TREASURE HUNTING 101 - Long Read

[RG]

yard sales in my town suck! The town has been growing very fast over the past 10 years so even alot of the older homes are owned by younger people.

I have had a bit of luck with the local goodwill, I found 7 near mint red line Hot Wheels for .50 each I kept them for my collection, but if I were to sell them, they would bring in about $125 to $150 for all 7 of them.

[megoat]

We have a few antique villages/malls around here and I have yet to find anything. I also feel these take the hunt out of treasure hunting. It is like going out and killing a 12 point buck or just ordering venison from some exotic meat dealer, you are still enjoying the rewards, but there was no hunt.

I don't see the difference. It's still a "hunt" when you find something at a flea/antique mall. It's still surprising to find it. Anyway....

As far as thrift stores are concerned they key is to find stuff that flies WAY below the radar. Forget vintage toys, they rarely turn up. But vintage clothes are a great example of stuff to be found at thrifts:

I paid 8 bucks for these:



Sold for $400.

I paid 3 bucks for this:



Again, sold for $400+

How about these?



I just sold 'em for $170....

Records are another goldmine. Key is to know what to look for. Don't expect to find rare Beatles records or anything (as a record hunter I find Beatles records sorta boring anyway), but goofy oddball records are where the big $$$ is. I routinely find $200+ records at thrifts all the time.

I paid 50 cents for this acetate:



I just sold it for $300+. Found it at a thrift. The same sort of thrift that has overpriced "collectible" crap (beat up Rambo lunchboxes for $30 and what not)......They key is to know what you're looking for. School yourself on what sell on ebay.

What I tell people all the time is hunt for what you like. I like records. I like toys. I like vintage clothes. etc etc etc. It's fun looking for stuff that you like....

[MegoSteve]

How do you determine what clothes are going to sell for "crazy" money like that, and how do you list them on eBay? What keywords do you use?

Those shoes, for example... they look like Converse Chuck Taylor low-tops to me and they are still making them, so I really don't understand why they sold so high... are they a 1960s or 1970s example?

[megoat]

Those shoes, for example... they look like Converse Chuck Taylor low-tops to me and they are still making them, so I really don't understand why they sold so high... are they a 1960s or 1970s example?

They are about early 80's. And this is what I mean about "below the radar". To most people these look just like the ones they make now. But to the dude that's shelling out the bucks they are completely different.

Made in the US of A is the first thing to look out for. Chucks have been made in china for at least the last 7 year or so, maybe more.

The logo on the insole has a different look.

and that curved sorta white stitching that make an arch hasn't been done since the 80's. If these had been 60's or 70's they woulda fetched more (the rubber heel patch woulda been black or dark blue).....

[FullerDawg]

Hey I went to my local thrift store today.Its not Goodwill or Salvation its private owned.I got 5 Boxes of donruss baseball cards.All 5 boxes with 48 unopened packs 1988.Beleive it or not $12 and an old Elvis 33 record his first when he came back from military $1.00 . I check this place every day or two like I said in post above.I always find something Charlies Angels doll $1,Looney Toon Glasses $1 each,6 old Mcdonalds glasses $3 etc. I love that place

[toys2cool]

yeah that's what you find most at my thrift shops,vintage clothes dealers,I was able to get a vintage 30's Princeton Letterman jacket for $10 and sell it for about $250

[RG]

Hey vintage clothes experts ... what does a wool pendleton skirt from the late 50's go for? And misc. late 60's "house wife" style dresses tend to go for? My mom kept all sorts of her clothes when she was thinner thinking she could wear them when she lost weight ... she still can't wear them and she almost gave them away a few years ago but I told her hang on to them and see if they have value ... I just don't know where to find out the value on this type of stuff, I tried eBay but I don't know what the heck I was looking at

-Russ

[theantiquetiger]

Chuck Taylors, huh?

How much would a pair of the 6-color high top form the 80's pull now? I had 3 or 4 pairs of these things in high school. Of course, mine wouldn't be mint like these because I wore the soles out of them.

Going back to our differences on antique shops; I guess I just feel differently because I have never found anything. I am not too crazy about garage sales anymore either, because other than the model rockets from last year, I have never found anything other than bankroll builders and a few medium finds there ($100 or so profit).

