In terms of re-selling opportunities, I think I've made a few grave faux-pas this past week - and a couple of them were this morning.
On Monday, whilst heavily laden down with a pretty full shopping trolley, I spied a couple of vintage candlewick bedspreads in the local charity shop. They were both priced at £3.00 each and one of them definitely had signs of A LOT of wear near the centre - you know the sort of thing, totally smooth with all the candlewick having dropped off / worn off years ago. The other one seemed, from what I could see of it all squished up on a hanger, to be in much better nick. Knowing there was no way on earth that I could carry it home I left it there and went on my merry way.
Over the next day or so that candlewick bedspread kept calling to me - especially after I'd checked the prices they sell for on ebay. So Wednesday morning I went back only to find, yes, you've guessed it, it had gone - as had the other one with a lot of missing tufts. Dagnabbit, now I really really wished I'd bought it, irrespective of the condition because even if it had been worn smooth in places it would have made a wonderful backing for a patchwork picnic blanket. I'd also been kicking myself for not buying the large red and navy leather clutch bag I'd come across in the other charity shop. Nevermind, thought I, I'll go and console myself with buying that instead. Hell and damnation, that had sold too. I was not happy with myself and kept thinking about the adage of he who hesitates all the way home!
So, fast forward to this morning and a trip to Billericay. I primarily went because I wanted a few tasty bits and bobs from Waitrose. Did you know there was such a product as Marble Wax available? No, neither did I, but Waitrose sell it. I came across it whilst looking for neutral shoe polish (which they didn't have!!) Anyway, I digress a little - whilst in Billericay I naturally checked out the charity shops too. I got a couple of things - mainly some rather snazzy T-shirts for my nephew and a couple of books that were totally useless for selling on Amazon - grrr!
I also came across a gorgeous Liberty wool shawl in the Oxfam shop. When I first read the price tag I thought it said £12.99 (sadly that price wouldn't entirely surprise me in Oxfam) but on closer inspection I saw it was only £2.99. It was the classic Liberty peacock feather print in blues and greys and was really rather nice. I thought I'd better fully inspect it before parting with my cash, only to find that it was peppered with tiny holes - as if it had been shot with buckshot. I suspect the moths had been at it. I put it back on the shelf. When I came home and had a look on ebay I found that an identical shawl had sold for £43.00 or thereabouts - and that one had holes too and had lost it's Liberty label as well (the one I saw had the Liberty label firmly attached.) B*gger!
Finally, in the last charity shop in the High Street, I came across a really vintage Cluedo game for £1.00. It was in lovely condition for its age but sadly lacking the tiny revolver. I'd never seen such an old version of the game and the box had c1949 on it. Stupidly I decided not to bother to buy it because of the missing revolver and then discovered that even incomplete 1960s and 70s vintage Cluedo games sell well on ebay. Double b*gger!!
I did find a rather nice pair of vintage frilled candy-striped pillowcases for £1.50 and at least had the sense to buy those.
Totally understand your frustration, Elizabeth - very, very annoying. Have done it myself many times!
Posted by: Caroline | 03/12/2010 at 06:01 PM
How frustrating! It just goes to show what people will part with large amounts of money for, though.
Posted by: Sharon J | 03/12/2010 at 06:24 PM
What a pain, I think more and more people are shopping at charity shops so things go quickly. I was lucky at the jumble this week and got a few lovely embroidered table cloths which I grabbed before someone else did!
Posted by: French Knots | 03/13/2010 at 01:48 PM