in a very long time I am not glued to the TV watching the morning shows on MSNBC and CNN. I can not express my relief that we are moving forward with a new President that will heal this country and try to bring us together. I could not have endured another 4 years of the chaos, the lies, the disrespect for the American presidency. Thank God it is almost behind us.

But, sales have screeched to a halt in the meantime. Not that I have stopped sourcing! I'm worse than ever spending 103$at Wardlow, 71.50$ at Harritt, etc. etc. etc. I have to sell what I have on hand and then rid myself of all the dead stuff. Children's clothes, plush animals, and after the winter, the shoes.

I'm going to concentrate on dolls and jewelry and then the good profit margin stuff. I'm going to improve at checking comps and choosing what I sell judicially.

 This is one of the pieces I picked up at Wardlow. An antique Mason's Ironstone Cheese house with bottom from England.  They sell for 200 upwards on E-bay but this beautiful piece shows its age. I am going to purchase some denture cleaning materials and see if I can remove the stains on the tray.

This Audrey Hepburn Doll as Eliza I got in the lot of 3 dolls from Harritt for 71.50. She sells fairly well, but the creme de la creme was the Holly Golighty doll from Breakfast at Tiffney's which I can not upload because it is sideways and I can't correct it. Damn technology.

My big ale from this weekend was this from Hay's auction...

Sad but true. Not making a lot of money yet. I believe my profit is around 200$ so far. Long way to go to reach where I want to be.