BTW, that patched leather jacket is awesome!!!! I would have guessed it would have gone for that much. The boots I would have grabbed, but would never have guessed they would pull $400.
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Hey vintage clothes experts ... what does a wool pendleton skirt from the late 50's go for? And misc. late 60's "house wife" style dresses tend to go for? My mom kept all sorts of her clothes when she was thinner thinking she could wear them when she lost weight ... she still can't wear them and she almost gave them away a few years ago but I told her hang on to them and see if they have value ... I just don't know where to find out the value on this type of stuff, I tried eBay but I don't know what the heck I was looking at

-Russ

I searched "pendleton skirt" on ebay, had 90 hits on closed auctions, but nothing more than $20 or so. When people talk about vintage clothes, they are referring to mostly "flower child" clothes from the 60's and early 70's. It also refers to disco clothes from the late 70's. These two types are the hottest things going. Another style getting very hot right now are the 80's clothes, i.e. parachute pants, Z Cavarechi's, neon clothes, Micheal Jackson's red leather jacket with all those zippers, shirts with chinese symbols all over them. My senior year in high school, I had the greatest job. I was a stock boy for the clothing store "Merry Go Round". This was the home of the hottest 80's clothes and I had a 40% discount. I had the greatest wardrobe of these cheesy clothes. I remember a pair of pants I had. They looked like a normal pair of black pants until I unzipped two long zippers that ran down the outside of the legs from the hip to ankles. Then they puffed out with a blood red parachute material inside. It matched the black shirt with red sleeves and a giant chinese symbol over the chest.

Something that is a very good find are some of the original Michael Jordan's Air Jordan shoes. I have found any, but a friend of mine found six mint in the box. He paid $20 a pair for them and sold for around $300 each.

[megoat]

Hey vintage clothes experts ... what does a wool pendleton skirt from the late 50's go for? And misc. late 60's "house wife" style dresses tend to go for? My mom kept all sorts of her clothes when she was thinner thinking she could wear them when she lost weight ... she still can't wear them and she almost gave them away a few years ago but I told her hang on to them and see if they have value ... I just don't know where to find out the value on this type of stuff, I tried eBay but I don't know what the heck I was looking at

-Russ

Unfortunately, women's vintage is not one of my strengths. I've tried but I have never been that successful....

How much would a pair of the 6-color high top form the 80's pull now? I had 3 or 4 pairs of these things in high school. Of course, mine wouldn't be mint like these because I wore the soles out of them.

Not sure, i've never sold a pair. Are you talking about a multi color pair of hi top chucks? Hmmm. But even well worn chucks still have value. I've gotten $75 for pairs with obvious wear.......

BTW, that patched leather jacket is awesome!!!! I would have guessed it would have gone for that much.

Actually, that is simulated leather patchwork. The jacket is made of cotton denim. The money in this jacket is because it's essentially a Lee Denim chore jacket with an outrageous pattern. Most actual leather patchwork jackets don't even come close to $400....

BTW, all those clothing items I showed were sold to stateside and Japanese DEALERS. These items will actually be marked up in value for the Japanese market......
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When people talk about vintage clothes, they are referring to mostly "flower child" clothes from the 60's and early 70's. It also refers to disco clothes from the late 70's. These two types are the hottest things going.

Something that is a very good find are some of the original Michael Jordan's Air Jordan shoes. I have found any, but a friend of mine found six mint in the box. He paid $20 a pair for them and sold for around $300 each.

Well, i suppose everyone has a definition of "vintage clothes" but mine is decidedly different than yours. Also, I'll have to disagree about the "hottest thing going" as far as dollars are concerned. The big $$$ in vintage has always been the Japanese market. Old work wear, denim, biker wear, 50-80's sneakers, military jackets etc etc. is where the real action is. Huge timeline involved here. Teens through the 80's, most of the action being mid century stuff......

While some stateside ironic hipster may blow $30 on some 80's parachute pants, A japanese kid will give you $750+ for a clean first edition 506XX levi buckle back jacket......

There is big money in some Hippie gear. Any items made by Peter Max for wrangler is big dough. East West leather jackets are beaucoup bucks etc etc. ....

