antique road trip: pipe dream or good idea?
Laura Friedman
I am a longtime lurker, sometimes poster.
OK, so this crazy idea started with my mother, who lives in Massachusetts,
threatening to throw away two lovely old inlaid art deco dressers I bought
when I was about 17 (for $75 a piece at a yard sale!) because she needs the
space.
Unacceptable.
However, my house is Danish Modernish, so the dressers obviously wouldn't
work in my home. Instead, I offered to take off her hands a mediocre but
usable Danish Modern bedroom set and couch, hence making room in her
turn-of-the-century house for said deco furniture, and also helping to
furnish my house.
However, I live in Los Angeles, and it doesn't really make sense to ship
mediocre furniture across the country.
Bingo! Boyfriend suggests combining furniture issue with little vacation,
and renting a Uhaul type thingie and driving it across the country (5 days
in a car having the added benefit of either pushing us further towards
marriage or ending our relationship forever).
What's this rambling all about, you ask. Well, here is the lead in to my
question.
I have been operating a very small but rather successful side hobby-type
business dealing in antiques, mostly vintage costume jewelry and art glass.
I spend a lot of time at flea markets, shows, and in stores. I do well
selling both to antique stores, and also on yabe.
By no means do I consider myself anything close to an antiques dealer or
expert on anything. However, I do have something of a sense of what kind of
styles are hot at the moment in Los Angeles, and what type of knick knacks
will generally do well on yabe.
Does it make sense for me to turn my furniture driving trip into a quasi
antiques buying trip? I would certainly have room in the truck.
And if so, what routes are good and bad?
I am thinking of dropping downwards and traveling trough the south, but
because it is more interesting than the Midwest, and because I thought I
might find a larger variety of stuff.
Also, should I limit myself to flea markets, estate sales and stores, or are
there ways to nicely approach private citizens in small towns whilst passing
through?
Is this a really bad idea?
Any ideas, suggestions, warnings, scoldings, etc.?
Thanks in advance,
Laura
Charleen Bunjiovianna
>
>Bingo! Boyfriend suggests combining furniture issue with little vacation,
>and renting a Uhaul type thingie and driving it across the country (5 days
>in a car having the added benefit of either pushing us further towards
>marriage or ending our relationship forever).
Did someone say "road trip"?
Yeah!!
Not to dampen your enthusiasm (because I think it's basically a great idea)
but I need to mention a couple things.
One, five days is driving a truck straight-through. You do not stop and shop.
You don't have time. I would budget eight or nine days for this trip.
I drove across country last August and not counting the two days I stopped
in Vegas, it still took two days longer than I thought it would.
Two, they see you coming. The Interstates are littered with giant signs
for equally large antique malls, where everything is marked at Kovel's or
Schroeder's prices.
Three, get a copy of _Roadfood_. Otherwide you're doomed to dine at the
Golden Arches, Waffle House and Shoney's.
Three(a), other states do not ban smoking in restaurants like California
does, which is always a shock to us no matter how often we travel out
of state.
Four, take a look at a U.S. flea market guide. I really think you should
try the flea markets after you do some research about which are likely
to have the sort of things you want. There are flea markets somewhere
in the U.S. every day and with some planning, you can hit three or four.
Five, right or wrong, adventure or disaster, wedded bliss or singlehood,
this is one trip you *will* remember the rest of your life.
America is grand. Even the flat desolation of Kansas wheatfields
is grand. I envy you.
Charleen
back to the daily grind
Charleen Bunjiovianna
>
>One, five days is driving a truck straight-through. You do not stop and shop.
>You don't have time. I would budget eight or nine days for this trip.
>I drove across country last August and not counting the two days I stopped
>in Vegas, it still took two days longer than I thought it would.
>
>Two, they see you coming. The Interstates are littered with giant signs
>for equally large antique malls, where everything is marked at Kovel's or
>Schroeder's prices.
>
>Three, get a copy of _Roadfood_. Otherwide you're doomed to dine at the
>Golden Arches, Waffle House and Shoney's.
>
>Three(a), other states do not ban smoking in restaurants like California
>does, which is always a shock to us no matter how often we travel out
>of state.
