by Ron Hall
Member since:
August 31, 2005

Would You Buy This or Not (October17, 2008)

October 17, 2008 08:43 AM UTC
views: 0 | comments: 43

Janie had to work this weekend, so I went about the business of mining rummage sales for scrap metal.  That metal completely paid for my expenses and even provided an okay hourly wage (or so I thought - see the end of the post for an update).

As a bonus there were a lot of other things at those sales that went in my $2 and $3 bags.

Find of the day

Razor scooters

price - free

sold

At one high school band sale there was a deal during the last hour whereby you could fit everything you want in a suitcase for $3 (as long as you took the suitcase). 

I found a clothing bag, and the coordinator agreed it was a suitcase of sorts.

I loaded it with aluminum pans, brass candlesticks, brass trays, and not one, but two razors.

One of the scooters was a bit beat up, and the wheel on the back looked like something out of the Flintstones. 

I went on the web and priced spare wheels, and they run $5 each.

No way could I pay that much for a replacement part and still pass this on at a price any kid could afford.

I made the decision to scrap out the one scooter and save the front wheel to remedy any future situations where someone was selling a scooter cheap because the wheel was shot.

Now I have three scooters in stock, and a spare wheel.  The aluminum from the one scooter weighed about seven pounds, which all by itself paid for everything I put in my suitcase.

An instance where I changed my mind

Vegetable slicer

price - $2

no sale

I found a meat slicer like this and instantly thought this was a natural followup, but after a minute or two of carrying it around it occurred to me that I don't need anything special for slicing vegetables, so I left it.

Other things I did or didn't buy

Heavy shirt

price - (part of my $3 bag)

I didn't see many warm shirts this time around, but I was happy to get this one.

.

.

Short-sleeved shirts for me

price - $1 each at yard sales

sold

The gray one is a cotton/silk blend.  I'm wearing the plaid Columbia shirt right now.

.

Children's record

price - $1

no sale

I did a double-take on this, because I thought it was a Cheech and Chong record : )

Cheap rechargeable drill

price - $2

sold

She wanted $5, but I couldn't justify charging more than that myself (she said "it slows down", so I suspect it doesn't hold a charge long, anyway).  I explained and she had no problem with taking $2.

Hammer with screwdrivers in handle

price - 75 cents

sold

This is the sort of thing I can leave in the car for small opportunities where I wish I just had a tool - any kind of tool . . .

.

.

.

.

Heavy work pants

price - (part of my $3 bag)

sold

These are the same heft that Levis used to have in the 60s.  Almost canvas.  My waist size.  I just need to get them hemmed.

Solar electric book

price - (part of a $2 bag at another sale)

sold

It's dated 1986.  Some of the technology has changed.  I'll let go of it for cheap.  I just couldn't pass it by.

.

.

.

.

Universtiy of Minnesota Alumni directory

price - 25 cents

sold

I paid $8 for one of these a few years ago.

.

.

.

.

.

Pulleys

price - (part of a $2 bag)

sold

I made some large window blinds for our dining room, but the design lacked pulleys.  Bingo.

.

It's my hope that rummage sales will continue right through the winter.  I don't know if they do, but that's my hope.

I got home and went to see if anyone had trown away something they shouldn't.  Sure enough, there was a big plastic bowl full of old flatware, and a box of "guy stuff" - nails, bolts, hooks, brass fittings.

The flatware was nothing you'd use, so I decided to add it to my steel pile.  But I thought I'd check with a magnet, because stainless brings 50 cents a pound, while plain steel only brings a dime.  It turned out there was a pound of stainless, a half pound of brass, half pound of copper, 13 pounds of steel - in all $2.75 in metal that had no business in a garbage burner.

As a bonus there were hooks and brads and other little goodies.

You might be reading one of these for the first time, and thinking to yourself this is a sad thing to get that excited about something lifted from a dumpster that wouldn't even buy a single latte, but I find it very satisfying to salvage these things others believe have no value.  I find going against the herd spiritually nourishing.

------------------ 

 Where we're headed tomorrow

Janie and I have staked out 5 rummage sales to visit.  What better way to celebrate our 11th anniversary!  In the photos attached to this article you'll find two maps for each sale, one showing the Twin Cities context, and another showing the nearby street map.  Thanks to the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press for the articles and Google Maps for the maps (included here as part of my commentary on yard sale culture):

WOODBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

7465 Steepleview Rd

Saturday October 18 9am - 1pm Bag sale after 12-noon.

