What was I thinking...Part II

Well, I thought I had enough stuff after my trip to the GW outlet. You would think that almost a 100 lbs of stuff would be enough.

Apparently not.

I went out yard sale-ing on Saturday. After checking craisgslist I saw two promising sales. One was in the parking lot of the elementary school and one was for the Humane Society of our county. That's what I really like. Lots of stuff in one location and the people selling have no attachment to anything, except making money for their cause. The school one was a dud. I purchased two pair of children's Crocs for $1. Lots of knick knacks. The Humane Society was a different story. They had two huge tarps spread and piled high with clothes, shoes, purses, kids toys and a little bit of everything. The household stuff was pretty average. They did have a leather saddle, printers, monitors (the old biggies) and lots of glass stuff. Everything in the clothing area was fill a bag for $1. Apparently they don't know how much I can get in one small grocery bag!!. I picked up 3 bags of stuff. Boy, was it hot out there, about 91 and climbing. And since I need more shoes I picked up 4 pair of shoes, a laptop backpack and several purses. Never pass up a good deal. Stockpile for days when its too hot to go sale-ing. That's my motto.

But wait, there's more. Much more.

I came home and sorted my small haul. I spent $12 total and had about $300 in projected sales. Not bad for a couple hours of work. My SweetiePie wanted to go for breakfast, so off we went. Came back and started sorting and getting things in the wash. I don't know about you but I try and wash everything washable the minute I get home. If I have any creepy crawlies I hope they can't swim.

But something dangerous happened... I started thinking.

I had been watching some of the picker videos and had listened to ebay scavengers interview with Raikin Profits. Buy in bulk and get a better deal. So I asked my SweetiePie if he thought I was crazy to go back to the Humane Society yard sale and make an offer for everything left. Just shoes, clothes and purses. He said go for it. So off I go.

They had a lot left. A lot. I offered very low and they accepted without blinking an eye. Oh boy!  Ohhhhh Boy.

I had our small pick up truck and I started packing stuff in boxes. Just stuffing everything in a box. Well, I figured out after about 6 BIG boxes that I would have to make 2 or 3 trips. Not what I wanted to do. So I just started piling the clothes in the open bed of the truck. I took four boxes out to make more room and after I got the clothes level with the truck bed I put the four heavy boxes on top to hold everything in the truck. Then I bungee corded everything down. Luckily I only had about 2 miles to go to get home.

Boxes on the front porch and then spread an old sheet on the floor to put the piles of loose clothes on. I think that the clothes multiplied on the way home. Then the sorted started.

Forgot to take a picture of the big pile of
loose clothes. This is after sorting all of
the loose stuff

I knew that everything I didn't want I would take to the thrift store for battered women for the county, so anything that I was on the fence about I would put in the donate pile. I kept only what I thought would be at least $10 profit. I kept a few things for myself, the grand daughters and SweetiePie. I was determined to sort through the loose clothes before I went inside. I ended up with 10 huge garbage bags full of clothes and shoes to go to the thrift store. I finished sorting the boxes on Sunday and ended up with 13 huge garbage bags to donate, 1 bag of trash and lots of stuff to sell and keep.

What did I keep? Lots of  the better brand name stuff. Some silk, linen and rayon blouses, hand knit wool sweater, cashmere sweater, leather briefcase, vtg purse, leather jacket, vintage trench coat.

What did I donate? Lots of Wal Mart, Target, Kohls and K Mart brand name stuff.

Would I do it again? Probably, but not any time soon. I would go to a better neighborhood and make an offer. This county is very rural and lots of lower income families. We have higher income areas, but this was not the right area for higher end leftovers.

Here is a breakdown of what I kept.
12 purses, totes, briefcases==20 pairs of adult shoes==13 dresses==21 pair of pants, dress slack==14 pair men women shorts==3 skirts==47 knit shirts==14 blouses==37 sweaters==18 jackets==2 coats==9 jeans==2 beach cover ups==1 gown==1 pair of pajamas==2 vtg wool vests==1 Halloween costume==5 sets scrubs==15 accessories, scarves, hair stuff==1 laundry bag==35 items for personal use
Total of about 276 items for an average of 11cents each.

I've already pulled out around 10 items that will bring $35+, which seems to be the higher end stuff. Haven't researched yet but this is just a guess.Most of the other items will be in the $20-25 range. Some will sell single and some will be bundled, like t shirts and shorts. At 11c each, I don't mind bundling things.

And of course I may sort some more and donate some more stuff. I'll do a better inspection when I bring in everything to run through the laundry. I sure am glad that I make my own laundry detergent. I probably have at more than a dozen loads to wash and dry. Hopefully I can hang them on the line to save on gas for the dryer.

Now, someone give me a good swift kick if I go thrifting any time soon. The line forms on the right.