What's your favorite 'flip' story?

[tyler@ebay]

Happy February! I was watching some reality shows recently (Storage Wars, Antique Roadshow, etc) and it got me thinking about how some of those 'finds' appear pretty staged, and I knew that our Community probably had better stories

This month I'm curious to hear about your favorite flip story - have you come across a great steal that you knew you could turn for a profit? Or did you have an item that you didn't think would do well and it ended up being a huge money maker? Share your story below!

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

A number of years ago when I first started selling, came across a binding machine(for making brochures etc) that was being obsoleted. The opening bid was $99.00 USD. Final selling price $2350.00. Most of the bids were in the last 30 minutes. Edge of your seat kind of moment. Total cost to me was a finders fee to the person who retrieved it for me and final selling fees. Overall a very nice windfall!!! Anyone with something similar that's willing to drop off on my doorstep, no questions asked, I would be extremely grateful!!!

-Lotz

[weaversofspeech]

A number of years ago  I was doing a show at a Mall.  It was busy  each booth was packed with customers.  A guy approached me and asked if I bought Local Photographs.  He said he had some from a Local Historic Photographic Studio that was in business for 100 years.  Told him I was always interested and he asked me if I would come over then to look at them.  Impossible to do  I was in the middle of a show and could not leave

Discussing it with him further arranged to see him a few days later. He phoned me at least 10 times to confirm I was still coming. Could not figure out the excitement thought at that time he had 5 to 10 photos

Went over after work sat in the kitchen and he brought out 5 boxes of original Studio Prints ranging from 1904 to 1980

I neary fell off the chair.  These were very historic and showed buildings of the city events etc

I said to him if he had told me that he had that many at the show I would have dropped everything and come over. I finally bought 850 original Studio Prints 

I kept them for about a month debating whether to sell them or not. Finally gave myself a slap and thought you silly person that's what you bought them for!

Took them to the store I had to sort and price and 3 customers walked in and looked at

 them. 

One of The wildest selling experiences I have ever had

each stood in different parts of the store looking through them and by the end sold approx 200 of them 

After they left I was in shock  knew they would sell but not that amount so fast

A friend was with me I looked at him and said "Did this really Happen"? He said they paid you cash count what you got. Did and was floored at what I had brought in

Over the next 6 months had folk come in and buy the odd one but also had folk come in and buy 100 to 200 at a time

It was like Christmas! and this deal helped me expand my business substantially

After the guy who sold me these contacted me about other items he had from the studio, camera lenses,  studio stamps that were used to id the studio   a 120 yr old airbrushing machine and a desk that is very historical

one of the best deals I ever did 

have had many other transactions similar

Fastest I ever sold anything was at a show I went to as a customer.  Bought a Nice Vintage stoneware crock  Sold it within 3 minutes. A Dealer there saw me buy it asked me to step outside looked at it and asked for a price. Gave it to him and it was gone

Another time a friend of mine bought a hard to find crock for $100  showed it to me  I bought it for $200.  Took it to a guy I knew the next day sold it for $400 he in turn sold it for $600 to another dealer who took it to a show  and sold it once again. Went through 5 dealers before reaching the hands of a collector   A great deal we all did well 

Same thing with a Toy Robot  A friend saw it at a Flea Market he was not sure about it so called me  I asked if he could get it  went back it had gone through 4 vendors within 3 hours.  I got it sold it to a friend who took it to The Atlantic City Toys show and sold it   and he did really well with it at the show

That's what it all about. May not have got top dollar on those deals but ended up with repeat customers that actively sought me out and that in turn brings more sales

One of the silliest experiences I had  was selling to a American dealer. He bought 650 to 700 items. He outfitted Restaurants store windows etc

6 months later did a show in Toronto.  About 100 of these pieces reappeared and made their way back to Canada.  At that show I was offered the majority of them back. Did buy a few back  and did well with  them again

I have been fortunate over the years have come  up with other deals such as this   It's a rush when it happens 

weavers

[weaversofspeech]

as a side to what I just related about selling the 650 plus items.   I sold a Mobo Tin Spring Horse.

I had bought it at the Christie Antique Show about 150 km's from here

In my store a woman I knew came in and  looked at it and said That was Mine  We threw it Out!  and you went to the dump and got it. She was not happy

First off she threw it out so what was the deal with that?

second I bought it at a show  right out of the area

told her and showed her the receipt of sale but she was still not happy

when I sold the items this sold  and I shipped it with the rest of the items

Taking it apart to ship there was a name and address on the bottom I had not seen  It was her families addy and name

someone apparently went to the dump took it displayed it and sold it

but it was not me

what are the chances?

[cumos55]

There have been many times when  "things" proved to be most interesting..  and exciting.

The following occurred  in 2008.....

That was a time when  a tour of garage sales was done every Saturday morning, and sometimes Friday.

