Antique shops, collectible shops

[mac78]

Just wondering....do you tend to dicker on price at antique and collectible shops, most of which around here are on consignment. I was just curious. As I love going into these kind of shops, but sometimes find the prices much more than I want to spend. Biggest problem with me, even at garage sales I am "afraid" to ask if they would take less, or a specified less amount.

[chyna]

Not sure I really dicker with the shop owners but if they dont have an item marked for price and then ask me what I'd pay for it I'll toss some price out there. I did get some nice cupboard glass knobs that way for a good (great) price) but no I usually just pay what they ask.:o

[cheapdiva]

depends on the item and the price. if it is furniture - or over $50, I ask for the best price. If it is more than I want to spend, I leave my name and phone number and ask that they call if it ever gets marked down. ALWAYS I get a phone call within a few days telling me they are willing to lower the price.

I don't waste my time or insult the shopkeeper if it is smaller items.

[mac78]

Thank you, I wasn't sure about the antique/collectible shops. I have a hard time asking if they will take less for a garage sale item, so I always just pay full price if I want it. On the contrary, I have had people come to my garage sales and ask if I would take .50 for an item marked $1, I usually say yes, but want to say..."If you are that cheap, just take it". lol

[ChapterTwo]

I have had people come to my garage sales and ask if I would take .50 for an item marked $1, I usually say yes, but want to say..."If you are that cheap, just take it". lol


I have a great story about that...someone came to our garage sale and kept scurrying around, finding things she wanted and making a big pile. My mother and I were sort of winking at each other, glad that so much would be sold.
After a few more minutes, the woman came over and said, "Two Dollar?"

I explained that while I would give her a break since she wanted to buy quite a few things, I couldn't sell them all to her for a total of two dollars.
She walked away...and left the pile on the table!

(Now I remember why I haven't had a garage sale in a while...:o )

[chyna]

Now that is just insulting!!! :mad: Honestly sometimes people have the biggest cajones (pretty sure that isn't spelled right but you get the idea:p). :rolleyes:

[ChapterTwo]

:p :) Yeah, Chyna...we get the idea, alright! :D :o

[Gigi]

OMGooodness two dollars is an insult! Some people have no idea- I do ask if "that's the best price" at a yard sale.

Last month I had my eye of a fireplace mantel at my fav antique store on the Eastern shore. It was 245.00--- but without even asking the owner said "how about 145.00" I was floored and took it!

[mac78]

I don't have the guts to ask something like that. That is funny, but sad. Some people always want something for nothing.

[Zuzu's Garden]

Great question and good answers. I heard someone say that they ask "is this your friendliest price?", and it works!

My problem is that I see something I really, really love and then think I shouldn't spend the money. Where's Memmey?!? I'm thinking I need a little of her Lucy-5¢-advice here. :p:D

Zu

[Gigi]

I one thing about antique shops is that alot of them are top dollar- because they are not the middle man- it's where the sale ends.

That's why I love love love thrift shops, yard sales, etc...:D

[ChapterTwo]

My problem is that I see something I really, really love and then think I shouldn't spend the money. :p:D

Zu

Zu - I physically pick up whatever it is that I REALLY love (because I can always put it back down, and I've had things scooped up before my eyes, while I'm in "deciding mode"), and then I think about how I will feel when I get home, if I don't buy this. I also think about whether it will be easy to find something similar, if I eventually decide I should have purchased it.

And Gigi - I'm with you...thrift shops, garage sales, flea markets...those are my favorites! (Estate sales make me a little sad...for obvious reasons.)

[yarborough house]

I love auctions. It is the thrill of the hunt. The trying to "win" the item as my dad says. It is a pursuit then a win..
I love thrift shops also. Antique stores kind of turn me off as like previously said - they are high. I like consignment shops also.

In the town where my sister lives (down the road about 10 miles) they hold Cameron Day the first saturday in may and october. About 300+ vendors come renting yards, carports etc from the town people and sell crafts, antiques, etc...it is amazing and wonderful...I love it and always find tons of stuff. Last October it was all about getting watering cans- My friend Liz and I managed to snag about 12 of them..it is fun and the food vendors are great also.