>
>Four, take a look at a U.S. flea market guide. I really think you should
>try the flea markets after you do some research about which are likely
>to have the sort of things you want. There are flea markets somewhere
>in the U.S. every day and with some planning, you can hit three or four.
>
>Five, right or wrong, adventure or disaster, wedded bliss or singlehood,
>this is one trip you *will* remember the rest of your life.
I almost forgot:
Six, Books on Tape have made many an effortless mile go by. Recorded
Books has the best in the world. http://www.recordedbooks.com
Unabridged audio books are the way to go. The best narrators in the business
are Frank Muller, George Guidall and Barbara Rosenblat. Anything by them
is good.
Charleen
Laura Friedman
> One, five days is driving a truck straight-through. You do not stop and
shop.
> You don't have time. I would budget eight or nine days for this trip
Luckily, boyfriend has a two week break from work & school (did I mention
he's studying to become a landscape architect?).
> Two, they see you coming. The Interstates are littered with giant signs
> for equally large antique malls, where everything is marked at Kovel's or
> Schroeder's prices.
I'd like to do as little of that kind of shopping as possible. I've had
better luck in the past at tiny stores and fleas.
> Three, get a copy of _Roadfood_. Otherwide you're doomed to dine at the
> Golden Arches, Waffle House and Shoney's.
You mean there's food in the midwest other than chains?
> Three(a), other states do not ban smoking in restaurants like California
> does, which is always a shock to us no matter how often we travel out
> of state.
Heathens! How I cherish living amoung the civilized folk.
> Four, take a look at a U.S. flea market guide. I really think you should
> try the flea markets after you do some research about which are likely
> to have the sort of things you want. There are flea markets somewhere
> in the U.S. every day and with some planning, you can hit three or four.
Are there really fleas on weekdays?
> Five, right or wrong, adventure or disaster, wedded bliss or singlehood,
> this is one trip you *will* remember the rest of your life.
I'm looking forward to it.
Thanks!
Laura
Charleen Bunjiovianna
>
>> Four, take a look at a U.S. flea market guide. I really think you should
>> try the flea markets after you do some research about which are likely
>> to have the sort of things you want. There are flea markets somewhere
>> in the U.S. every day and with some planning, you can hit three or four.
>
>Are there really fleas on weekdays?
Oh yes, indeedy!
I've temporarily misplaced my flea market guide but will post the ISBN
once I find it. These books are usually out of date before they reach
print, so it's good to have a couple of sources.
Charleen
Kris Baker
is outdated right after it hits the bookstores), why not just
do some phone listing searches on the internet?
http://www.qwestdex.com/cgi/search.fcg?form=advanced
put "flea market" or "thrift store" in the category field,
pick a state (or state/city if heavily populated) -- and
you'll get a long list.
You can even plot maps through that site.
Print it out.
Kris
Off on my own mini road trip on Thursday
Charleen Bunjiovianna wrote in message <93g244$gbj$1...@nntp.Stanford.EDU>...
Charleen Bunjiovianna
>Rather than buying a flea market guide (that, as we know,
>is outdated right after it hits the bookstores), why not just
>do some phone listing searches on the internet?
Because a phone listing won't tell you anything about the
makeup of the market. Even a flea market book with 50% dead
markets still has 50% live markets as well.
But like any decent research, it's best not to depend on one source.
Charleen
Kris Baker
Charleen Bunjiovianna wrote in message <93gk0v$oab$1...@nntp.Stanford.EDU>...
You're right -- but what I was thinking (and didn't mention)
was checking for NEW places! Some of our best buys have
been out-of-town, when we found a "new" flea market,
antique "mall" or little shop that wasn't yet listed in the
guides. Even better, seeing a place that can't afford a
sign but has a yellow NOW OPEN banner on it!
Vogue records, how about 3/$1 (bought about 20!)
Watt "apple" grease jar $5 (sold for $310)
etc
etc
In the little towns in the midwest, the indoor flea markets
and antique malls seem to have been filled by people
cleaning out grandma's house (or their own.) You know
the type: they'd NEVER pay anyone to appraise their
item (after all, they'd get cheated!) So they put "high"
prices on everything. Problem is, when everything's
$5, there's some good buys among the dogs.
