Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Garage Sale Stories - Saturday 8/25

FINALLY!  
A beautiful chorus of angels that sound somewhat like a cash register have been singing!  Sales have thankfully picked up and I am listing like a crazy girl to brace myself for when I can no longer pick things up for cheap.

This meant heading out Saturday morning with my sidekick, Greg.  As always, he found more Legos and Nerf guns.  He never tires of them.

I found:
 Gap Kids XL (12) Red Satin Circle Skirt (Is this adorable or what!!)
 Venezia Jean Jacket Size 22/24

How did you do?  Pick up anything fun?

Linking up to 

Friday, August 24, 2012

Something's Wrong

I don't know WHAT is going on but it's been dead dead dead all week long.  All summer long really.  
I've had maybe 3 sales this week.  It's crazy and I just can't figure it out since I'm not really doing anything differently.  I'm not making nearly the money I did last year and it's very frustrating trying to figure out why not when I feel like I have better inventory.

I cleaned out some of the kids closets this week and listed a few items that way.  Looking forward hitting the yard sales tomorrow morning and hopefully finding a few new things to list!


Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Garage Sale Stories - Uh Oh

I received some very upsetting news yesterday that my main source for clothing is now changing price policies.  
 I don't have a lot of choices where I live of places to go and get inventory.
So it's either I start paying more or I REALLY need to hit some yard sales hard in the next few weeks before the cold weather kicks in.  
Grrrr.....

I didn't go at all this past weekend because we took these three sillies to St. George for the weekend.
 We mostly swam and checked out some ghost towns and dinosaur museums.  And swam some more.  It was great to get out of town, even if it was only for two nights.
 I came back to a few good sales which at least paid for one of the nights away!

Trying to list some of the random things from my pile.  I will go shopping and get excited about a few select items and get those online.  Then the rif raf sits in a bag until a non-shopping week.  Because khaki pants are just not fun to list.  Unlike something like this, which IS fun to list....especially with a good profit margin!
 J. Crew Heidi Dress - sold out online size 10
 
Also sold out online

I would love to hear, if you sell clothing, how much you pay per item.  I'm wondering if maybe I just became spoiled and the prices I paid were not the norm?


Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Quick Sale!

I just purchased this Ann Taylor Loft Skirt on Monday and sold it today for $25.00 plus shipping.  
I love it when a quick sale can pay for an entire shopping trip!  
All the other 20 something items from that trip will now be pure profit!
(Which is good - I have to start paying Lauren's world most expensive preschool tuition next month!)


Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Researching Your Items

 It's always worth a few minutes of researching your items online to find out more about different or unusual items you pick up.  Most often the name rings a bell or you can just tell an item is special from the way it's made.  
I would hate to rush into listing something, put a price tag of $15 on it when it might be worth 10 times that!
Not that I've ever done that (cough cough)

Some recent finds:
This is from the line Beyonce's mom, Tina Knowles, has.  Actually, I believe they have three lines right now.  House of Dereon, Dereon and now Sasha Fierce where they sell hoochy mama clothes for tween girls.  Because every 13 year old needs oversized sunglasses, studded heeled shoes and large metal chain necklaces.  

(Lauren is never growing up....I forbid it)

This is sort of a random brand I had never heard of until last year, that I now always buy - TravelSmith.
 

TravelSmith packs really well and are made for those international jet setters.  Which used to be me until I had kids.  Maybe again someday?
Let's go ahead and answer that with:
"Sure!  Of course!  Those kids can pay their own way through college so you can retire and travel the world!"

One of my favorite finds lately has been this garage sale $1.00 gem....

How could I leave that ruffled neck and puffer sleeves behind?  I think this coat is darling but I had no clue about the brand until I came home and did a little hunting online.  
 Hoping this might fund at least the one way ticket somewhere?

Have you ever picked up an item "just because" only to find it was a hidden gem?

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Garage Sale Stories - Saturday 8/4 - COATS!

Greg did it again - he came and woke me up at 7 a.m., dressed and ready to go.  I was SO tired - but pulled myself out of bed for my yard sale date. He rarely lets me hold his hand in public anymore so I'll take all the time I can get with this boy while he still lets me!
Found these Ed Hardy by Christian Audigier jeans at the "formerly employed by Hooters" yard sale.  
Not kidding, if you've ever wanted anything Hooter-wear, it was available.  
 Gap 1969 Limited Edition denim jean jacket - Medium
 YMI Corduroy tie waist jacket - there are pleats in the back that make this look slightly steampunk to me but I wasn't sure if it was enough to list it as such?  It's a Juniors Small and brand new!
 Chico's Black Paisley Coat - Size 2 (12/14)
 Boys XL 14 Wool Zip Front Coat from Old Navy in excellent condition!
  
Eddie Bauer Brown Corduroy Coat - Large
 Anthroplogie Halogen Brown Corduroy Jacket  - Size Large
Sundance Catalog Peach Corduroy Jacket - Size 6
And this American Girl gem I picked up a loooong time ago.  Missed the Christmas season to sell this but decided it was time to start listing winter items now.  Might as well while I have the time. It sold within 2 days for $40 + shipping!

Have you started listing winter items yet?  Or do you list them all year long?


Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Garage Sale Stories - Saturday 7/28

I haven't been to as many yard sales this summer as I wanted to - it seems like every weekend has been jammed packed with family things (which is good) but I miss going out!  
My seven year old, Greg LOVES to go and he was in my room, dressed and ready with his little bag of change at 6:45 a.m.

I love it!  He's a great little thrifting buddy - so off we went!

He scored on the Nerf guns - big ones.  Ended up with 3 of them for $7 total.  
Kept him and Graham busy at a family party later that night!

I did really well on the clothes - purchased everything here for $1-2 each. 
 Younique cropped jean jacket - Large
 Eddie Bauer Merino Wool Long Cardigan XS
 Cache Black Embroidered pants Size 12
 Smokey the Bear plush - I don't buy too much of this kind of thing but he was cute and I've never seen one before.  So I'll give it a shot.
 RYU Cotton Ruffled Jacket - Large
 Lafayette 148 Size 6 Tweed and Leather Skirt
 Eddie Bauer Mens XXL Corduroy Flannel lined Jacket
BKE Buckle Sabrina jeans Size 26

Not too bad!  Sales picked up over the week and I am anxious to get back to my normal shopping next week.  The more I list, the more things sell and I've got preschool to pay for!