In my last post I discussed the importance of research and knowing what has value and what doesn't. In order to make money, you need to know what's worth money. Ebay is a treasure trove of information. It's amazing how many times I thought to myself, this knick knack is so weird and obscure that I wouldn't be able to find anything aout it, then find out that therere are loads of these listed, and yes, they are worthless. In the event that eBay falls short, a simple google search will turn up any fan websites or collector's homage.
We truly live in a golden age of information. It's a blessing and a curse. For, while it is easy for me to figure the value of something, it's just as easy for someone else. It's harder and harder to find these treasures for a good price. You need to be one step ahead of the competition. Knowledge is key, of course. The more you know, the better equipped you are to make quick decisions, for if you need to check your facts and return later, most likely your treasure will be snatched up by someone else.
That's why smart phones are the perfect thrifter's multi-tool. Information is literally at your fingertips. Whether your weapon is an iPhone
or a Blackberry, you have a leg up. You can saunter through the store, tossing stuff into your cart, until you get to the furniture. With your stuff securely claimed, you can leasurely relax on an old sofa, thumbing through your Ebay app, one item at a time. Then toss the junk and keep the good. There are apps that will scan barcodes for you, so you don't even have to look them up. They magically reveal the latest Amazon price. Unfortunately, you lose a little of the thrill and suspense of finding your gold mine. But after awhile, you'll still be kicking it old school. In time, you won't need to look it up, for you will already know.
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