Saturday, May 21, 2011

2490 Hwy. 105




2490 Highway 105, Boone NC. Our house is right on 105, directly across from the used car dealership next to the Ingles shopping center. We are moving and have a lot of stuff to sell so come early!

This craigslist did not do them justice. These recent App State grads and scavengers had a fabulous sale this morning. French coffee presses, vintage dinnerware,skateboards, a stuffed dead cat (he is holding it in the picture if you look close enough), salon chairs, antique mirrors,a Taco Bell table and chairs booth, a collection of guitars, a large Shell oil sign and some sweet 60's plastic molded chairs----this sale touched my hunter gatherer heart. This was our first stop , just because it was close. We were hoping for a chest of drawers or a futon couch, but what we found was much better. Four young men moving on past Boone, who have gathered 4 years of local treasures and were ready to part with them at garage sale prices. My husband and I watched as they brought out more and more items. We began to ask if they had a dresser or a futon couch or vinyl albums, record players, etc.... they brought out this 1950's wooden dresser then the chaise lounge couch
(featured picture), then an old record player built into a cabinet---they had it all! We bought a few items and I just sat and smiled. I liked their style, their free spirit and I admired their collection of things--a bit reminiscent of my own college days. At the end of our garage sale day, we swung back by to see if they still had any guitars. They told me tales of a couple that came by (FLIPPERS) and laid down $125 in cash and took away a car load including the Shell oil sign (that would have needed a pick up to transport--it was that big!). They said it with pride and money in their pockets--why not? The collection of guitars had found another home already. Oh well--maybe next time. Thanks for hosting a fabulous and funky sale this morning guys. I give you a dozen roses for originality, good pricing, and a real sense of enthusiasm for your sale. I also appreciate your ability to purge and collect more on your next journey. You have the right idea! Happy travels gentlemen and happy hunting everyone else! Rosie P.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Damascus City Wide 2011


The Tibetan Book of the Dead (paperback), and a VHS tape, “Yard Sales”, a skit by Phyllis Diller, were two of the handful of items I found at this year’s trek to Damascus, VA for the Citywide Yard Sale. My rickety rolling cart was only half full by day’s end.

This year found me “off my game”, having been robbed of all my cash the day before after leaving my purse in the car during a hike on Whitetop Mountain. You avid thrifters know what I mean when you’re having an “off” day…the treasures seem to stay hidden, you feel overwhelmed, and you miss some good scores due to procrastination. Riding in the backseat down VA Hwy 58 was not a plus for mental acuity either.

My first stop was the B&B on Main Street where Rosie P. found the infamous velvet chartreuse sofa last year. Still the warm and welcoming sellers, but this year’s couch was a tattered sofa bed, with zippo appeal. These folks always have great stuff, but the pickings were slim this year, although I did score a lovely dress that will serve me well for a Fall wedding.

For old time’s sake, we did hang out on the beige sofa bed for a photo, just like last year, with the blooming rhododendron backdrop, but it was nothing like the photo shoot on the charming chartreuse divan. Well, I DID hold up my copy of The Tibetan Book of The Dead for color….

My companions, husband and our pal Jim from Durham, wanted to lollygag and walk at a slower pace so it didn’t take me long to ditch those two guys and begin a frantic scan of the town hauling my noisy rolling cart up and down the side streets. Biggest disappointment was finding that my favorite seller last year was not set up this year. It was her house where I’d found the Paul Klee print and scores of funky clothing, jewelry, and music….SO, “wushhhhhhh” goes the wind from my sails.

I’d been procrastinating about a green boiled wool purse, made in Ireland, tags still attached for $5 that’d I’d left a few streets back. Off I gallop, rolling cart screeching over the pavement, and, “Wushhhhhhh…..” again, SOLD.

See what I mean about being off my game?

At least I can report that I did find a few things for Rosie P., a plastic bagful of silverware and a retro plate, both of which were purchased after I posed the question, “would you take…..” which worked for those items, but not for the hugely funky Bakelite clip on earrings. Seller was firm with $4. There are some things I can live without.

My finale was getting back to my car and finding the doors locking and unlocking, lights going off and on….Me standing on Main Street looking all around in puzzlement, and my two companions (both men in their 60’s) hiding behind the bushes having a great time watching my confusion. Alas, Damascus, 2011.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

"You take a dallah!"


“You take a dallah? I give you a dallah? You pay me twenty dallah cleaning fee for this…”

This from our recent Facebook post about a Boone yard sale “regular” who arrives at every sale loud and demanding, and wears down the seller until they will do anything to get her off their property.

Not good form. And we can’t help but speculate that this person is a “flipper”, that is someone who buys cheap and sells the goods somewhere else (flea market, Ebay?).

And this is certainly NOT in the spirit of what Secondhand Rosies embrace as joyful, creative hunting with opportunities to forge new friendships along the way.

But can you bargain? Oh, YES! And here are some tips:

*Don’t expect to get the best bargains during the first hour of the sale. That Felix the Cat clock you eye at 8:01 a.m.? You just may have to pay full price.

*Sometimes the seller is parting with an item of sentimental value, and if you show a real love and appreciation for that item the seller may let it go for less. It’s happened to me, and I’ve always promised the seller that it will be well loved in its new home.

*It never hurts to say “Will you take…..” All they can say is “no”, or make you a counter offer. Know when to stop if the seller seems reluctant. If you want it that badly pay the price.

*If the sale is raising funds for a worthy cause wait until the organization lowers the prices. Our “karmic” rule of giving back.

*Best time to bargain would be the last hour of a sale. It is then that you can often offer a ridiculous amount and have it accepted. Most sellers do not want to pack up the merchandise.

*Clothing is often the easiest item that you can barter. And if you find a little tear or stain it should be expected that the seller will reduce the price.

*Never, ever, ever, use the phrase “Jew down”. Bad form, culturally insensitive, and bully like. “Will you take……or what will you take” a much softer forms of approaching a deal.

*Know when to walk away. Last year, close to noon on a hot summer day, I offered a group of young women 50 cents for the paperbacks they were selling for $1 each. No deal they say. I leave, shaking my head. Our public library sells used paperbacks for 50 cents. Rosie W.