Parking Meter Lamp

[akbjr]

This is a case of finding the perfect thing that I didn't know I was looking for. I found a neighborhood yard sale today on Craigslist, didn't have much hope for it as it had begun yesterday, but needed a destination for my daily walk. Sure enough, wasn't much left, but oh my goodness, there was a lamp made from a parking meter. It worked by putting nickels & dimes in. Great shape, the guy said that he had gotten it a few years previously at a local "collectors mall", & didn't have space for it anymore. He said that it had attracted more attention than anything else he had out, but no one was buying. He had lowered the price, well, ok, it was $60.00 but it was from the 60's but new looking if you know what I mean by that. The only thing was that he didn't have a key, & it's got a lot of change in it. It says Chicago, & it's just awesome. Well, I got it. He even delivered it to my house as it's heavy. I have a retired neighbor who has some vintage parking meters in his "lifetime of stuff", & a lot of tools in his garage with which I bet he could change out the lock for me. The guy who I bought this from, "Joe", said that a new locking mechanism would probably run around $10.00 or so with keys. Wouldn't that be great? A parking meter lamp that operates with change that I could collect. And who knows what's already in the change compartment...

[valleythriftshopper]

Sounds really cool, would love to see a picture of it if possible.  What luck you have a neighbor who can help you fix it up.  That may be one of the reasons no one else bought it.  You gotta love yard sale season!

[oceangurl]

Cool find! Enjoy your new phone, it sounds awesome!

[akbjr]

Would love to post a photo of this, believe me, but even though I have a digital camera, I am a Luddite who is unable to do what I am told are simple things like posting photos. I have to learn. You'd never believe this without seeing it, truly. Just picture a "cut-off" parking meter, the top part, with a nice cream lampshade over it. It has an hour for a niclel & 2 hours for a dime!

[akbjr]

Have to add to this story. The guy from whom I had bought this lamp had said that he would be open to trade something for the lamp. Of course my brain immediately went blank. Well, when he brought it to my house he noticed a little wooden trailer that had been built on a metal base, the kind of thing that you can pull behind a smallish car with a load of "stuff" in it. I needed to sell it, as I had gotten it about 3 years ago for a potential need, but then never needed it. He immediately asked about it & said that he would have traded for that. As I had paid about $60.00 for it, I was kicking myself. Well, today he called, asked if he could still buy it, then came over & "traded" me back the $60.00 for it! Am I happy? You bet! He also offered to bring his bolt cutter to cut a padlock that I had on something that I had no key for.  This had needed to be done for ages, & I was just about resigned to buying a bold cutter as I really needed to remove the padlock to hopefully sell the locked item. It took some doing, but he was able to cut the padlock. What a nice experience....
   

[Pedeka]

Thats all just so wonderful! I am all grinny for you That lamp sounds just awesome. What a great deal with the trailer!

[valleythriftshopper]

I know, that lamp story just keeps getting better, I'm sure that made you whole week.  Better hit some thrifts while you have this good luck over you!

[anastasiabeaverhausen]

wow! great story.....it was your lucky week...see this is why I hang out with you guys, we all understand why we do what we do..and get excited when this great thing happens to us or we *find* something...some ppl just dont get it! just think...maybe you'll find 60 bucks in the base!!! LOL

[akbjr]

wow, guys, thanks for the comments. I just love being able to tell this story here & have people "get it". I have friends in another town who thrift, but except for them, no one else I know would be so excited for me. Thanks You're right, too, maybe I'd better hit the thrifts this week.

[oceangurl]

Sorry akbjr, I posted earlier on your find as a phone, now I know its a lamp, still a great find and a greater story that goes along with it, thanx for the update on the seller giving your $60.00 back, good for you!