Tuesday, September 28, 2010

How do you part with a fabulous find?

How do you decide? I have bought and sold for years, long before opening up my shop 2nd fl Thriftiques. In fact, one of the primary reasons that propelled me to shop owner was my background in dealing. Some items were quick re-sales, while others were meant to be used and enjoyed before ultimately being sold. I love to decorate for the holidays as well as stage complete room makeovers. Both are easy to do when you are working with a revolving inventory. But how many times have I sold a piece only to find that it would have been perfect for a new tablescape design or some other use?

Take for example this little green sidetable. This green is MY favorite green,....... it is already perfectly distressed from time and use and not sandpaper ........... it is the perfect little size, compact but with the 3 levels and the magazine racks on each end, it holds a lot. I found it at Goodwill for $2.99. (Yes $2.99. I should have taken a photo of the price tag)


I have painted all my display pieces in the shop a light cream color so that the actual merchandise can stand out. I couldn't, I wouldn't, it-would-be-a-crime-to-do-so, paint this little piece. It would look lovely in my home and I can think of several rooms where it would work.


I have had so many people ask how much and I explain it is just for display. I finally decided to put a price on it, a reasonable but somewhat high price. That way if someone loves it as much as I do, they can purchase it. But I would be sad to see it go.

So how do you decide? I trust your comments, you have never let me down. So today's question is this, when we are out looking for treasures, of course it is natural to buy what we love, how do you part with your finds ..... when it is an extra special piece? Thank you so much for your advice.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

9 comments:

Barbara Jean said...

Hi Sherrie,
I have a little store myself, and have run into that dilemma.
This is what I do:
If I love it, I put Not for Sale, so I can enjoy it for awhile. When I have enjoyed it for awhile, sometimes a long while, I then put a VERY high price on it. Like you, I figure if they want ti that bad, I can part with it. I can always put it on sale later if I decide I am done with it. I especially do this process if it is an extremely rare piece that i do not see every day.
So, sounds like, keep doing what you are doing. =)

blessings
barbara jean

PS I have also finally sold something, and still been sorry it is gone. But buying another cute piece always eases the pain. =)

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Since I don't have a store or shop space and only sell on Etsy I have a different perspective I guess. I've only been selling for a few months and I haven't had a hard time letting go but, I tend to buy things for me and then things to sell. They are about to cross paths as I've found I have too much for me! I think I can let them go, we will see. I think your idea to keep it with not for sale and then a high price is a pretty good way to do it. It is such a great piece I can tell you really love it. I'm no help am I!

Kaybe said...

I say to myself - "Self, sell this and you can take that money and go junquing again" :)

Doni said...

I don't sell either, but I'm giving major thought to starting. One thing I've always done though is have regrets about NOT purchasing something if I pass it up. I have numerous times in the past seen something that I'd really like to have, but decided against it because of space or whatever. THEN, I can't get it out of my mind. If I think I'm looking at a piece that will haunt me for not getting it, I'll go ahead and purchase it, then decide if I should give it up later. NOW, if you can live with it being sold and have no regrets that you sold it, then SELL! If you're going to think about it and possibly regret selling it, wait to sell. I now might have a number of items I don't truly need, but I can sell them and have no remorse...or keep them and be glad I did!
Hope that helps!
Blessings, Doni

★Carol★ said...

I sell on Ebay, and I have to be honest with you. There are a couple of things that I really, really regret selling. Things that sold for alot of money. Things that would cost me alot of money to go out and buy again. But at the time, we needed some extra money for our daughter's college tuition. Money well spent, but still....

Karen said...

Don't sell it. I can tell just from reading your post that you love that little green table. Bring it home and love it! I just have a feeling if you sell it, you will miss it and have some sad days...

Marigene said...

I never have a problem...I don't sell anything! I have parted with a few things that I was sorry, down the road, though. I love that little table, it is green, which is my favorite color.

lindeelou said...

$$$$$ my thoughts are that money comes and goes....that lil olde green table is a one of a kind....I say "KEEP IT" because no matter what you sell it for...you will regret it in the long run...I found this out the hard way....lindeelou ... if it truley sings to your heart, you will know the right answer...

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

Oh I've regretted getting rid of or selling some things. Right now I'm wishing I hadn't given away a white wooden chandelier to my friend. I also gave away our kitchen table and I'm sorry I did that now too. But sometimes it's just time and it's just stuff (I tell myself over and over again). Maybe if it was meant to go it will go.....?