There is hardly a day that goes by at the Waldo Antique Mall and Flea Market in Kansas City that someone doesn't come in with something to try and sell: books, china, military items, artwork, furniture - the list goes on and on. At least 75% of the time the seller is on the damn moon with their expectations of value. If a quote like: "Well I paid x amount so it has to be at least worth y" plays into it, your odds are better of finding a freaking Sasquatch than making a good deal with that person - they'll probably leave pissed, too. It's a hard line to walk sometimes.
But, there are a lot of folks with perfectly realistic expectations. I tell people when I am buying something I am cautiously offering about 1/3 of what I think I will sell said item for - that's it straight up. And you know, after a certain length of time you'll sell the damn thing for what you had in it just to get your money back and free up some real estate in the shop.
I love it when guys who are cleaning out houses come by. Sometimes their trucks are jam-packed full of stuff and other times it's just a couple of items. I guess they are getting paid for the job, but can make a little on the side if they find stuff of value (and you know they do). These guys are usually reasonable as hell - that's cause they're working their asses off living in the real world unlike (most of the time) contestant number one mentioned above.
Anyway, here's a bit of video about a neat piece I bought "off the street" (that's what we call it when someone comes in like that).
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