Busy week at the mall

[safeinOhio]

Sales are off the charts this week. Today was crazy, the parking lot was full. Same the last few days. I took in a load yesterday morning and almost all of it sold in the last 2 days.
I don't know if it is the start of a trend, but I saw young people buying victorian stuff after Christmas. I talked to a young lady that said Steampunk is the fusion of victorian and industrial. I sure hope this takes off. Lots of elderly men, over 60 buying tons of model trains today. Lamps, the funkier the better were selling today.
Is it the price of fuel or an improved economy. Thanks Obama.

Best wishes to all of you pickers

[brer cat]

1. We had a good week too.

I worked Mon & Tues and was slammed. We had a lot of folks from out of state who found our prices unbelievable compared with their home towns. Good for us! Most of us try to keep our prices low because supply is plentiful at good prices, and we like quick turn-around. Don't know how it has been since then but hoping the good sales continued.

I haven't heard of Steampunk, but I would love to see Victorian make a comeback. It has been a hard sell for years here.

[safeinOhio]

2. google this

steampunk images.

Way cool and it may give you some ideas.

[brer cat]

3. Thanks.

[safeinOhio]

5. Big items for Steampunkers are

watch and clock parts, googles, derby hats and all old industrial stuff.

[safeinOhio]

4. I worked at the mall for a couple of years

and looked at everything that sold and the price it sold for. I try to be under the price of everyone else and it has payed off. l'm going to total my sales next week and it looks like I tripled what I made working there. What is the use of having $20k in inventory and only selling a few items a month. The fun part is buying. I have only gone to a few auctions this year. Most dealers only buy at auctions. I like going to peoples houses and buying direct. They save the 35% and I can sell at lower prices.. All it takes is passing out business cards and using my gift of gab.

[brer cat]

6. We don't buy at auctions.

We buy at estate sales, and direct from people who are downsizing or moving. I also find a fair amount at thrift shops.

I like to work to see what is moving, and to talk with customers to get a good feel for how they react to our inventory and prices. I think that the dealers who never stay in the mall to mingle with customers are making a big mistake.

[grasswire]

7. thanks for contributing here!

I love to read notes of the pickers' trade.

[grasswire]

8. very very interesting

So I should hold on to the Victorian stuff I have, after all. Maybe Victorian is the new mid-century. Ha~

[Vinca]

9. The last week wasn't as good as I'd expected - I think it was the really lousy weather.

The previous 2 weeks were very good, though. I'm hoping when I check tomorrow there will be lots of after Christmas sales. Glad to hear about the trains . . . I've got a box of old Lionel trains in the back of my car waiting to go on display when space opens up.

[safeinOhio]

10. Among the things I took in a couple of days ago.

Green wicker clothes hamper, black panther tv lamp, bunch of various size old wood drawers, an old embossed stamper for a 1915 org. and a print of an airplane, along with a few other things and it all went out the door.

I put in a large antique floor safe a month ago. Everyone stops and looks at it, opens the door and looks in, but no offers yet.

[Vinca]

11. Thanks for the info about steampunk. I was totally unaware.

[safeinOhio]

12. The price of old mantel clocks

has dropped a lot. Most need cleaned to get running and that cost more than you can sell them for. I take them apart and get more for the gears, hands and face than I would selling them intact because the steampunk artist love the parts.. Old derby and top hats are big for them too.

[Vinca]

13. I'm going to spend some time perusing ebay "solds" to get a feel for this stuff.

Are you anywhere near Mansfield? I spent my teen years in a town next to it. (Hope I haven't asked you this before. I'm getting older and swear I'm half senile sometimes.)

[grasswire]

14. how long has it been now for the steampunk trend? ten years?

I've been watching ebb and flow here.