front porch trash

front porch trash

Saturday, June 7, 2014

What was I thinking?

Well, maybe the title should be, "I wasn't thinking!"

I made the trek to the GW outlet this week. My last trip was on April 1st and I had so much stuff, things to do that I didn't get the chance to go in May like I was planning. I think I made up for it this trip.

This was my third trip this year and with each trip you learn new things. I still don't like bellying up to the bins and fighting for everything. Most of the time you can't get the thing you have your eye on anyway and it just pays to wait until all of the vultures drift off to take your time and check out everything.



It also pays to grab something when you find it and hold on until you find what matches. The boots at the top of the photo are a good example. I found one boot in a bin on the left side all the way in the back. I looked all the bins over and found the other one in a bin that had just been brought out. They are hi end suede boots with wood soles from Australia, Jambu brand.

I didn't take the time to sort through the clothing bins because all I saw were a lot of cheap jeans, bedding and winter coats. I looked through one or two bins but most had just ordinary stuff and it would be cheaper to buy it priced than by the pound. I did pick up those bright green rubber motorcycle rain overalls as I walked by. They looked like quality and were in good shape. I didn't recognize the brand, Rukka, Made in Finland. I didn't look them up because reception on my phone is terrible in that warehouse and sometimes it takes 10 minutes just to finally get a signal. Glad I picked them up. I can't find anything like them listed, but all of this brand is priced really high. Score!!

Thursday must be shoe day at the outlet. On Wednesday there were barely any shoes in any of the bins. On Thursday they brought out 6 or 7 bins with just shoes. All total, I bought 45 pairs of shoes (some from other thrifts). One "pair" is miss matched, on purpose this time. They both were high quality shoes that I never did find the mate. One men and one women's.
See the brown shoe at the bottom? That is a Dr. Comfort diabetic shoe. I have sold a couple pair of these before. These are size 12 extra wide. I have a brown and black pair. Previous sales were for new shoes, but after checking, these should do well.

This little beauty was laying with a bunch of broken stuff and I gasped when I found her. I am amazed that she survived the rough life in the outlet bin. She's a 14" vintage 40's Mary Hoyer doll. Mohair wig is excellent, still has the net. She is rather stretched out and will have to be restrung, but in really great shape. I can restring her with no problem. No eyelashes, but her sleep eyes work. Red hair, blue eyes. No chips or cracks in her body. Just a little dirt. She weighs less than a pound so she probably cost me$1.


I saw this big box on top of a toy bin when they rolled it out. I thought someone would pick it up right away. Nope. I strolled over after the crowd broke up and put it in my cart. Checked the box and it is still in the original sealed packaging inside, outside the box has been taped on the ends. Still $30-40 is nothing to sneeze at.

In total I bought 86 pounds of stuff. The shoes were heavy so they cost an average of about a $1.50 a pair. I also got toys, household stuff and a couple of Halloween costumes. I am happy with my stuff. I am just not looking forward to getting everything cleaned and polished.

All total I spent about $300 on everything. Gas, food, motel, and inventory. I researched most of the bigger items on ebay and they should bring about $1500 to $1600. That doesn't include any of the smaller items. Not a bad return for my dollar. Now the "fun" starts.

Off to dig, sort, clean and other fun stuff. Hope everyone finds at least one treasure this weekend yard sale-ing. I have a little bit of room for just one more box of stuff!!!

10 comments:

  1. Wow, you did awesome at the outlet!! I haven't been to my outlet since April. Like you, I didn't go in May as I had planned. Now seeing your post and all the great stuff you got, I am itching to go this coming week. And also like you I try to stay away from the feeding frenzy when new bins come out, although once in a while I do "belly up" LOL.

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    1. It will be a while before I go back to the outlet. My daughter and I have a trip planned Labor Day week to Atlanta and I get to go thrifting for 4 days in a row. So everything has to be caught up before then.

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  2. We dont have an outlet here and Im not about to drive the 3 hours to one in the state Good luck on your sales

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  3. You did great! If we had an outlet anywhere near us, I would so be there, but the nearest one is 2 hours away.

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    1. This outlet is the closest one to me and it is 2 1/2 hours away. But since I don't go very ofter I try to make my trip count by going two days. I sure hope it pays off.

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  4. I glanced here and there for quality fabrics but didn't find any that stood out as quality. I have a dozen or so ready to list so I'm holding out for the better brands.

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  5. We have one in the next state, Indianan, but it's only about a 45 minute drive. I'd like to go, but not sure I'm ready for that! LOL.

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    1. I wish this outlet were that close. Of course when you live out in the middle of nowhere, like we do, it is a long way to the "real world". It really is an experience and not for the faint of heart.

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  6. There's an outlet on the other side of town from me, and I've only ever gone once and it was a couple years ago. It wasn't a great experience. Maybe I'll try it again in the fall when my youngest starts preschool. I'm not up for the mayhem when I have to have kids in tow. :-)

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    1. Definitely not the place for kids. I always wear gloves when digging in the bins because there is sharp metal, broken glass and it's just plain dirty.

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