St Andrews Church

1051 Como Ave

Sat 9-Noon ($3/bag)

Church bsmt (handicap accessible elevator on Eside of church).

 

Epiphany Church Garage & Basement Sale

1636 Van Buren @ Fry

Fri and Sat Oct 17 & 18 9a-4p

St. Rose of Lima Church

2072 N. Hamline

Fri Oct. 17 1-8pm Sat Oct 18 8-12Noon

Calvary Church

3901 Chicago Ave S, 612-827-2504

Friday Oct 17 9-6, Saturday Oct 18 9-4,

Bonus yardsalers update:

I got some shocker this Tuesday morning when I took in all my brass and aluminum.  I was getting $1.70 per pound for brass and 50 cents for both aluminum and stainless steel.  Today I got 80 cents, 30 cents and 10 cents, respectively. 

They also wouldn't buy the 50 pounds of steel I had, saying I had to have a minimum of 500 pounds, and the price for steel had dropped to $55/ton (I seem to recall it was up around $200/ton a while back, and that's why I'd started saving it, though this was my first attempt to sell any to the scrap yard).  Don't quote me on that $200 steel price, because I haven't researched it that carefully.

Instead of the $275 or so dollars I was expecting, I got $125.  After mileage expense, I've more or less broken even.  I like to think of myself as being economically savvy, but if that were true I'd have taken in my inventory when the bailout bill was first proposed.  I also could have asked before weighing in, and opted to hold onto the more compact brass pieces until the market recovers in - oh - 2013.

.

Comments: 43

Robin"Buffy's Stunt Double" D. Oct 17, 2008, 8:52am UTC
Looks like you found a sale!
Marianne R. Oct 17, 2008, 9:06am UTC
You have a lot of drills. What do you do with them all?
Ron Hall Oct 17, 2008, 9:07am UTC
By switching to rummage sales, we're managing to extend your "yard sale season, Robin. We'll keep the column going until the rummage sales stop, and I suspect they'll continue right through to spring.

Selene, scooters seem to be available out there if we watch for them. People let go of them even for the most minor of mechanical challenges.
Ron Hall Oct 17, 2008, 9:08am UTC
Marianne, I resell drills, unless it's nicer than my keeper drill, in which case I sell the "old" one and keep the "new" one. The same goes for circular saws, but now I have a Makita drill and Makita saw, so it's unlikely I'll top that.
I'm a scavenger too, but not as skilled as you are!
Ron Hall Oct 17, 2008, 9:53am UTC
It's amazing what people throw away or sell for a quarter, MJ. You and I need not apologize for scavenging, and if anyone thinks its inapporpriate, let them lose their house and we'll ask them then.

I did see one craft sale Maryanna, and we skipped it. My mother-in-law calls them "arts and craps".
Dusty Hubbard Oct 17, 2008, 11:53am UTC
Sorry about the scrap prices. That's bad news!
Ron Hall Oct 17, 2008, 1:22pm UTC
The fall in scrap prices was predictable and I still let it just happen to me, Dusty. It was a costly lesson (at least on the scale I'm operating). If I'd hung onto the 100 lbs of brass that fit into a small suitcase, I might have preserved $100 in value, and that would have been worth the storage space. The other alternative would have been to get the metal right to the scrapyard as soon as the bailout was proposed. Prices were still high as recently as two weeks ago . . .
anna g. vanwinkle Oct 17, 2008, 1:29pm UTC
ron - those prices will go back up again - hang onto your 100 lbs.
Greg Schiller Oct 17, 2008, 3:02pm UTC
A fine article, Ron, thanks.

The "Hammer with screwdrivers in handle" was a great photo.
Ron Hall Oct 17, 2008, 4:44pm UTC
I already released my inventory to the scrapyard, Anna, but I'll have another hundred pounds in no time.

Jim, I was just at a high school band fundraiser at 5701 Stillwater Blvd N. The sale had heaps of sporting goods and the school has heaps of kids, so there's probably someone there who would know of nonprofits (or the school itself) who would accept the skis. Another, simpler, solution would be to give the sporting goods to a Salvation-Army-type organization and then whoever ended up paying $15 for them would be, by default, needing them and yet not able to pay full price.

