Vintage-itis

Hello, My Friends!~~

On Friday I went to a yard sale advertised on Craigslist. My Spideysense should have been on high alert that this sale was going to be a complete bust due to the language used in the ad. The sale promised "vintage" metal trucks, "vintage" postcards, and many more "vintage" household items. The fact that the author of this ad used the word "vintage" at least three times should have told me that this sale would not be for me.

I was right. Let me explain. In my past experience most of the yard sales and family run estate sales that use the word "vintage" in their ads, use the word as justification to hike the prices of the "vintage" items to the stratosphere. I have no problem using the word as an additional descriptor, it can be very helpful. But I don't choose to use the word to justify asking a price that is easily four times higher than one would charge at an antique mall or after an ebay bidding war.

At this yard sale, let me repeat, this Friday sale was advertised as a "yard sale", I about passed out when I saw the prices of the "vintage" items. The trucks, which I later researched on ebay and found the top bids ended around $40, had $96 price stickers on them. I picked up a cute storybook which was in very well-loved condtion and dropped it after seeing the $25 price tag. This book was from the 1940's or 50's and in very rough shape. $25? Maybe a dollar would have been more reasonable.

I turned to leave the yard sale, catching a glimpse of a package of bows from Family Dollar with the original dollar price tag, but with a yard sale price sticker of $2. Sheesh! Before I could slip quietly away, the man running the sale asked, "leaving so soon?"

I said "yes," that "there is nothing I can afford." I really didn't mean to let those words slip out. The man, who was an older gentleman, and quite nice said, "we can bargain." I thanked him but said we are too far apart in our prices. He wouldn't let me go, and asked me what I was interested in. I gave in and pointed out the $25 storybook. He asked what I would like to pay, and I told him honestly given the condition of the book that I would like to pay a dollar. Of course I knew he wouldn't sell it for that and I started back down the driveway. His wife with hair the color of old snow squawked from the end of the row of tables, "that book is vintage!"

I told her that I understood and tried to make a polite get away. Her husband said, "I can do $20 on it." Before I could say "no thanks" the wife shouted, "$25! It IS vintage!"

I waved and walked briskly to my car, mumbling "good luck" under my breath.

I snapped this photo through my car window so you can see that this was a yard sale...

The people you see aren't customers, but the people running the sale.

Well, call me cheap if you want, but I really think a yard sale is not an antique mall. Maybe I'm wrong.

But you all know what the bottom line is for folks like me (and maybe you) who look for reasonably priced vintage (yes, I said "vintage") goods to offer on-line at a modest price to like minded folks who appreciate them as much as I do!~~~Let's hope vintage-itis doesn't spread too much!~~~XXOO, Beth

 

Comments

[barbara]

I could not agree more! People really do not understand that they're not providing the atmosphere of a shop, or the experience, or the expertise. If they want those kinds of prices (not that they're going to get them), they need to rent a booth or find out how much work it is to sell online. My only satisfaction when I go to a sale like this is knowing how much they're going to have left at the end of the day. Sorry you've had a couple of bum sales experiences - me, too, and they haven't even been interesting enough to blog about!

[Corey Moortgat]

Oh dear, what a couple of experiences you've had lately! I'm finding that a lot of thrift stores seem to be adopting this attitude lately. The prices I see on some things are crazy, just because the pricer knew the item was "vintage", yet didn't know anything else about it! I see higher prices than antique stores many times. It's crazy!

[Tami Kenner]

What a story Beth!
People are so funny..my husband always says, just because it's old doesn't mean that it's worth a lot of money! lol
You have some very interesting experiences out there shopping! I love reading your stories.
Have a great week... xoTami

[laurie mapgie ethel]

I went to a sale the other day where they had printed out page after page of items from Ebay. Each item for sale had a matched Ebay page with a similar or like item and the prices were crazy high! I agree that sometime people think they are sitting on a VINTAGE goldmine. They will have a driveway or houseful at the end of the day tho..those prices just don't compute.

[Cindy Is Crafty]

That is insanity. Some people greatly overestimate the price of their goodies and then stand their ground when you try to point out the error of their ways. It is complete madness!

[Renee]

Beth you have nailed it with these last two posts. My trips to the thrifts have been fewer and fewer and the estate sales even less. Seems the vintage vibe has become trendy and everyone wants a piece of it. The treasure in these items is the find often and once that is spoiled so to is the fun. Smiles...(I didn't forget my items..yet) Renee

[Vicki]

Bingo!
Like you it is hard to "escape" without saying something. I often wonder if another family member who has slept in "gave them" the ideas. Yes the ads are "key" to the sale,ya gotta read them with "vintage" eyes.

[Linda]

UGH! I hate those sales and there seems to be more and more of them with all the shows on TV like American Pickers, or Auction hunters. Everybody thinks just because it belonged to Grandma, it's valuable!

[Marci]

I just stumbled across this post and just had to chime in, it makes me crazy what people charge at so called "yard sales". I had a yard sale and did use the word vintage (because 90% of my stuff was) and I was completely sold out in less than 2 hours. Why? Because I sold it for YARD SALE PRICES! I also sell on ebay, etsy and in an antique booth but when I put something on my driveway I don't expect ebay, etsy or antique booth prices. Sheesh, had to get that off my chest. Feel better now :)