[chyna]

Estate sales make me sad too, though you can get some great buys from them. I also tend to feel bad for some of the items and buy them out of guilt. Like the boy doll I found at one, he had been passed up by numerous people because he'd been stored wrong and instead of the peachy complexion of a child he had this weird grey blotch across his face and head. Plus his arm had been partially ripped off. I was just terrified that they'd just toss him in the dumpster after the sale that my dh took me back to the sale and I snatched him up. I tried to convince myself that a doll collector would buy him and lovely restore him but his chances were looking slim. So now he sits in my livingroom/library with a sling on his arm, no shirt (it was gone when I bought him), pair of blue corderoy pants on and his grey/peach face. I need to take him into a doll hospital and see what all they can do for him. The head I'm afraid can't be repaired but reattaching his arm would be a nice start at least. :)

[ChapterTwo]

Oh, Tanya, we are two of a kind! I bought a black rag doll that had a big, stitched scar across her face. I was afraid no one would buy her too, and I loved her, even though she was imperfect. (Hey, that's what love, of any kind, is all about!) :o

Your little boy doll sounds like he found a loving home!

[Windy]

YES! I do dicker, and often times, especially if buying more than one item, they will gladly give a small reduction. It costs nothing to ask!

[Zuzu's Garden]

ChapterTwo wrote:
Zu - I physically pick up whatever it is that I REALLY love (because I can always put it back down, and I've had things scooped up before my eyes, while I'm in "deciding mode"), and then I think about how I will feel when I get home, if I don't buy this. I also think about whether it will be easy to find something similar, if I eventually decide I should have purchased it.

So last week when I was in the Goodwill, I saw an old jar and thought "Wow - what is THIS doing here?!? I love it - it would make a great little storage container for ribbons and vintage millinery!!! Then I walked away from it. Suddenly, the clouds parted, and ChapterTwo's words came floating down from above (with a backup group of angels singing) and I picked it up. I carried it around the store, tried on some jeans, put the jeans back, and bought the jar!!!!

Now, I know this may sound kind of silly to all of you, but for a girl that hears voices (Do you really need this? It's not on the list! What ARE you thinking?), this was a breakthrough! Woooo Hoooo!

Thanks, ChapterTwo!
:p:):D
Zuzu

[ChapterTwo]

, I saw an old jar and thought "Wow - what is THIS doing here?!? I love it - it would make a great little storage container for ribbons and vintage millinery!!! Then I walked away from it. Suddenly, the clouds parted, and ChapterTwo's words came floating down from above (with a backup group of angels singing) and I picked it up. I carried it around the store, tried on some jeans, put the jeans back, and bought the jar!!!!

Now, I know this may sound kind of silly to all of you, but for a girl that hears voices (Do you really need this? It's not on the list! What ARE you thinking?), this was a breakthrough! Woooo Hoooo!

Thanks, ChapterTwo!
:p:):D
Zuzu


You are SO welcome, Zu! I learned that lesson the hard way...
(And I'm glad you liked my choir of angels...HaHa!) :D

[Gigi]

Voices are not ;)--- I'd pick up a great jar to store little treasures over a new pair of jeans anyday....

[chyna]

I have picked up stuff at garage sales/estate sales and wondered why in the world am I carrying this around. Case in point would be the two ceramic cats I got at a sale, they are the cheesiest thing you have ever seen in your life, heck one of them had it's head broke off and glued back on but in a world of things that are more useful and a purpose they are a hoot! And they aren't even small but more like a foot and half tall. One is white with black stripes and the other is white with pink flowers painted on it, maybe from the 60's or earlier but they just had to come home with me. I even tried to get my dh to talk me out of htem but it just didn't work. :o:p

[RoseMary]

Sometimes, you see something and know that it's just meant for you, even if you don't know what you'll do with it. So, you buy it, bring it home~and it fits right in:).

[hcottagelady]

i went to the salvation army a couple of weeks ago and saw a huge oil painting that was "beach related" it would look perfect on my sun porch. usually if i want something i buy it. but this time i deceided to go home and sleep on it. i went back the next day and the painting was gone! i could have kicked myself in the butt for not buying it. i have been looking around for something similar...can't find anything i want.

i NEVER ask people at garage sales or antique stores if they will lower the price.

[Gigi]

Oh I hate when that happening-going back for something! Perhaps you will find something every better next time---then grab it! ;)