Tuesday, September 30, 2008

COLLECTORS VS. THE ECONOMY

Collectors vs. The Economy

Collectors should be able to survive a bad economy better than most. We are used to buying "used" things. Antiques and collectibles are all recycled parts of the best of the past. Buying good "used" furniture from consignment shops or a Salvation Army store is a challenge, but a knowing collector can search and find a worthwhile antique. Vintage clothing is praised by our friends and we brag about shopping at secondhand stores. We are trained to barter and negotiate prices by our years of buying at flea markets. Now it is acceptable to use the same money-saving techniques at local department stores. And of course we understand the financial gains from a garage sale, cashing in old gold and silver, and redecorating by refinishing, painting, and reworking some inexpensive "finds." We learned to repair our antiques, so we have always balked at buying a new blender when an old one can be made to work. We already like to cook from scratch, so let's do everything the old-fashioned way. Let's "waste not--want not." And don’t forget to clip grocery coupons and make the kids turn off the lights when they leave a room.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

On the idea of "collectors vs. the economy", I have recently sorted through all my collections- yes, there were several of them. I posted an ad for collectibles and a giant yard sale with a phone number- very important. I was amazed at the number of people who called early and came and purchased. Then, the sale itself yielded many people who also purchased. Now I have room for my favored collectibles and cash to stash in these bad times!

Anonymous said...

You mention, as does the government; about turning off lights rah rah rah etc etc. However walking down the credit crunched high street (just to mention they have just finished building another shopping centre) I see throughout the night the shops have all there lights on, even some have big plasma screens adveertising the latest "must have" products. Then in the day, they have the heating on with doors open letting all the energy escape into the atmosphere! although youre comments are very true to most, this last bit doesnt really make sense when you look at who owns the means/mode of production!

Take care!

Anonymous said...

I REDUCED MY FUEL COSTS BY WALKING OR TRAIN OR BUS OR CAROOL OR INTERNET SHOPPING. I AM AN EBAY JUNKY. I EVEN BOUGHT MY CAR ON EBAY AND SAVED ALOT OF MONEY. I ALWAYS SHOP ON THE INTERNET AND COMPARE PRICES-THEN I GO TO EBAY AND WAMMOO I FIND THE RODUCT FOR LESS. I BELIEVE IN RECYCLING OUR ENVIRONMENT. I BUY AND SELL ANTIQUES, VINTAGE AND NEW MODERN ITEMS TO SAVE MONEY. PLUS I LOVE THE VINTAGE RETRO FUNKY LOOKS OF THE PAST. VICKYSPLACE1-GOOGLE AND CHECK ME OUT. BEST WISHES VICKY

Anonymous said...

This is so true...I got into my love of decorating with vintage and antique "finds" about 15 years ago. My husband and I owned and lost a business (no bailout here!) and we were faced with really taking stock of our finances. We had absolutely no furniture or furnishings and one day I went into a used furniture store and bought a table. I was so curious about other things I saw I began reading and reading...the rest is history! Now that we are back on our feet, I still love every piece of art deco or modern furniture and accessories that I own. My house truely reflects me..and I have gotten many compliments on my unique pieces. Every cloud has a silver lining and I am sure we will all get through this difficult time.

Anonymous said...

Motor City Pet Tailor

WHAT HAPPEN TO SCRATCH MY BACK AND I WILL SCRATCH YOURS for help, instead of getting charged to have services.

What is good for the economy?
I make dog clothes and sell them on EBay, Kijiji, Craigslist, and etsy.com. We need to start buying American, and producing more American, PUT AMERICAN MONEY IN AMERICAN POCKETS instead of giving American money away to aliens.

I can find Tommy Bahama, Laura Ashley, Ralph Lauren, and all the rest at the Rochester MI Salvation Army on Saturdays 5 items for $5.- Why spend more? PUTTING AMERICAN MONEY IN AMERICAN POCKETS.

Buying cars - you pay the interest before the principle, if I had the option I would of paid cash for a car. I wish I can pay cash for everything. There are Boat Collectors that flip boats here in Michigan. PUT AMERICAN MONEY IN AMERICAN POCKETS TRY NOT TO USE CREDIT YOU WILL GET AHEAD MICROECONOMICALLY AS WELL AS MACROECONOMICALLY. MOST OTHER COUNTRIES DON'T USE CREDIT LIKE US, THEY HAVENT THE CHOICE, MUST BE FOR A REASON!

Anonymous said...

well lets see the economy is so great that I am cleaning out my house. Lookin for info on Wooden baby furniture.....years ago my mom had it refinished and the person who did it called it Lincoln Furniture....I have 3 pieces....rocker,potty chair, and a high chair. What is its value?

Anonymous said...

And recycle! I was amazed how many beer bottles. plastic water bottles & cans I picked up from my local regional parks (for which I pay property taxes). Ya never know what you find buried in the dirt.

Anonymous said...

In your article "Collectors vs. the Economy", you mentioned that collectors are trained to "barter" and negotiate prices.
I think the word should be "bargain". "Barter" means there is an exchange of one commodity for another.

Anonymous said...

It'a about time our elected representatives learn something from those who elected them..how to be 'frugile' and how to 'survive' governmental abuse.

Anonymous said...

I think another great way to survive this terrible economy is to grow your own garden. From one small garden you can supply all the vegetables your family will need for a very low cosy.

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy reading your weekly newsletter, but I find the flashing "sponsers announcements" very annoying and distracting

Anonymous said...

I agree fully! I just went thru my house and garage and had a rummage sale that netted $500. Then I went to a great auction and fround a Toro leaf blower for $10 plus an electic bedpad in perfect shape for $1. There was a beautiful bedroom set that went for $15. Why would young people pay high prices at a furniture store.

Anonymous said...

I so agree with "waste not, want not". Our 2 recycle cans are fuller than our one garbage can. I sell online and buy my goods from thrift stores, garage/estate sales. It's amazing what some people are willing to give away! And my general rule is to never pay full price for anything, eventually it will go on sale or I didn't NEED it anyway!

Anonymous said...

My husband and I laugh when we hear all the "latest" advice on "reuse & recycle" as we have been doing that WITHOUT anyone having to tell us that, since the early 70's. We have always looked at something BEFORE we throw it out to think if we could possibly use it in some other way. Granted it can cause clutter as you store things for future use, but I can't count how many times that someone has said to me "WOW that's JUST what I needed! How did you happen to have it?" We have also been VERY aware of saving energy and water. And we either sell or donate useful items that we can't use anymore. The bottom line is that NONE of these things is very hard to do, it just takes opening you eyes, and being aware of the world around you.