Wednesday 24 June 2009

Weekend finds

Some weekend charity shop and car boot sale finds...

I bought these, not for the stamps or first day covers, but because I thought they would make an interesting scanned background for a blog photo.


I only wanted one plate, but it was being sold by a little old lady who was there with her son and looked despondent that she didn't have any customers. She is downsizing, and bless her, tried to give me a free gift as I bought a few things. I told her I would take some hand-worked linen, but she still insisted in taking them out of the packet to show me.



What's your car boot sale strategy? I stomped away from a young guy who was selling an appealing fireproof box, because he wouldn't come down from £5 to £4 (it was totally worth £5, but on principle.) But then I didn't haggle with anyone else! The little old lady was funding her move to an old people's home, and I felt the others were asking a fair price and only trying to make a living...

I usually only take about £40 in cash, but on Sunday I saw an exquisite set of old birthday cards and postcards. There were 160 in mint condition and the seller was asking £75. I scrabbled round in my purse but all I had was £45 - which understandably he wouldn't accept. But, it only occurred to me later that I should have given him my phone number in case they didn't sell. The best ideas always come to me much too late.

14 comments:

Dumbwit Tellher said...

You scored! What wonderful finds. I always feel like I snagged some treasure when going to yard sales. Great job!

Shelia Day said...

How cute!! I have been promised that we can go to a car boot sale the next time we are in England. Great finds.

Green Girl said...

i love the cups and saucers, she sounds like a sweet old lady:)

orange sugar home said...

love your finds. They are so sweet. What is a boot sale?

One Small Mouse said...

My haggling technique is pretty ropy - either I end up feeling sorry for people and can't bring myself to do it, or I'm just too embarrassed and British about the whole concept and can't bring myself to do it anyway...

Merissa Revestir said...

Oh I love the stamps and the envelope! Good find! I wish we had a fair like this in Hawaii!

Anonymous said...

Oh I love a good market/carboot sale. Those images on the snail mail are definately a keeper.

My strategy is my mum. She strikes fear in the hearts of all. Super bargainer. We just tell her what we want, let her do her thing, and stand back

Lynne said...

OSH - a boot sale is when people sell things out of their car boot - (really on a table) - I guess it's what you would call a trunk...

Pixelhazard - love your strategy!

erin said...

love that stack of envelopes!

Top bird said...

Fabulous finds, I shall have to post about my recent car boot sale adventures. Where do you go? I've only been to Battersea. xx

Anonymous said...

those are some fab finds lady!!!

Lynne said...

I go to Battersea but I don't think it's that great - I'm going to try Wimbledon next.

Amy Coombe said...

Would you mind doing a post about London-area boot sales sometime? Things like location and appeal? I've only been to the ones in Barnes, and it wasn't so great.

Lynne said...

Anne - I would love to do a round-up but I have only been to Battersea! I am going to go to Wimbledon, Colliers Wood and Crystal Palace, so I might be able to do a South London round-up.