As I remember, the place in York, Nebraska (just going
into town off I-80) had lots of good stuff.....but last
time we were there, they had lots of showcases and
prices had gone up.
Kris
larDss
I wish someone would start an ebay etc store .........you know like
mailboxes etc........
pianoguy
> Does it make sense for me to turn my furniture driving trip into a quasi
> antiques buying trip? I would certainly have room in the truck.
Absolutely! For many years I traveled the east coast buying old pianos...normally I
would be dealing with pickers who knew what I wanted and would call when they had a
special find. During these trips I would stop in every town I could along the way and
read the classifieds in the local newspaper and also the throw aways like Thrifty
Nickel and Penny Pincher etc. you might be surprised what you can find. And always
ask if there is anything else they will sell...sometimes the items they would
classify as *junk that nobody wants* would be exactly what I was looking for. Antique
shops can be good too because something hot in your area might be collecting dust
somewhere else...not only that but no dealer knows the value of everything so
bargains can be found quite often in shops.
Enjoy your trip...you'll never forget it.
--
pianoguy
return email disabled
Byron L. Reed - Bust Dime Freak
>antiques buying trip? I would certainly have room in the truck.
Yes. Look at it as a vacation. Having your furniture delivered and the
oportunity to shop for antiques is just icing.
MR BLReed
SARCHASM: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the reader who
doesn't get it.
GOT BUSTS? http://www.byronreed.com/BCTC/home.htm
Marie's Email
shop?
Marie
Laura Friedman
local antique stores.
I probably should sell the deco dressers, but I really like them and think
they look great in mom's old Victorian house. The Danish modern doesn't fit
in there, but would fit in here. Also, I'm kinda attached to the old
dressers. I know it's silly to become attached to furniture, but I'm a bit
silly.
Laura
"Marie's Email" <jfo...@home.com> wrote in message
news:3A60BE82...@home.com...
Marie's Email
Sorry, I thought your original post said you sell through a shop.
Oh please! Attached to old stuff - I am the queen!!!
We plan to have a tag sale this Spring to get rid of "stuff" that is hanging
around. Would I sell the worthless card table I bought the first year we were
married? How about the less than collectable costume jewelry I have bought over
25 years? The only things I can part with are things that are less than 15
years old, old clothes that don't fit me anymore and outdated computer
equipment. I have to beg friends to come to sell their stuff to make it worth
having a tag sale.
Have fun on your cross-country trip, I envy you. Good luck.
Marie
Tish
> > Three, get a copy of _Roadfood_. Otherwide you're doomed to dine at the
> > Golden Arches, Waffle House and Shoney's.
>
> You mean there's food in the midwest other than chains?
Another hint. Wherever there's a college or a center of technology,
there are immigrants and resident aliens, hence ethnic restaurants,
hence interesting food.
> > Three(a), other states do not ban smoking in restaurants like California
> > does, which is always a shock to us no matter how often we travel out
> > of state.
>
> Heathens! How I cherish living amoung the civilized folk.
If this is extremely important to you, you might want to reconsider your
preference for the South over the Midwest. Remember that it is
PATRIOTIC to smoke in tobacco-growing territory. Restaurants vary among
us boring clean-living Midwesterners, but here at least you have a
chance of a no-smoking section.
I enjoy driving around the South and the Midwest, in fact, everywhere
(just got back from driving around California, as a matter of fact,) but
never cease to be amazed at the image Californians and New Yorkers have
of Midwesterners.
But then we have our own prejudices.
Tish
Maryann
threads. this is one of them! Who is going where? Tish, are you
heading our way?
>Tish
" "
Maryann
I can walk on water but I stagger on alcohol.
Tish
Laura is thinking of a road trip with van to pick up some furniture from
home, preferring the Southern route to the Midwestern. Charleen gave
her good advice about where to find flea markets, etc., and commented
that the no-smoking rule universal in California isn't in effect
everywhere. When Laura called all non-Californians "heathens" I warned
her that there's a lot more smoking in restaurants in the South than the
Midwest.
I just got back from a visit with my husband's relatives in California.
