vindictive primitive bitches a little

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=403x4035

Oh my.

Too bad for the vindictive primitive, a notorious re-seller.

Vinca  (1000+ posts)      Sun Sep-25-11 12:37 PM
Original message
 
I just have to bitch a little.

Church fundraisers . . . I love them, I hate them. While standing in line waiting to get in, one of the people working the thing passed by carrying a bowl filled with gorgeous, rhinestone brooches. Lots of them. My hopes were raised that maybe there would be great vintage jewelry for sale. Apparently there might have been if the place hadn't been pre-shopped. Everyone in line was left with smelly clothes, dollar store trinkets and broken china. Very depressing. I even went back the second day just in case they added the rhinestone pieces back in. Not a chance.

Paper Roses  (1000+ posts)      Tue Sep-27-11 06:06 PM
Response to Original message
 
1. I just found out recently that the local 'best' church rummage offers a paid 'day before' chance to buy whatever they have to offer. $15.00 to get in.

I never knew about this and was a little put out.

We give our dollars for an equal chance at whatever there is to offer, seems like we have no shot at anything but used clothing. That $15.00 does not promise anything of value. The workers come out with the goodies.

Our local school thrift shop now has dealer to come and view all jewelry, another reviews other stuff.

Now there is no chance of finding something other than 'used' clothing. Nothing else reaches the public shelves except run-of-the-mill used glass and china.

It is becoming harder to find worthwhile goods.

I don't know how I feel about this except I wish I was one of the dealers with the OK to review and buy whatever is worthwhile.

Vinca  (1000+ posts)      Wed Sep-28-11 07:58 AM
Response to Reply #1
 
2. I'm a dealer, but I don't think it's fair someone can pay $15 to get in early and pick the place clean. I've seen that at book sales in our area. Ultimately, an event will get a bad reputation among buyers and people won't show up. Same with thrift shops. One of the local charity shops created a more upscale offshoot store with prices above retail. I don't know how they're doing, but I never see anyone in there and never find anything affordable. One item I spotted marked $175 was identical to something I had just sold for about $40 retail.

peacefreak  (1000+ posts)        Fri Sep-30-11 06:08 PM
Response to Original message
 
3. I'm not a dealer, just a nickel & dimer.

What really makes me crazy is the thrift stores that have an "expert" who will jack the price up on an item that would be worth a couple of bucks, but because this person saw something "just like it" on the Antiques Roadshow they put it sky high.

Sounds like the way the vindictive primitive prices her goods.

[delilahmused]

You'd think they'd consider WHY a church has a rummage sale. A fifteen $ donation put together with others $15 can buy a lot of good works. Imagine what even that amount can do for a food pantry. When I want a lot of a specific thing I just go to ebay and look at lots for sale. Still, if you think about it you can find a use for almost anything. You'd think for people who try to be "green" & recycle they can't figure that out. Cotton clothing and old jeans can make great quilts & rag rugs. Wool sweaters that have been shrunk too much can be felted used for whatever...saves the trouble of having to knit or crochet something. I made once made a charm bracelet out of Barbie shoes & accessories. I wore it to my sisters house and my niece thought it was cool so she owns it now.

Cindie

[thundley4]

Churches do these sales not just to make money but to also provide low cost clothing and other items to those in need.   The DUmmies are just upset that they can't find valuable treasures to resell while taking advantage of the churches.

[Karin]

Here's a good idea that one of our churches does.  Each spring, the ladies go out to their perennial beds and dig up and separate all the overgrown, unruly, invasive, aggressive perennials.  Box them up and have a sale.  Except for the labor, the goods are free, and they make a lot of money.  Plus, their gardens are tidied up and other people's gardens get additions.  Win win win. 

[Gina]

I really don't get why these type of people would get upset at someone coming in and picking the place clean. They still bought the used crap so it makes no difference if 20 people shopped or just one.  All that matters is the money gathered.

Yeh I am a friggin' asshole 

[delilahmused]

I love these church rummage sales though. I have a thing for 60's & 70's kitschy stuff.

Cindie

[Celtic Rose]

It may surprise the primatives that churches do not hold rummage sales to provide them with cheap items to resell    Churches hold rummage sales to raise money for their church, and if they find that they can raise more money by having a paid day the day before the main sale, or if the workers (who are certainly volunteers) see something and buy it before the sale it makes no difference.  Money in the pocket is the goal.  I'm on my church's parish counsel, so I see just how many money issues our little church has, so a couple thousand dollars from a rummage sale can have a huge impact on what we are able to do and support. 

[Karin]

churches do not hold rummage sales to provide them with cheap items to resell

  Well, isn't that the purpose of a church?  It's the purpose of a company to provide jobs, after all.  /DU

[franksolich]

Oh my.

The vindictive primitive's still bitching at this campfire.

Vinca  (1000+ posts)      Mon Oct-03-11 01:21 PM
Response to Reply #4
 
5. Last year the Antiques Roadshow appraised the exact item

I had found at a yard sale ($2). I think their value was $325 or $350, but all I was able to sell it for was $75. The Roadshow might inflate values, but ebay deflates them real fast.

Well, that was about 38 times what the vindictive primitive had paid for it.

I don't think any greedy industry or rapacious corporation in America sells something at that sort of mark-up.

Too bad for the vindictive primitive.

[tanstaafl]

It may surprise the primatives that churches do not hold rummage sales to provide them with cheap items to resell    Churches hold rummage sales to raise money for their church, and if they find that they can raise more money by having a paid day the day before the main sale, or if the workers (who are certainly volunteers) see something and buy it before the sale it makes no difference.  Money in the pocket is the goal.  I'm on my church's parish counsel, so I see just how many money issues our little church has, so a couple thousand dollars from a rummage sale can have a huge impact on what we are able to do and support. 

My parish holds an annual street party called "Kirckenfest". Town population is in the neighborhood of 10,000, brought in $850.000 this year.

[Celtic Rose]

My parish holds an annual street party called "Kirckenfest". Town population is in the neighborhood of 10,000, brought in $850.000 this year.

That is really amazing!  Good job to you!