Hey, what's hot at the mall these days?

I always enjoy hearing that news.

While gone I sold some fruit jars, seed bags, beer bottles and a small stand. I did get 5 calls about offers on a store cabinet that I had price at $650.00. The offers were from $450 to $500. I'm holding for $550. I never called back to see if it sold or not.

While away, it sounds like traffic and sales are finally going up. May was very slow. Seemed like only serious collectors were buying along with big furniture. Same as last year. About this time last year they had to add floor workers to handle the increase of summer traffic.

Buying has been great. Went to a house today and was told I could everything for free, but had to take it all. I did.

A house full, for free.

Wow. Any treasures in that?

only a pile of very useful stuff. Some very nice tools that would cost a bunch to go out and buy. A few I'll sell and a bunch to keep.

After buying a bunch of stuff, I spotted a nice, small, vintage floor safe.
How much, I asked.
What would you pay, he says.
I say $150.
He says he's not sure.

That's when I leave an offer for my price and explain that he can now try to sell it and if anyone lowballs below that he can just say "I already have an offer of $150." He smiled and told me that was a fare deal and go ahead and take it for that price.

After that, a great pick went even better for the other half. Turned out to be the best one of the year for me. He then had his wife get me a cup of great coffee, wrote down my number and said he'd tell friends and relatives about me if they decided to downsize too.

I sold the safe later that day.

I agree wholeheartedly with you safeinOhio

I wrote an article (Anatomy of a Sale) which pretty much echoes what you say.

You can check it out here:

http://www.sooperarticles.com/home-and-family-articles/antiques-articles/anatomy-sale-what-do-say-get-best-price-when-buying-antiques-697555.html

Happy Hunting folks

The gamble.

Great article, but I would also add the gamble. Some times you will not know the worth and a gamble can pay off. I am more upset with the items I didn't buy than the junk I did. Recently I didn't purchase a great old sign because it looked too good and must have been a repo. Turn out to real and I lost hundreds of dollars not taking a chance. Of course knowledge is king and I learned from it.

Yes I agree. The gamble is always worth a shot. I did the same with a Marc Chagall lithograph I saw in a very local auction. The internet went down in the room as the lot came up - I'd not noticed it before but it was on a wall about 10 feet to my left. I was down to my last £300, decided to take a risk as there was very little interest in it. I got it for £260! It was not only absolutely right but inscribed and dedicated as well!

Lucky that day, but then again I've missed more than I've got!

Yes the gamble is a very good suggestion.