Thanks, Greg. I wish one was a standard screwdriver (both are Phillips), but it's still a neat little tool.
Mary M. Oct 17, 2008, 6:29pm UTC
Interesting. I'd like to learn more about this . . . we recycle our aluminum cans and my son puts it in his savings account. They also take copper and some other metals where we go. How can you tell what's worth getting from a rummage sale?
Ron Hall Oct 17, 2008, 6:35pm UTC
Mary, in one of my Would You Buy This posts, about two months ago I think, I did a little tutorial on how to tell brass from die-cast. Once you have that down, you just go through a sale looking for brass (with a magnet - brass only slightly attracts the strongest magnets, while steel and magnets go CLICK). If I find that post I'll send it to you. As a rule, brass candlesticks are a good buy at 25 cents each, and heavier brass items get valuable fast - even at 80 cents a pound.
Ron Hall Oct 17, 2008, 7:49pm UTC
I have an idea, Mary. Your son was getting about 3 cents per can for his savings. I suggest you track how many cans of whatever he consumes and then make a deal. If he drinks a glass of water instead, you'll put 30 cents into his savings. Of course, he may not be impressed with the value of savings at this time; if not, make it 15 cents for savings and 15 cents to spend.
Wendy F. Oct 17, 2008, 8:13pm UTC
What is ones mans junk is another man's treasure. And you know yard sales, rummage sales or what ever they are called are right up there with going Green I would think . So to be politically correct no one should scoff at those who frequent these type of sales . :- )
Ron Hall Oct 17, 2008, 10:32pm UTC
From my way of thinking, Wendy, there are things we need to invest in in this country. Clothing is not one of them. Cookware is not it. Furniture. Tools. There's already plenty of these things out there. I recommend to anyone that he or she buy things they don't have to buy new at yard sales and rummage sales. Do that, and you'll have the money in hand for those important things you didn't think you could afford. That's my way of saying "I agree."
Kimber L. Oct 17, 2008, 11:06pm UTC
I love reading your articles!!!
Ron Hall Oct 18, 2008, 8:24am UTC
It makes it worthwhile, hearing that. Thank you, Kimber.
John S. (arizona) Oct 18, 2008, 10:34am UTC
Boy, I remember not that long ago when every kid around here had to have one of those "Razor" scooters. The neighborhood was crazy with them out front. I still have a couple my kids used kicking around.
Take care.
Margaret G. Oct 18, 2008, 4:07pm UTC
You did pretty well.
Fran S. Oct 18, 2008, 5:09pm UTC
you did pretty good in my opinion!! I have no place to store any more of those kind of "finds" , but I wish you'd come clear out my storage sheds for me!!
Ron Hall Oct 18, 2008, 6:29pm UTC
I think the razor scooter fad has a ways to go still in smaller communities, John. In the cities, where everything is paved, they would naturally catch on fast. In rural areas, you pretty much have to use them in the road, so it has caught on slower there. It's still gaining momentum though, and that's where I take them.

Thank you, Margaret!

Fran, I'd be right over if you lived in the Twin Cities. Maybe you do? Of course, if there are old refrigerators and dead microwaves in there, I'd have to decline.
Christine Zibas Oct 18, 2008, 6:49pm UTC
Saving all that old metal may not have turned out to be as profitable as you wanted, but you are still doing a great service to the environment by not having it go to a dump and instead be reused. Not sure I would have the patience for that, but I admire it.
Ron Hall Oct 18, 2008, 10:01pm UTC
It's a tossup sometimes whether I recycle something metal or leave it in the hopes someone will reuse it, Christine. I used to wonder if it was right to recycle brass candlesticks, but now that I've been looking for them I find them everywhere. If people like them, they'll be able to find some no problem. Other, more artsy, things I may pass by because I think that's already a good use of the brass. Aluminum cookware? F'getaboutit. I send it all to the scrapyard.
Wanda H. Oct 18, 2008, 11:23pm UTC
Another great article Ron. I love to tag along on your jaunts. I am sorry to hear about the fall in scrap metal prices. But I think you are doing a great servivce with every bit of scrapping you do. As for rescuing things from dumpsters, hey it is all fair game and to recycle those things is much better than them ending up in a landfill.

I am looking forward to your next article!!
Debra C. Oct 18, 2008, 11:26pm UTC
I don't know about the other items, but I have been looking for some good pulleys.
Ron Hall Oct 18, 2008, 11:37pm UTC
My next installment will include a tutorial on identifying scrap at sales, Wanda. It's the right time for that. I'll be happy to see you there as always.

