Rummage Sale Planning - Part 2

This is possibly the most beautiful photograph I have ever taken.

So planning events is not something I am awesome at, not because I don't have experience. I have loads of experience. It's just the energy, and the neurotic stress I typically take upon myself. Stress makes me lose sleep at night, and then crash after the event for days, wishing I'd been more relaxed.

Now I have the opportunity to do that, to relax more, and stress less, to truly and fully adopt the persona I've been faking for so long: that I truly believe that everything will be okay, turn out well, etc. This involves not constantly thinking about said event, letting other people imagine things they would like to contribute, and not obsessing over the details. Because in the end, the purpose is to raise money, and that will happen. We will also add another life cycle to a piece of clothing or furniture.

Last but not least, we will raise awareness of a part of the world that has been largely forgotten (I mean, if we're not paying attention to our own wars, it makes sense that we wouldn't pay much attention to those we're only loosely affiliated with). So on that note, you can read here about what the sale will be supporting.

Love to all :)

Thrift Share Monday :)

Shimano clip-in Mountain Bike Shoes

On Saturday morning, I went out and had a breakfast burrito with friends, then stopped for some thrifting on the (long way) home. I had a gift certificate for $30 to one of my favorite stores, and spent all of it on shoes to sell and clothes for myself. I was going to wait until the end of the summer for clothes shopping, but I had to spend the money all at once, so I split it on my business and myself. I feel like it was a good combination.

Good 'ol Swedish Wooden Clogs :)

I sell a fair number of shoes, so I'm always on the lookout for good quality pairs. It's been difficult to sell high-quality unknown European labels, however, so I've been more cognizant of that lately. I have a wonderful pair of sandals, that look just like Birkenstocks, but they're not, so in my shop they've sat for months. Some things I buy without even thinking, like these clogs. I've sold at least two or three pairs over the past year, and they tend to sell pretty quickly, especially if they're a reasonable size (these are a 38).

Aerosole Patent Leather Pumps

I also look for high quality sports shoes, like the Shimano shoes at the top. I always think about how expensive a sport can be, especially as an adult, and how nice it is to be able to still do the thing you enjoy without having to worry as much about money. My friends love rock climbing, and I found a pair of rock climbing shoes last week. We worked out a deal. They really wanted them, and it was a no-brainer to sell them to friends (and quick!).

Linking up with Apron Thrift Girl.

How do you feel about Bartering?

In white US culture, it is uncomfortable to barter. We'd rather pay full price than accept the shame that comes with admitting that we'd prefer to pay less. We'd rather go to another store entirely than request special treatment. Bartering is shameful. Bartering is for poor people who don't have enough money to pay full price. That's why the local flea market is only filled with Mexicans and Hmongs, right? Imagine how your skin would crawl if you walked into a place with no prices, where you said what you wanted. Ah! The mere thought terrifies me.

But thrift culture requires a good sense of bartering, the ability to say what you want, the ability to argue a little. If you can't grab a bunch of stuff from a flea market vendor, look it over, and name your best price, you're not going to get what you really want. And who wants that?

When I lived in Brazil (and I also saw this in Peru), everyone bartered taxi fare before they got in. And if they couldn't come to an agreement with the driver, they would send it away and wait for another. Today, is surprises me how shocked I was when I first saw this. In a capitalist society like the US, where we pride ourselves on the power of competition, we don't utilize the power of the barter.

I think a safe way to try bartering is to use the eBay Best Offer feature. No face time required. The seller can accept, decline, or counter your offer. You may get a great deal, or you may save a few bucks. Either way, I think it's always worth a try. Sellers often set the Buy it Now price at their perfect selling price, but they'll accept less if offered. Selling an item is better than not selling.