Lynn’s eBay ezine Volume IV, issue number 43

Dear eBayers,

Many of you have called or emailed to find out when our ONLY Live Boot Camp of 2009 is going to be. We have confirmed our dates and it is going to be Friday, August 28th, Saturday August 29th and Sunday August 30th at the world famous La Quinta Resort! There are only 20 seats left!

By holding it the last weekend in August, we were able to negotiate super great room rates for all you future students and the resort will not be very crowded. We will also be able to get the meeting rooms that we want.

‘My Three Top Tips for Garage Saling‘

by Lynn Dralle, The Queen of Auctions

Indiana was a doll (as usual) this weekend and agreed to join me on our garage sale hunt. We only had two hours because we had to leave at 9:30 am for the Chino Hills tournament.

We started out at a garage sale that had been listed in the paper a week before but we couldn’t find it. It was the weekend that my mom, Mo and I all went out hunting together and the newspaper said crossroads Portola and Frank Sinatra. Well we drove all around that area and there was nothing. No streets, no houses and worse yet no garage sales!

But on this weekend, the ad in the newspaper said crossroads Portola and Gerald Ford. There were plenty of streets, houses and a garage sale there! Finally. At that first sale they wanted $2 each for books. Way too high but as I was walking out I spotted a perfume bottle on a table that looked pretty. I couldn’t believe it when I turned it over and it had a Sabino France paper label! I quickly asked the lady how much? And she said “How about $1?” O.K. $2 each for a book that is worth 50 cents and $1 for a perfume bottle that could be worth 100s!

Check out the bottle and what it sold for here.

When I was little my grandmother sold Sabino Art Glass directly from the company in her antique and gift store. She kept it all in the teeny cabinet. The teeny cabinet was named that because when we took it to antique shows for display we would put all the teeny tiny items in it. I remember how cool the Sabino art glass looked in that cabinet because it had clear glass shelves and a light at the top that would make the Sabino glass glow.

I now own the teeny cabinet and it is in the garage right next to where I get out of my car. I don’t know what I am going to do with it but I will figure it out someday. In the meantime, don’t forget my number one tip.

Tip #1: It is never to late

The garage sale where I found the Sabino Art Glass perfume had been going on for two weekends. Albeit, probably not many could find it the first weekend because the paper had the wrong address. But we showed up an hour after it started on the 2nd weekend and still I found that Sabino piece. What was even more amazing is that in all my years of doing eBay, I have NEVER found a Sabino piece anywhere.

Tip #2: Get to know other Garage Salers

After the perfume score, Indy and I headed up to a community sale in a gated community. We were not finding much of anything, when I ran into Coco. Coco is the nicest lady who lives out here now but is originally from Orange County. She specializes in sporting goods and does incredibly well on eBay.

By the way, Coco’s nephew plays baseball in the minors and she had bought him an autographed copy of David Eckstein’s “Have Heart” book. Just for fun she had bought two copies and this is how nice Coco is–she sent that extra book to Houston. He has read it 4 or 5 times and it is his favorite book. Thank you Coco!

Check out this email I got from her recently:

Hi Lynn,

I got a real kick out of your “foot” auction. Definitely WEIRD, love that word! After 10 years on eBay I am still surprised on occasion by an item.

I thought you might enjoy this one. I did not even really buy these gloves, they came with some skis I bought and were in the bag. Had no idea they were there until I unpacked the bag.

Check out what they sold for here.

I hope to see you around town one of these days. Wishing you and your kids a great Thanksgiving.

Fondly,

Coco Palm Desert Auctions (Visit Coco’s auctions here.)

And wouldn’t you know it, we ran into Coco at that community sale. Luckily, we started talking about the sales that morning. Whenever I see any of my garage sale buddies, I always ask them if they have been to any good sales that morning. It is a really smart thing to do.

Coco said “If you haven’t been up to the big Fire Station sale, don’t bother.” I went, “Yikes!!!” That is my favorite sale of the year and it was NOT in the online garage sales that weekend. It was only in the paper, and I don’t get the newspaper. I was so glad she mentioned it so off Indy and I ran to the Fire Station. By the way, I got that Baccarat Chandelier for $20 at a Fire Station sale several years ago. Check out story # 57 in Money Making Madness to see what it sold for.

Remember, make friends with other eBayers and garage salers. As my grandma always said, “It is not a competition as different dealers specialize in different items and not everyone can know everything.” And as you can see from my example here, some of them can become good friends.

Tip #3: Nobody Knows Everything

Well, I am getting ahead of myself. Before we left the community sale, Indy and I had to stop by just two or three more garage sales. At one garage sale the paperback books were all marked 25 cents each and in the pile was an Acura car manual–about 1000 pages. I said I would take this and the electrical manual that goes with it. And the lady changed her mind and wanted $5.00 for both of them. I said “No that is too much”. She said, “OK, How about $1.25 for both?” Sold.

Here is that manual up for sale on eBay. I have been collecting books for Peter to sell on eBay since that is his area of expertise. Not mine. After he did some research, he realized that these manuals sell for about $100. But he also realized that with certain books, the demand can be limited, so it is best to start the more expensive books closer to the price you want to reach.

Click here to see the auction.

The important thing to take away from this tip is that not everyone does know everything–it just isn’t possible and even though many people had looked at those manuals, they were still there waiting at a bargain price.

Another book that Peter has up for sale is an amazing Marilyn Monroe Auction catalog purchased for just $5.00 and probably worth at least $100.

See Marilyn here.

Remember, there are many areas to specialize in and it pays to become knowledgeable in your area.

Talking about different areas of specialization, after running into Coco, I had sporting goods on the brain (her specialty) and wouldn’t you know it, I found a pair of Nike Hockey training skates. I paid $5.00 for them. Let’s see how they do. Because I know absolutely NOTHING about sporting goods except for just a little bit about bats, mitts and cleats. I wonder why?

Here are the skates.

By the way, we didn’t find much at the Fire Station sale this year. Coco was right. But they remembered me from years gone by and wondered where I had been. The ladies were also nice enough to assure me that I didn’t miss much. I know they were trying to make me feel better. But I did buy several boxfuls and if anything does well, I will be sure to let you know.

Remember, it is never too late. Even at the very end of the
sale you can often get things for free. Make friends with other
dealers–it makes the hunt on Saturday mornings even more fun
and finally, specialize in an area that you enjoy.