Long story not so short:
Last week I did my normal thrift store run. Both of my boys are out of school for the summer, but my husband was off that day so they were able to hang out at home with him. I left the house early because I needed to stop by a different store on the way to pick a birthday present for a party I was taking my youngest to that started at noon. While in that store I realized I had left my phone at home on the charger.
Nooooooo.
I look up a lot of things on my phone while thrifting. I was about half way between my house and the thrift store. If it was any other day I probably would have gone back for my phone (I like getting to the thrift right when it opens on clearance day, but the benefit of having the phone would usually be worth being behind schedule by 20 minutes or so). But, since I was already working against a short timeline because of the birthday party, I decided to wing it. Thrifting without a phone will only make me faster, right?
The reality was, I bought more stuff without my phone. I haven’t finished listing it all, but I know that I bought more low-value items than I usually would have. Things that on another day I would have looked up and then had the discipline to put back on the rack because the profit would only be $8-$10 somehow made it into my cart. Fun/easy things that I enjoy listing, so it’s not all bad. But still.
There were also several things that I really wish I could have looked up. Like the oh-so-beautiful purple rabbit? (is it a rabbit?) above.
It’s funny how my brain works. I didn’t have my phone so I couldn’t look it up. So I thought, I’ll just take a picture of it and look it up later. WAIT. I don’t have my phone! I should text my husband so he knows I don’t have my phone with me. WAIT. I don’t have my phone! OHMIGOSH, when did I become so darn dependent on my phone?! But I so am.
Since I didn’t have my phone with me I scrawled “Rushton purple bunny” on a scrap of paper and shoved it in my purse. As luck would have it, I actually cleaned out my purse the next day. And even at that, I stared at the piece of paper for a long minute not sure what in the heck the note meant. But, it eventually clicked, and I looked up Rushton plush. Check out some completeds here.
No sign of the purple “bunny” in current or completed listings, but the potential for that brand got me out the door and headed back to the thrift to see if the plush was still there. I thought the odds were in my favor, and I was right, it was still there. While it seems that the Rushton plush that sell for the most money have rubber faces (and mine does not), I am still going to list it high and see if anyone bites. Worth a try, right?
Have you come across any random thrift store scores recently? I’d love to hear about them!
P.S. My apologies for the long break in posting. I have been trying to up my sales by posting at least 10 new listings a day, and between getting all the photos taken and listings listed and sold items shipped and normal life thrown in too, it doesn’t leave a lot of extra time. I hope to post occasionally during the summer, and once we hit fall both of my boys will be in school all day (SO weird!) and maybe I will be able to post on a semi-regular schedule. I can dream, right? Several people e-mailed me to check in over the last couple months because I wasn’t posting, which was so very kind and appreciated! All is well, just busy. Thanks friends. 🙂
So glad to see your post! I know what you mean about the phone thing! Absolutely hate it when I leave it home! Sounds like you’ve got a plan with listing…..I’d really like to get 10 things a day listed….but I don’t even get 5 a day done! That’s what I’d like my goal to be for now anyway…5 a day. My mom had a heart attack and was in the hospital for a few days and then my husband thought he was having a heart attack and it turned out to be his gall bladder! So another couple of days at the hospital….and I wonder why I can’t get anything done! 🙂 ~~Pam
Oh my goodness, that sounds stressful. It sounds like they are both doing okay now though? Sending well wishes to your entire family!
Gosh Pam..that’s scary. Hope everyone is on the mend!
I had something similar happen to met, too.
I found some bags full of stuffed animals, each $1. Most contained about 2-3 little plushes each. I decided to grab all the ones with Disney characters, thinking I could sell a lot. I saw a Bambi in one and grabbed it. When I got home, I realized that the Bambi was not just any Bambi, but a Steiff limited edition Bambi. Bought it for $.50, sold it for $90. Definitely BOLO for Steiff!
That’s awesome! I have only ever come across one Steiff, but it’s definitely something I keep an eye out for.
My feel is much better than it used to be. I don’t like when my phone isn’t available, but I’ve had situations where the store had really bad cell service. The experience isn’t ideal, but at least you’ll learn from those borderline buys in the future.
I haven’t done much listing, blogging or reading in a while..been busy gardening and enjoying the summer with the kids instead. 😉
Margaret @ Live Like No One Else recently posted…Amazon Merchant Fulfilled selling and the first time I lost money on a transaction.
Yes, selling for the past 3 years on Etsy has the most enjoyable hobby of my life. Dry periods are never more than a week or so. The house is full.
When I found out I had lumbar Spondylolisthesis I realized I would no longer be able to wear any of my beautiful heels ( and I had a lot of them) I needed flat shoes so I started looking on ebay. Then it hit me, why not try to sell my shoe with heels and use the money to buy flat ones. Ihe moment my first pair sold I was hooked! I sold all my shoes and purses and began searching for more things to sell. That was 4 years ago and I’m still going strong. It helped me get through that long waiting period for my social security disability and continues to supplement. It also gives me something to do since I can no longer work . I’m always on the prowl for a bargain. My Sister is blind but she is still in school so I help her with clothing and things she needs as well. Re selling has been a self esteem saver for me also. I’m glad to see others doing something besides wasting money on retail shopping. We all need to learn how to live better for less and recycle whats already out there.