Reminder: Saturday's appraisal event in Pomfret

Here's a reminder for this weekend's special event for antique enthusiasts in the Quiet Corner...

An Antique Appraisal will be held on Saturday, August 23rd at Pomfret School Strong Field House, in Pomfret. Sponsored by the Pomfret Proprietors, Grogan & Co. Fine Art Auctioneers & Appraisers of Boston will offer verbal appraisals for $5 per item. There is a limit of two items per person. Items should be easily carried by hand.

Refreshments will be available, and local businesses and organizations will have booths to acquaint people with Pomfret’s numerous assets, including services, shops and community groups. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Profit will benefit the Pomfret Proprietors Scholarship Fund. For more information, check out www.VisitPomfret.com

• August 23rd is the day for appraisals in Connecticut

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More changes on the horizon for eBay sellers

eBay reduces some listing fees, implements changes in search, and bans checks & money orders as payment options

EBay's announcement came out today.

Fees

As of September 16th, sellers will be able to list an unlimited number of fixed-price items at a set price of 35 cents each for a month at a time. Previously, those fees ran as high as $4 per item, and lasted for only a week.

Payments

As of late October, eBay will be using an electronic checkout system, and sellers will no longer have the capability of offering checks and money orders as a payment option. Accepted methods of payment will be merchant credit card accounts, ProPay, and PayPal.

Shipping

Limits on shipping charges will apply in the media categories. Incentives will be provided to sellers who offer free shipping in all categories. Listings with free shipping will get more exposure in searches and discounts on final value fees.

Minimum Seller Standards

Beginning on November 1st, eBay will require sellers to have a minimum DSR (Detailed Seller Rating) of 4.3 to be active on the site.

Interested in learning more about DSRs? Read one blogger's opinion on why the system fails... Check out: The failure of the eBay DSR system

Further details on today's announcement:

eBay Seeking to Abandon Auction Format

eBay changes search, bans checks & money orders

Some eBay sellers frustrated with rule changes

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Can't beat this deal! Show off your best bargain finds!

A couple emailed me a few photos of a terrific bargain in used furniture they just picked up. They completed their bedroom with these pieces for just $50 and were given a free nightstand as well!

Almost as interesting as the deal itself is the unusual source for this bargain lot... They found someone advertising on Craigslist who sells house contents for attorneys handling foreclosures. While this may seem extraordinary, bargains in secondhand furniture are surprisingly common now.

With the popularity of furniture discount stores offering new pieces at very reasonable prices, not too many of us have been investing in high-end, quality furniture meant to last a lifetime. The advantage of that in our modern lives is that as tastes change, it's simply time throw away and buy new again.

However, this trend has resulted in fewer buyers competing for used furniture buys, and today's prices are steals! You're likely to discover that secondhand furniture you might find at garage sales, flea markets, and estate sales is often of higher quality than today's new.


Tips for buying used furniture:

• Carefully inspect the piece. Is it made of quality wood? Check the underside. Does it have good joints and bonding glue? Is the upholstery soiled or have unpleasant odors from smoking or pets? You can reupholster, but is the piece worth the cost and effort?
  
  
• Try it before you buy it. Be sure it's sturdy and comfortable. Be sure it's functional. Has the piece been altered or repaired? Does a recliner extend and retract properly? If a table includes a leaf, does it fit and stay in place?
  
  
• Measure your space - The size of the rooms and the dimensions of doorways are important to know. You can't use what won't fit into the intended space. Will this piece complement existing furniture in your home? Consider spatial balance, overall design, and color tones. You don't want a single piece to overpower others. Certainly, an eclectic approach can work so long as there is a theme in the overall design, tying it all together.
  
  
• Know your budget. Don't buy under pressure. There are lots of resources out there, so keep on looking! Search out garage and estate sales, flea markets, Craigslist and classified ads, online auctions, consignment stores, junk shops, rental furniture outlets, salvage yards, warehouse outlet sales, local real estate auctions, and storage unit auctions. Watch the prices and negotiate to get the best deal.

Show me what you bought!

Have you been lucky at weekend yard sales or snagged any unbelievable deals at the flea market lately? Tell me what you bought and email photos to karen@avenuestosold.com.

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Looking for an easy source for products to sell online?

Surprising as it might seem, there's an opportunity to source out products for resale on eBay from closeout stores in your area that are probably nearby.

Because not everyone has access to the same merchandise and much-loved products sometimes become unavailable, there's an opportunity to find items that could do great on eBay only as far as your neighborhood Big Lots, Building 19, or Ocean State Job Lot store!

There could be a variety of reasons people search out what just may be today's closeout stock on eBay. Some people live in remote areas and it's easier to purchase online. Others may have physical limitations or transportation issues. Stores in different locations may carry particular products according to local demand.

Check out this eshopowner blog entry for more details, including a few useful buying strategies and tips.

