The Winter Months

I have not posted for awhile because there isn't as much activity during the winter months. There are less garage sales so I have to rely on thrift stores, Goodwills, etc. Maybe the occasional flea market. But I will continue to post any good findings that I come across. 

Besides the rainy weather that we may have during the winter, there is also the holidays that take up my time. 

So keep checking in as I'll occasionally post things I find. I will resume more frequent postings come springtime.

Happy Holidays to all!

October 2, 2010

Sales were ok this weekend. Picked up a few things.

I got this awesome baseball glove at a thrift store for $7!  It is a Mickey Mantle model and is in pristine condition. It looks like it did when it was new back in the late 50’s/early 60’s. I was so excited to get this because Mickey Mantle was one of my favorite baseball players. This was my find of the week for sure!

The pictures are part of my Mom’s collection. She has collected these from all over the country and she’s had them for 40+ years. They were made up of cloth, paper and (sometimes) human hair. They are fabulous works of art.

Sunday 26 2010

If you live in the east bay -VALLEJO, this is a great thrift store.
I have been finding great stuff there for many years.

ECO THRIFT

490 Redwood St
Vallejo, CA 94590

Sales on Sat., 9/25/10

It was a nice hot day today in San Francisco. Great day for sales and there were quite a few of them. I got some cool stuff today and went to some great sales.

I went to a sale at 14th St. & Sanchez in San Francisco today. It was a well put together sale. Lots of stuff and great prices. That’s key to having a good sale...variety of stuff and low prices. Good things in their free pile as well. A bonus point for their sale? Being a few doors down from the bank! That is always good because when people run out of cash and tell you they’ll be back, they have to get money...they never come back. So having a bank right there means they won’t drive away and not come back! But, going back to what I got...picked up the cool cow bell shown above for $1! I love it...I think its super cool. Got some other little things that aren’t shown. Dipped into the free pile as well. Good sale! 

The next good sale was at 31st Ave & Quintara in SF. She had lots of stuff and good prices. If you are in that area tomorrow (9/26), stop by as she is having “fill a paper grocery bag with books or clothes for $1”. I picked up a tortilla press for a $1. Now I have to learn how to make tortillas! Again, good sale!

Now, as for the other stuff in the pics above:

The chair I got a garage sale in Vallejo for $2. Its a great little metal chair that I saw in a store on Valencia St. in SF for $95! Insane! But what a deal. Don’t ask how much the matching table was! 

The long hallway shelf/table I rescued from a home. Its about 7 feet long and beautiful. Great pick...especially since it was free!

The little white McCormick crock I got at a sale today. I think its about 20 years old. Bought it for a $1! Pretty cool.

The records I got at a storage place...in their free area! These are super old records...and the metal case is too. From the 40‘s. The records were a bit dirty but cleaned ‘em up and they still work! They are fragile though. My Mom loves them...all the music she listened to when she was younger.

The Mobil Oil signs I got years ago at a garage sale in SF for $2. They are vintage...not reproductions. Porcelain over metal. When I saw them, I had to buy them. 

Thanks for reading! Remember, someone’s junk is another man’s treasure! Happy sales!

Went to sales only in San Francisco. Weather was a factor so stayed local.  

The main thing when weather is questionable is that sometimes people end up NOT having their sale - but don't post any kind of notice. So you go to the address and find out ,,,NO SALE! But if they do go on with their sale, they usually price things well so they can sell and close up quicker.

Here is a sample of my 8-Ball obsession. 

The rest is what I picked up this weekend. The Pepsi-Cola sign I got for 50 cents. Not sure if its a reproduction or not. The cookbook is from 1960 and I bought it for $1. The vase/pitcher was a $1. The horns were $3 for all of them. The skeleton was $5. Rocky & Bullwinkle are from the early/mid-60's and I picked them up for $1 (for both). Bullwinkle still talks too. The encyclopedia set is from the 60's and I got the whole set for $5. I had a set just like it when I was a kid - it was the internet before the internet!

Since we are coming to the end of nice weather across the country, sales should be picking up! People usually have one last sale before Fall kicks in - cleaning out their stuff before bad weather starts. So keep an eye out!

Sept 14 .... This weekend was good yard sale weekend .
We went up north to Vallejo and Benicia Ca
Lots of small sales and good prices
Didn't come home with a lot  still did well
13in WWE undertaker 1.00
vintage cedar box 50 cents
Magic 8 ball 25 cents
Cool sword 2.00

plus lots of good books and DVDs

The Magic 8 Ball well play a recurring theme in my blog
If I see one at a sale I buy it .That means I have SO MANY 8balls now...lol
Just one of the weird Things I do...

Till next keep looking and hunting
good luck

Welcome to my blog!

Hello all My name is Mike Im 50 yrs old I live and work in San Francisco .
I have been a Yard /garage/estate/ and thrift store enthusiast for most of my life. I have inherited a love of garage sales and the like from my Mom. My blog will consist of my sharing of what I find on my weekly adventures, tips for going to and having garage sales and sharing of what YOU find.


My first post will consist of tips and rules:
1. Everything has a price.. But be aware of YOUR budget.
2. All prices are negotiable Learn how to work a price  example if something is 10$ DON'T! say I give you a doller  start around 7$ and work back in forth till you make the sale.
3. Buy what you Like
4. If you feel its to good to pass up Dont pass it up Remember the time to buy is NOW
5.Dont feel you need to buy something at every sale you go to .
6. never insult the seller stuff
7. If you are planning to resell any item, do your research first. You want to make a profit so if the selling price is too high, you may want to reconsider.
8. If there is a free box...always take a peek!
9. Come prepared with small bills and change.  Start with at least $20 in ones.
10. NEVER steal at a garage sale. That's just so low.


Estate Sale rules:
1. Respect the house as if it were your own.
2. Never enter areas that are off limits.
3. Look at everything. An estate sale may not be organized well.
4. Be aware that estate sale prices are sometime much higher  than at garage sales.
5. Hey, take time to look at the house. That can be fun too.


Picking & Free Style Rules:
1. If you see someone throwing something away, never be afraid to ask if you can have it or if its for sale. If its for sale, let the negotiation begin!
2. Don't trespass. Ask permission.
3. If you live in a large city, the sidewalk can be a great time to look for stuff. When people are moving in/out, they always leave stuff out that they don't want anymore..  Look around the beginning or end of the month.


The last rule for all...always say thank you and wish them a good luck with their sale.


Look for my weekly blog. I'll be posting rules for having a garage sale soon.


Thanks for reading!


Mikey