More TSs Online Sales?

[brianrhc]

We all know about Shopgoodwill.com and that some local GWs sell on eBay or Amazon (mainly books from what I see). But with all the other national and local TSs who have websites (see this Forum's Links section), I'm surprised none of these others still aren't selling online, either on their own sites or eBay, etc.

Of course, they're not going to bother posting $6 jeans, but what about higher-end items, which have much less sales exposure in retail stores than they would online? With PayPal, etc., it's easy to get paid. Don't they have the staff to post and package or ? I posted a similar topic a while back, but haven't found any new online TS since, or have I missed those?

[Jay2TheRescue]

I'm sure there are many thrifts out there that are staffed by retired volunteers, that have no idea how to list anything on the internet.

[Big Daddy Audio]

They also may be staffed with people who can't properly estimate or assess an item's condition (I'm being kind here - of course they are - any number of prices seen at any thrift stores will tell you that most have NO CLUE as to what something is worth.  Did someone say Lalique?)  They don't want to get smoked by underselling or overselling an item.

[FleaQueen]

I've noticed a number of thrifts now have silent auction-type auctions.  The items are in a case, in front of which is a counter with a book wherein you write your bids on whatever item it is that you want.  I would say that at least half of the items are garbage, i.e. fake designer purses, Precious Moments stuff, and Longaberger baskets.  A lot of the rest of the items are at least old, but condition varies greatly.

www.fullservicebohemian.blogspot.com

[Jay2TheRescue]

OMG, the dreaded silent auction.  One item I saw in a case at a local thrift was...  brace yourself...  a vintage breast pump.  Clear glass with a dry rotted red rubber bulb in a very shelfworn cardboard box.  Its been there a while, I don't think anyone ever bid on it.

[FleaQueen]

EWWWWW.

You really have to wonder what possessed them to think someone would want to own that.

www.fullservicebohemian.blogspot.com

[azia88]

Our thrift store on main st in Mesa has silent auctons. I don't like that. I know they go on ebay to price stuff.. I wish they would do either. Thrift stores are for people that can't afford to get stuff for a high price..Yes, I do look for stuff to sell.  We do get clothes and toys for our little daughters. With me not working it is hard to get toys for birthdays and Christmas. So thrift stores don't help putting nicer things on ebay or price way high. and STOP slient auctions  please.

[Big Daddy Audio]

Silent auctions are complete BS.

"Chandelier" bids can be rampant (chandelier bids are non-bids, used by auctioneers to raise the asking price with the active bidders not being the wiser - they are generally used when bidding is fast and furious) - all it takes is some manager to come and insert a bid that raises the final price - who's to know?

Price the darn thing and sell it.

[FleaQueen]

Silent auctions are complete BS.

"Chandelier" bids can be rampant (chandelier bids are non-bids, used by auctioneers to raise the asking price with the active bidders not being the wiser - they are generally used when bidding is fast and furious) - all it takes is some manager to come and insert a bid that raises the final price - who's to know?

Price the darn thing and sell it.

Amen and amen.

There's actually a live auction in my area where they're famous for taking bids from non-existent bidders.  Plenty of times, the item sells to that non-existent bidder when the real bidder drops out.  Then you see that same item the following week.  You should hear the excuses they offer for the item turning up again.

www.fullservicebohemian.blogspot.com

[valleythriftshopper]

OMG, the dreaded silent auction.  One item I saw in a case at a local thrift was...  brace yourself...  a vintage breast pump.  Clear glass with a dry rotted red rubber bulb in a very shelfworn cardboard box.  Its been there a while, I don't think anyone ever bid on it.

I guess they were just waiting for that breast pump collector with deep pockets to come along- gross!  Maybe someone thought that since some old baby bottles are collectible someone would want it.  Also sometimes just because something is in an old looking box the thrift stores around here think it is some kind of treasure.  That's pretty funny.

[valleythriftshopper]

Silent auctions are complete BS.

"Chandelier" bids can be rampant (chandelier bids are non-bids, used by auctioneers to raise the asking price with the active bidders not being the wiser - they are generally used when bidding is fast and furious) - all it takes is some manager to come and insert a bid that raises the final price - who's to know?

Price the darn thing and sell it.

Amen and amen.

There's actually a live auction in my area where they're famous for taking bids from non-existent bidders.  Plenty of times, the item sells to that non-existent bidder when the real bidder drops out.  Then you see that same item the following week.  You should hear the excuses they offer for the item turning up again.

www.fullservicebohemian.blogspot.com

I would be so annoyed by that I probably wouldn't go back to that store and I would also look into the possibility that that is an illegal practice and report it.  I am getting completely annoyed by the Salvtion Army here for ruining the clothes with their careless stapling of price tags.  Today I saw an awesome 1940's dress in perfect condition that is silk, double stapled right on the front and ruined.  I talked to a guy who has worked there for a while and he said they don't price the items in the store and people call and complain about it, but the company doesn't care.  It really makes you lose respect for the charity.

[Sir Thrift-A-Lot]

OMG, the dreaded silent auction.  One item I saw in a case at a local thrift was...  brace yourself...  a vintage breast pump.  Clear glass with a dry rotted red rubber bulb in a very shelfworn cardboard box.  Its been there a while, I don't think anyone ever bid on it.

that's totally hot.

[Sir Thrift-A-Lot]

Silent auctions..

I only know of one thrift that does the silent auction & it's quite a ways from my home, I only go 1-2 times a month when my friend drives me.

I saw an amazing vintage robot, with the box. Would have loved to own it. I thought, hey, might be going for $60 or so.. not THAT bad & it was pretty damn cool. I check it out in the book - $280! I wonder what it ended up going for??