This was a unique sale, simply because of the variety of items being sold...  I found a few things..... but did not leave.... I looked again from, left to right, then right to left and back left to right... and that is when a book was found  partially hidden under a box.... It must have called out to me... "Come and Get Me"

How much... $1.00... One... dollar... paid  to the people running the sale

Got back home ... checked online...  priced at $750 US.... Maybe It can be listed at $250 US.

Then about two weeks later   A search was done online... The book was listed on the author's website....online.

The author of this book ... published in 2006...was selling them online....  only 2000 copies were published ... each was numbered... but my copy had no number....

The book was listed for $750 US....  and it sat there on eBay with some interest.

Then in 2009... on the last day of February, it sold to a buyer in Hong Kong.

The book sold for $750  US... which was about $950  Canadian dollars.

After all fees were subtracted......  Shipping was $120 Canadian ... Buyer was only charged  $60 US.  The profit was about $850 Canadian.

The book was... Namiki, Art of the Japanese Lacquer Pen.....  These pens were first made about 1932....  and they sold for as much as $100,000 each at Christies in the UK.... The pens were painted with... gold..... and are listed today on eBay....

[cumos55]

Sold a book .... a local history of people in a specific area in Manitoba......with the former owner's name in it....

Did not tell the buyer that his last name was the same as the name of the person in the book.

Buyer got the book and let me know that this had been his aunt's book

[2nd-time-around-jewelry]

As I buy & sell mostly vintage costume jewelry, I have come across some interesting pieces.  I check everything over well with a jeweler's loupe for markings. Sometimes there is real gold in the lots I buy.  Other times there are rare costume jewelry pieces too. Always a nice surprise. They sell from anywhere from a hundred to a thousand dollars.  Another thing that I have had good success with is vintage electronics. Usually can buy them for really cheap & sell for high.  It also helps to have a husband who can fix a lot of them.

[tyler@ebay]

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@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

A number of years ago when I first started selling, came across a binding machine(for making brochures etc) that was being obsoleted. The opening bid was $99.00 USD. Final selling price $2350.00. Most of the bids were in the last 30 minutes. Edge of your seat kind of moment. Total cost to me was a finders fee to the person who retrieved it for me and final selling fees. Overall a very nice windfall!!! Anyone with something similar that's willing to drop off on my doorstep, no questions asked, I would be extremely grateful!!!

-Lotz

---

That's incredible @lotzofuniquegoodies - those kinds of old/obsoleted machines can come with such good prices. 

I know the 'clover press' style of coffee machine can sell for huge dollar amounts, because Starbucks acquired the company after a few years of production, so small coffeeshops can't get replacement parts any longer. I'd happily take any off anyone's hands.. 😉

[tyler@ebay]

@weaversofspeech - that supplier chain is something I forget about a lot, working with individual members on eBay, but it makes sense that things would pass around in a circle at times. 

And what are the odds about the spring horse!? Such a small world.

[tyler@ebay]

I think that 'treasure hunt' aspect of estate sales would be completely intoxicating. I don't sell enough to justify going in and mucking up the professional's day by being a 'newbie' at a bunch of estate sales, though I've thought about it from time to time (mostly to add to my own collection, not necessarily for resale). 

Great find and sale @cumos55! 

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

@weaversofspeech 

One person's garbage can definitely be another person's treasure!! 

-Lotz

[tyler@ebay]

Having a husband who can tinker is the best kind of secret weapon @2nd-time-around-jewelry!

Costume jewelry is a fascinating category to me - I think it's because you can have pieces with both significant financial and historical value, as well as pieces that are basically just throwaways sharing the same space. Having the know-how to distinguish one from the other is no small matter, and I think it's really impressive!

[weaversofspeech]

My Grandfather was one of the Founders of the New United Church of Canada in the 1920's.  Was very well known for things he accomplished in his 72 year career as a minister. He passed away in 1994

Looking through Postcards photos and documents of that time at shops stores etc at times I see a familiar face that I know. There he is staring back at me

My great Grandfather is in the Most well known pictures of Jumbo The Elephant .  Hit and killed by the train in St Thomas Ontario in 1885 he was pulled from the tracks and the local folk his trainer and circus folk surrounded him. My Great Grandfather was standing beside his ear.  When there are specials on TV  and articles about Jumbo are published this photo is always used

[retroman_studios]

I bought a bag of mixed watches from a thrift store for 7.99 and inside was a Casio Cosmo Phase which I sold for $200. The Cosmo Phase watches are getting rare. That's the one with the LCD with the solar system on it. You can track Haley's Comet.

[tyler@ebay]

That's so crazy to me @retroman_studios! Also really incredible to think that we've gone from sundials to an electronic wristwatch that will tell you the time and also keep track of the rotation of the solar system for you...talk about ultimate ease of use. 😉

Sounds like a great find, and definitely a good flip!

[momcqueen]

These are all exciting stories! Mine cannot compare but most involve finding something in the Clearance bin in Winnipeg (something that was a nuisance peg warmer here) but never made available for retail sale overseas and having a buyer in Europe pay 33 times my purchase price for it. 

