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Thrift shop choices: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

So, my step mom is running a thrift store for her church. Today, I am asked if I can get some stuff listed on eBay from the thrift store.

Now, at first, I am thinking, "I do not want to waste my time sifting through this garbage trying to find stuff to sell, but then again maybe I'll find something cool."

So, I know I want to stay away from electronics or other things that may have something that does not work on it. I feel like I have this potential gold mine at my fingertips.

It is so much stuff that I feel overwhelmed by even trying to figure it out.

Any suggestions on where I should maybe start? I know this is a vague question, but they literally have a little bit of everything, and I am unsure about where to try to get started.

Re: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

I would stay away from electronics, I would go with Misc stuff.

Re: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

Items that can be used.

Tools, household etc.

Any collectible or antique items at all?

Anything in the original box?

Re: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

Thank you MM. I was def thinking that electronics would be a no no. I really don't want to spend the time to make sure they work anyhow.

Re: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

Thank you Sandy. I was hoping you would comment on my post. From everything I read on the forum, you seem to be "The Yard Sale Queen". That is def meant as a compliment. You seem to have some of the most amazing post about turning nothing into something.

I am sure there are collectibles and antiques there. It is just a matter of finding them and knowing that they are collectible and/or antique. I am very ignorant regarding antiques. And there is a lot of stuff that is still in its original box. Some of which is even unopened.

After re-reading over this, it makes me think of what a plumber once said to me. "One man's **** is another man's gravy" Pardon the word, but it loses something if I sub another word.

Re: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

Actually I do more antique auctions as you can get a ton of items in a few hours and enjoy being in one location to do it rather then running around and getting nothing sometimes.

I do yard and garage sales but not as much as actual auctions and estates.

Thanks for the compliment. It is in my blood and I have been doing it for almost my entire life. Even as a kid I was at auctions, yard sales, church rummages etc.

Truly enjoy the thrill of the hunt.

Send me some pictures if you have some antiques and I will see if I can help you make some money.

PMd you an email address.

Re: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

That's cool of you! Thank you!!!

Re: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

Dont stay away from electronics, I would say hit the computers hard but break them down into pieces. I would say at least 70% of my money is pure computer parts.

It does take some time to figure out what pieces work and what does not work. My thing is, I already have a working laptop or desktop already ready. The fastest way to figure out if the computer works is by just turning it on the first time around. If it does, it works and it can be broken down for pieces. Individual pieces sell great and you can get a much higher price vs the entire thing.

If the computer does not then the work will be a little harder. Take out the hard drive and power it up on a separate working cable on a working computer. If its a laptop, the HD can be powered up by a external USB case. Have a program like HD Tune running and it will see if HD works.

Most broken down laptops have a malfunctioning hard drive. If that is the case, I buy (in bulk) small cheap HDs off ebay and install a working one and then sell the entire laptop. Those kinds are laptop sell very quickly around when college starts. Students pick up a laptop for $100 that only cost you $20, plus 5 for the new HD. Only go that route if you see that the HD does not work. Other pieces have other ways to see if they work but I will write for at least 30 minutes on here for that.

You will do need a larger space to do this and store things in but for some people its worth it.
In any ways, you have a gold mine there and hopefully take advantage of it.

PS-sorry for the pretty bad grammar, i just woke up and enjoying my time off in FL. Hey Sandy.....

Re: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

Hi Yotano!

Most stuff donated to churches are not computers that I see. He also does not realize older towers have some gold etc in them. Correct me if I am wrong?

Re: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

Computers do have some gold in them but in very very small amounts. The problem of extracting that gold is very hard and time consuming. The individual will also need some really hard types of chemicals like acids. It can be very dangerous task, it not done right you can poison your yourself with a chlorine type gas.

Re: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

Items in their orginal box can be a market for someone.

If you come across them, make sure you (later) research your finds. This is where your time well spent will bring you in money.

I might suggest not listing any finds unless you check them carefully.

Sounds SO exciting to have access to this treasure trove.

I love this part of selling. Hunting for the goodies!!!!

Enjoy!

:cheer:

Re: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

Chemical stealth...

@OP, the items still sealed in packages...lot of collectors love that stuff

Re: Thrift shop choices: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

Thank you all for your replies. All is appreciated!!!

Re: Thrift shop choices: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

I found 3 games from the 1980's in sealed original boxes today at the Goodwill.

3.99 to 7.99

All sell for 50+.

Nice pickup along with some other trinket type items as I was on my way to pick up my kids at school. I drive right by it every day and stop if I have the time before getting my kids.

Re: Thrift shop choices: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

Just ordered one of these.

Will make my life a lot easier.

http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/...1/trailer1.jpg

Re: Thrift shop choices: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

Someone I know purchased a vintage collectible item (very rare) still brand new in box for $8.50 and it sold for over $1800.00. I have picked up items valued at $1-$5 that are worth over $100. I am still hunting for the jackpot.

Re: Thrift shop choices: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

@LilyPily

The hunt is what counts.

Have to be out there to find what is waiting for us.

:juggle:

Re: Thrift shop choices: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

You found the jackpot.

1.00 item selling for 100.00 is a jack pot.

Now grab 100s of those 1.00 items and selling them for 100 and you will far more be better off then thinking you will hit that one 1800.00 item as those are very rare to come by items.

Not going to happen every day.

I can buy 5-10 items all day long and sell at 90% sell through rate for 50-100 easily.

Coming across those few items for 5-10 and selling them for 300.00 is just extra fluff on the cake.

Cant remember every item but I have done this for more then 30 years and I am in my mid 40s and if I remember correctly one of my top items was 0.50 at a flea market and sold it for 5,000.00.

Many items over the years I have made 500.00 to 1000 but does not happen all of the time. So you have to go for the 100 items at 50.00 profit an item.

Dont happen every day at all so you have to think bulk, multiple items that for sure can be found and turned over.

Re: Thrift shop choices: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

Volume is a good base to work with :thumb:

Re: Thrift shop choices: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

Volume is only good if you have a high sell through rate item.

Re: Thrift shop choices: I'm gonna pop some tags!
 

Wish I could find some artwork - travelling later in the month so...we shall see :)