Pulleys rock, Debra. Ever since they helped me turn off the ceiling light from bed, me and pulleys have been buds.
~~ Sarina ~~ Oct 19, 2008, 11:53am UTC
Wow! ONly $3 for a suitcase full. I would have been having a ball with that one! We managed to go to a tag sale, but didn't buy anything. Mostly junk and highly overpriced items.
Ron Hall Oct 19, 2008, 3:25pm UTC
That was such a deal, Sarina, that it hurt my shoulders to carry it away.
Janell R. Oct 19, 2008, 5:25pm UTC
The scrap metal prices fell pretty fast. It makes sense, but I just hadn't thought of it being affected so quickly.
Ron Hall Oct 19, 2008, 5:40pm UTC
Scrap prices did seem to fall quickly, Janell. I suspect there was a chain of four of five buyers/suppliers, and things were able to continue rather normally until one of them developed a credit problem. Another possibility is my local scrap buyer is using the economy as an opportunity to load up on cheap inventory. I will be shopping around now, something I'd never done before.
jeni e. Oct 19, 2008, 8:04pm UTC
I love yard sales but I do not have them myself. I take my granddaughter just about every Saturday. We have a ball. People give her free stuff just cause she is so cute and polite. This Saturday was especially good for me. I purchased a limited addition print for $20.00 at an estate sale, and a 100% silk shawl with koi on it, absolutely gorgeous ($5.00) Last month I found a book that sells on e-bay for $75.00. I paid $1.00. I have found so many neat things. One that I am especially proud of is a first edition children's book by E.B. White (author of Stewart Little and Charlotte's Web) It sells for $175.00 up to $250.00 on eBay. I am just lucky I guess but I do know how to look and I have some knowledge of antiques and what to look for. This weekend I bought three pair of shoes for a dollar a pair. They still had the tags on them. One pair were 'Clarke's' and one pair were Cabrelles (sp) I could not believe it. First come, first serve most of the time. Two weeks ago I bought a used L.L.Bean jacket for a $1.00. There was nothing wrong with it. Awesome. My husband had always made fun of me until I started finding things for him. Today while coming home from church someone had put some 'junk' out on the curb with a sign 'take it, it's free.' Welllll...I stopped. It was metal containers of all kinds of screws, nails, bolts, copper wire (COPPER WIRE!) One hammer that looked new. All kinds of electrical stuff, all brand new, some still in original packaging. I loaded it up and when I got home he was astounded...he says it all had to be worth at least $200.00 or more. Luck. I still have a golf cart that I picked up some time ago...it is an original Arnold Palmer cart. It has to be worth something to someone...good shape and very interesting. Thanks....
Sue * Oct 19, 2008, 8:05pm UTC
Well, I don't see anything here I would have taken home-and I'm glad you still broke even. Welcome to the new world.
Ron Hall Oct 19, 2008, 8:44pm UTC
I'm still buying metals, Sue, but I'm more careful what I buy and I'll be stockpiling the denser brass pieces.

Jeni, it sure helps to know a few things about the goods you're looking at. Yesterday, Janie got a Jones New York jacket, as part of a $3 bag at a rummage sale. I wouldn't have known it from a K-Mart knockoff. Yes, it looks great, I guess; it's not my area of expertise. Old power tools, old bottles, window hangings, men's winter shirts - these I know.
Ron;

e-Me your address... I have an ionizing letter for you. [lost the last one...]
Ron Hall Oct 20, 2008, 9:31am UTC
Thanks, Lloyd. Sure will!
Ron Hall Oct 20, 2008, 7:18pm UTC
Thank you, Unni!
Rachel Morgan Oct 21, 2008, 1:19am UTC
Great Deals...payed off at the end
Ron Hall Oct 21, 2008, 9:21am UTC
I've always relied on deals to live the life I like to live. Janie has been very supportive. Thank you, Rachel.
Palmer S. Nov 30, 2008, 7:09pm UTC
cool
Ron Hall Nov 30, 2008, 8:03pm UTC
Thank you, Palmer!
Mary Louise Marker Feb 20, 2009, 2:14pm UTC
I missed this yard sale story, Ron. I like what you and the other readers have said about recycling and being "green".

It never seemed odd to me to try and find uses for things that people were throwing away.
Ron Hall Feb 20, 2009, 7:59pm UTC
Without going into the whole sob story, Mary, I'll confess that I often had to make do with leftovers of one kind or another when I was growing up. I don't mean food - though there were plenty of leftovers there - but in general I got what was left after others got their turn. That sort of thing makes you glad to be an adult, and I'm grateful for that, because I see a lot of people out there - the "herd" if you will - who want to stay children. Let them throw away their aunt's country fair winning quilt. I'll be waiting.

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