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Re: [OM] DF Hall of Fame

Subject: Re: [OM] DF Hall of Fame
From: Winsor Crosby <wincros@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 27 Jul 2002 17:05:52 -0700
I was looking at my Oly save list and came across Doris' yard sale instructions. Someone expressed an interest not long ago and there are many on the list now who do not know her.

Winsor


    One time I scored 85 kept-in-freezer rolls of Pro Fuji 50 for $30
*WITH MAILERS* in Safety Harbor --- and several great photo-books. There's
good stuff everywhere. I've had great luck all the way to Tarpon Springs,
Lutz, Brandon and some big hits in Sarasota.  The bad part is...you will
HAVE to give up every saturday morning to do this right, because there's
a huge random factor to it. One can go for months and find nothing.
But even when you find nothing, it's pretty entertaining looking at
other people's things, and now and then one sees exquisite, rare items,
that are fascinating in themselves.
 Xerox a bunch of maps in the areas (yeah, break copyright...look out
for the MIB's !) you plan to blitz, leave room in the margins for writing.
Make major strategic decisions regarding neighborhoods (stay within middle
to upper class, poor people have nothing, and the rich-hood sales
should all be hit first). If you see baby strollers & clothes, do not
even stop. They usually have nothing good to sell (they can't afford to).
 Mark all the sales on your xeroxed map the night
before, writing the address on the margins. Make sure the car is gassed
up (if you have car racks, put them on, you never know what you'll find).
Take S-76 (357) silver-oxide batteries (new), a mercury battery, 2
DL123A's and at least 4 AA's, and a flashlight to check lenses with. A
navigator is a tremendous asset for doing this (a person with different
interests from you is usually good). Check the little flyer-type papers
for extra sales. Have it all ready the night before. Wake up at 5 and
check the day's paper for last-minute ads, input them onto your map, and be on the street and rolling by 6:30-7 AM go to
the better-sounding ones first. Take some coffee in a Thermos, and
something to eat.
  ********* ALWAYS******** ask if they have anything
photographic they might want to sell, even is there is nothing visible.
Some of my best buys happened when the people look at each other and
say "Honey, go get the old camera.
    Go at a breakneck pace through every sale. The good stuff is ALWAYS
in the back (closest to the house) part. Drive within legality, but er...
with alacrity. :)
    Always look at everything with a dumbfounded, 'what is it' kind
of look, and ALWAYS haggle, unless it is unconscionable. Let your
conscience be your guide. Remember, value has nothing to do with original
price, but what the owner assigns to the item. I don't start getting
nervous unless the price is 1/10th the original or below.
  This is going to get me in trouble, but gay guys tend to have
the best-quality items, and usually in like-new condition.
  When a yuppie looks at the ground and says "Well, it worked
the last time WE used it..." 750f the time they're lying and know
it doesn't work (which is why you take batteries).
   Do not waste time waiting in line for a sale to open until after
8-8:30. Prime time is too critical. Don't stop to admire curios (and there
are always zillions of them) until after 9. Go to all of the estate sales
after 8:30-9. Few open earlier. Take at least $200 in cash, and
$20 in singles, and $5 in quarters. People take forever to make change.

  Have an open mind. The odds of finding OM stuff is relatively small.
Learn to appreciate Nikons, Canons, etc as well. One of my SO's cousins
is financially challenged, and we have been able to keep them and
their 3 kids in like-new clothing for the price of a couple of happy meals
a week. I helped a few students sleeping on tatami mats in empty apts
furnish the place (including towels and pots, pans & dishes) for under
$100 --- and they raved about the stuff :).
 There's a lot of possibilities at these things.
   It is imperative to know how to assess lenses and cameras for wear
and to see if they are working properly. Now and then you take a risk,
but look at all the other stuff they're selling, and you'll have a good
idea of the condition of the camera.

  I know pros who look for antiques, jewelry, etc., and they actually
make a living from this. Some through Ebay others through stores and/or
fleas. I consider it fun, free life lessons, recycling, a chance to meet
people  (all after 9:30) and indulge in cultural anthropology.

                                      Life is good
                                   *= Doris Fang =*


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