Local store locations:

• Big Lots
• Building 19
• Ocean State Job Lot

Also, you can try out wholesale merchandise auctions where lots of closeout merchandise are often sold.

• Danny's Auction (every Monday night) in Foster, RI
  

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Bargain Avenues Blog: Offering honest opinions about area auctions

Geez... Seems I’ve stirred up a bit of talk in the community for those in the local auction biz!

It’s clear to me that these concerns are based upon blind reactions by those who have little understanding of what a blog actually is...

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What’s a blog?

Here’s what blogger.com says:

A blog is a personal diary. A daily pulpit. A collaborative space. A political soapbox. A breaking-news outlet. A collection of links. Your own private thoughts. Memos to the world.

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In response to those who may believe I am hurting their auction business by posting information... for example, news about the lack of bidding on the part of buyers in a tighter economy, please understand that as a blogger, I do not make the news. I simply post my opinions on current happenings in this public forum.

This is a personal blog. Simply put, it’s my personal platform online serving eastern Connecticut bargain hunters.

As a whole, this blog is a collection of my own impressions on alternative shopping venues and bargain shopping in general. Realizing that most of us who buy secondhand tend to regularly resell for profit, I discuss selling opportunities as well. Although my focus area is eastern Connecticut, because those who read my postings are obviously online, it can’t be overlooked that the Internet plays a huge part for opportunities available. For that reason, I include commentary on what’s happening on eBay and other online venues too. Positive or negative.

Here’s the important part: I have no agenda. I receive no benefit for endorsements. I have nothing to do with paid advertising what-so-ever. I have no preference for one venue over another. Anyone in the business or anyone who dabbles as a hobby is invited to send me their news, information, photos and updates anytime. If you send me more information, your business is likely to get more exposure. My writing here consists of reflections of personal experiences, what I see and hear about town, and what I have learned from reading and research. I also cover current news topics and reactions related to the subject matter as well.

So, just as a restaurant reviewer may write publically about their own impressions of a meal served at any particular establishment (positive and negative), if I attend an auction and it’s evident that the quality of merchandise isn’t all that great, I might discuss it here. If I think people aren’t buying or sellers aren’t making enough, I’m likely to ask a few others in attendance for their views, gather my own thoughts, and write about why that might be.

While oftentimes my announcements of upcoming events and reporting of positive experiences are likely to be highly beneficial for these businesses, I do not put out positive or negative information as a favor to anyone. It's simply a service to the community.

My blogging is NOT for any kind of personal gain. I blog because I enjoy the hobby of secondhand buying and selling myself, AND I love to write! Putting out my honest reflections should demonstrate to readers that my opinions are useful and have merit.

The result should be favorable in the long run... Quite possibly, the next time I blog about an auction that’s coming up with lots of great, high quality merchandise, my readers will trust my opinion and want to show up!

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This weekend offers a famous field auction in Sterling

On Sunday, the monthly Glass Famous Field Auction will be held in Sterling, Connecticut.

All items will be sold to the highest bidder, and much of what's offered will be in lots. There is a minimum starting bid of $5.00, with no reserves.

Some of the items expected to be sold include antiques, collectibles, furniture, cars, estate goods, china, glass, old toys, books, jewelry, vintage clothing, tools, farm equipment, tractors, and motorcycles – from one item to one thousand at a time!

Once you've won and paid, immediate removal is expected. There is help to haul your purchases to your car. Field gophers are available: These are young adults who work for tips, not for the auction.

Preview is at 8 a.m. No absentee bids are allowed. Buyers pay cash on the spot. No credit cards or checks accepted. There is a 10% buyer’s premium added and .06% CT state sales tax will apply unless you register as a dealer. Dealers must wear a tax exempt label visible to the auctioneer.

Glass’s Famous Field Auctions
August 17, 2008 @ 10:00 A.M.

Where:
Route 14, 289 Sterling Road, Sterling, CT

These auctions happen every third Sunday of the month, from April through November. Starting time is 10 am with preview at 8 am. Rain or Shine.

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Something for the weird

I stumbled across a fun blog this morning where weird eBay listings are highlighted. Claiming to be authentic, today's weird item is a "Small Dead Faerie found in Woods". (Odd way to spell "fairy", isn't it?)

" An authentic Faerie found dead in Florida woods. The winner to this auction will receive the Faerie shown in the photos below. The body is 7 inches long from head to toe. The skin is authentic once living organic skin... not paper, plastic or rubber. Withered, dusty and dried out. To this day I believe it to be a Leaf Faerie! It was all so magical that it's hard for others to believe... I'm sure you think I am crazy.... but I can assure you.... it's true! Faeries will come to you if you are sincere. Try leaving them a gift in a place you believe faeries reside and show them your love for nature."

Currently, the bidding is up to $76

Click here to view the "dead faerie" listing on eBay.

Check out the Weird eBay Listings Blog.

Also, if you find this kind of stuff entertaining, check out GetOnPulse.com for a variety of unusual eBay listings.

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