Air Jordan's are hot, and always have been. That whole market was initially driven by the Japanese over 10 years ago. Crazy money was being thrown around back then. Things have calmed down since. And it's a worldwide phenomena now. I sold a pair last summer for close to $600.....

[Marvelmania]

Keep it coming. I find all this very interesting. Thanks to all who have posted so far.

[theantiquetiger]

I nearly forgot to tell you about one of my most favorite finds. It is the find that finally proved to my wife, that my hobby wasn't a waste of time and money, and doing nothing but bringing home smelly junk. I had a couple medium finds of $100 or so, but still just keeping my head above water

The on line auction site "Stealitback.com" had just been under way for a few weeks and I saw something strange (Like I said, I like strange stuff).

There was a poorly listed box of "50+ hotel keys." There was only one picture of about 10 keys. There were no bids and I won it for $10 and the shipping was another $10 or so.

Friday afternoon, me and my wife pull up the driveway and there sat the box. She goes off on her rant again, "What garbage did you buy now?", "Quite wasting money!!", etc.

This was my last chance, so I bet the farm and told her if I don't make money on these, I will stop my crazy hobby then and there.

I sat down and started listing them just a few minutes later. The 1st key was from the old MGM Grand from Vegas. I put a $20 buy it now, and it lasted all of 5 minutes while I was listing the 2nd MGM key. This key also last 5 minutes with a $20 buy it now, the same buyer. The third MGM key was hit in 5 minutes for $20 again. So, in 15 minutes, I had tripled my money. I called my wife in and was gloating from ear to ear.

There was a fourth MGM key that I didn't put a BIN, it went for $60.

After all said and done, the keys were mostly from hotels along Route 66, some other older Vegas casinos, and Hwy 1 in California. There were around 80 keys in all, and I ended up making over $300.

My wife never gave me any lip again about buying "junk" and dragging it home to sell.

[cjefferys]

The big $$$ in vintage has always been the Japanese market. Old work wear, denim, biker wear, 50-80's sneakers, military jackets etc etc. is where the real action is. Huge timeline involved here. Teens through the 80's, most of the action being mid century stuff......

While some stateside ironic hipster may blow $30 on some 80's parachute pants, A japanese kid will give you $750+ for a clean first edition 506XX levi buckle back jacket......

Thanks for the tips, I always knew that vintage clothes were big in Japan, but didn't really know what kinds. I really should do some reseach on this for the next time I go over there, I can fill up my suitcases with the good stuff and make some money to blow on Japanese toys.

[megoat]

Thanks for the tips, I always knew that vintage clothes were big in Japan, but didn't really know what kinds. I really should do some reseach on this for the next time I go over there, I can fill up my suitcases with the good stuff and make some money to blow on Japanese toys.

No problem. But good luck. I hit 25 thirfts, 20 yard sales, an estate sale or two PER WEEK and am lucky to dig up a few items a month that sell big ($100+). Stuff goes for big money cause it's scarce, but when you do find it, it's cheap.......

[mitchedwards]

Thanks for the post. The tips were very helpful.

I kind got burned out on Estate sales this last month. I'm going to take my new found knowledge and give it another shot.

[theantiquetiger]

OK, I got a great phone call today, what would you do?....

Several estate companies have asked me to come work for them to price their toys and sports items. I always told them no because I would just be cutting off my supply line of great finds that they don't know about. If I priced them, I wouldn't feel right if I marked something too low inorder to just buy it and sell for a large profit.

With this being said; I learned of an upcoming sale with tons of toys and its on a day I have to work. I called the company because the owner has asked me several times before to help her. She told me she really needs me and I would get 1st dibs on anything I want. She told me there are "boxes and boxes of toys, including Transformers, GI Joes, Model Airplanes, and other action figures.."

She says the way it works is if I price them accordingly, I can get the pick of the litter. She said she is not expecting ebay prices, because she does sale mostly to dealers, and she likes to take care of her regular customers.

I will be there at 10:00 tomorrow morning. I am glad she is letting me do this because I cannot make the sale, but I am not sure what to expect. What if I walk in and see a wall full of G1 Transformers or some really great Mego items.

What I think I will do is if there is something along these lines, and it quite possibly be, that I will offer to take everything and place it on Ebay for a commission.

I am not sure what to expect!!!