I didn't get to see anybody cool like you guys, nor did I hit any
antique shops. There. All caught up.
Tish
Marshall Schuon
>For some reason I don't seem to be getting the beginnings of some
>threads. this is one of them! Who is going where? Tish, are you
>heading our way?
_____
The original message was posted on Jan. 9, so you may have missed it
way back then.
Marshall
Charleen Bunjiovianna
>Ah, Maryann.
>
>Laura is thinking of a road trip with van to pick up some furniture from
>home, preferring the Southern route to the Midwestern. Charleen gave
>her good advice about where to find flea markets, etc., and commented
>that the no-smoking rule universal in California isn't in effect
>everywhere. When Laura called all non-Californians "heathens" I warned
>her that there's a lot more smoking in restaurants in the South than the
>Midwest.
>
>I just got back from a visit with my husband's relatives in California.
>I didn't get to see anybody cool like you guys, nor did I hit any
>antique shops. There. All caught up.
I just got back from a trip to Oregon for a funeral. Ditto and ditto.
I've been eyeing the camper-conversion Eurovans (Volkswagen) with no
small degree of longing, as road-trip fever is bound to set in soon.
I still contend that it is possible to run an Internet-only antiques
sales business without a fixed base of operations. Obviously it would
be a lot easier if one's inventory consisted of those antique thimbles
Gerald wishes he collected. But apparently every Kinko's offers Internet
connections for a price.
Charleen
jc
J
Mike Wilcox
Hi Charleen,
I to have been thinking about the road trip, as long as I have a connection
to the internet I could do online valuations from just about anywhere, with
payments being made directly to my credit card account to pay the way. I plan
on doing just that next time I'm on the road.
--
Mike Wilcox
"Have laptop will travel"
Antique & Collectible Appraisals Online
www3.sympatico.ca/appraisers
Gillam Kerley
"Charleen Bunjiovianna" <char...@w6yx.stanford.edu> wrote in message
news:95fo46$bi$1...@nntp.Stanford.EDU...
> I've been eyeing the camper-conversion Eurovans (Volkswagen) with no
> small degree of longing, as road-trip fever is bound to set in soon.
> I still contend that it is possible to run an Internet-only antiques
> sales business without a fixed base of operations. Obviously it would
> be a lot easier if one's inventory consisted of those antique thimbles
> Gerald wishes he collected. But apparently every Kinko's offers Internet
> connections for a price.
As does every Mailboxes Etc., AFAICT. Many libraries offer it for free,
though I suspect you're more likely to run into a waiting list there.
I'm hoping to come up with the funds for a notebook computer before my next
road trip, and experiment with selling on yaBe along the way.
Unfortunately, my yaBe specialty is remaindered/overstock/hurt books, which
tend to have a high weight-to-value ratio, so I'm not sure if I can haul
enough inventory to make this scheme work for extended trips or permanent
"on the road" status.
Another practical problem is receiving payments from folks who won't use
online services. I suppose I'll end up having someone pick up my mail and
FedEx it to me once a week.
There was a mildly intersting book published about 3 years ago by a couple
that had lived on the road in a full-size RV for 5 years. They made their
living as freelance writers, so hauling inventory wasn't an issue. And they
were too early for reliable cell-phone modems (and possibly for Kinko's
internet service, though the limitation there may have been finding a
parking space for their beast), so much of the book focuses on the
difficulties of maintaining contact with publishers, business contacts, etc.
It's not great literature, but it might be useful for someone planing an
extended "on the road" adventure.
Gk
Tish
Free but crowded. The smallest towns often have all their internet
access workstations booked for hours...or days.
Tish
Doris
If you have you're own laptop, can't you hookup in your hotel room?
I've seen it advertised at a few places, I've not looked into it though.
If I brought my webtv with me on a trip my husband would leave. He says
I spend way too much time on the internet.
Doris
I've always wanted to be somebody,
I should have been more specific.
Mike Wilcox
Hi all,
Up here most of the libraries have multiple internet hook ups, so you don't
have to wait very long. The whole system here is part of a government
program to grant high speed access for everyone through libraries and
community centres.. Even in the northern areas satellite hook ups are being
installed were phone lines don't run.
--
Mike Wilcox