[weaversofspeech]

momcqueen

just wanted to mention my other half and I  love Winnipeg and area (can pass on  the winter though) We have been out there 3 times in the last 4 years and stay in Selkirk.    My other half's Mother was born in Selkirk 

We usually stay a week or 2  and Pick. A Great area to do so. Each time we have come back with a Van Load . We have purchased fantastic items out there

Have met some great folk out there.  Only one dud  he was not a friendly person at all. Walked out of his shop and looked at my other half and said "I thought Manitoba was the Friendly Province"?   Talked to someone in Winnipeg the next day about him and he said he could explain that  "He's not from Manitoba" *chuckle

The rest I met were great and look forward to seeing them again

First time out I was a typical Tourist.  Got lost driving in Winnipeg every day. I swear I found spots that people who have lived their whole lives there don't know about. Last time I did much better

Many knew we were tourists took the time to assist Us when needed. They knew we were tourists by the Glazed and confused looks in our eyes. One person in particular near Selkirk  did the most amazing thing I have seen someone do  Wont get into it but she spent time with my other half discussing things   Some of the things she said and did  during that conversation were one of the most caring things I have experienced.  My other half left beaming

Funniest and most interesting  thing that happened was in August

We stayed at the Selkirk Inn. CBC was filming part of the second season of Burden of Truth there.  The last night we were there 

hmmmmmm  a film production company = a potential to sell or rent items to them in the future. Always want that (have dealt with different groups over the years)  So I went out to my van which was packed with goodies. Had a coffee opened the doors and rearranged the van (even though I did not need to)  It worked was approached by the assistant set director   asking me if I was a Picker? I replied yes and she asked for a card.   Success! Then she asked where I was from. I told her and she said where she was born and raised. 15 minutes north of the city I live in. Then told me the Senior set director was from my  city too.  Met him his mother is a Antique Dealer and Teacher I have worked with for 30 years. Had never met him before Small world had to go 1200  km's to meet folk from my area.  About 1 1/2 weeks when I got home saw his brother who I did know. Told him I met his brother  he asked "how? he is in Manitoba" Told him I was too 

Cannot wait to go out again  may be a few years though

[femmefan1946]

@weaversofspeech 

DH usually makes more money before the show opens than he does during the show.

For one of our monthly stamp shows he keeps a box with covers (posted envelopes) which he will sell to the general public for a loonie each.  One of the dealers will usually buy the lot before opening for about a quarter each. If he is busy, he will take our remainder at the end of the show for a dime each- because they have been picked over.

My favourite 'flip' is a picture we still have.

While we were in university around 1971, I bought DH a photograph of a nicely bearded Victorian gentleman, framed and autographed. The name was indecipherable, but it gave his title as Postmaster General. Cost me 25 cents. DH was delighted.

Later he told a collector who worked at the Public Archives about the mystery. The collector knew who he was: William Mulock, Postmaster General in the Cabinet of Sir Wilfred Laurier.
And the Archives did not have a picture of him.

So half a dozen times we loaned the Archives our picture for copying.

We still have it, along with another of Laurier's entire cabinet (engraving not photograph) including the guy we called MmmMmmmmm, Postmaster General for years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Mulock

[esclyons]

my best flips were about 15- ish years ago my local video store was clearing out Lion King vhs tapes, at 9.99 sealed, and i purchased all 12 of them,  and they all sold for 49.99$ if memory serves me correctly .. nice run..

Home run hits are few and far apart, most of us make are money on the singles..

[weaversofspeech]

@femmefan1946 

years ago I used to do 60 to 80 shows a year. then   started working on Call teaching  and cut them down to 35 or so a year. Now we do about 12 shows

At times I have kicked butt before the show happens other times it's a sleep fest and sales don't happen until the show happens.  Some shows are great some I wonder why I am there.  Often find other  Dealers can be ones best customers. One never knows what will happen at them

if a show is slow rule of thumb is to buy if you can

purchases are money down the road in most cases

did a show last Sunday. At this one I don't usually find items to buy but last week was an exception. Bought 3 great items. One of the purchases was a very hard toy to find from the 1890's.  

I have been selling Toys for 35 years  and never had this one but always wanted one.   I have bought 2 of them in the last 5 months. Sold the first one a few months ago  now have replaced it

I don't keep the items I buy (with the exception of one  A  Paper Mache Giraffe 6 Foot high from hoof to head by 5  feet long   It was used in the 50's in a Store in Belleville Ont.  (He is such a good Giraffe ( I call him Gerome after the one in the Friendly Giant) I  put him in my Living Room 18 yrs ago and said stay. Hasn't moved since. Now looks over the room with a Goofy expression on his face.  We decorate our place with better items we have  between selling. When they sell replace it with something else 

At this show  I made some money but not one of the best but these purchases will help make it up