Featured What's Been Your Worst Purchase Mistake?

Catlovr, have you already started saving some?

 

Somebody mentioned shopping networks, wife and I used to watch Americas auction network. So funny, it was comedy gold. Jeremy was a hoot. Saw his dog drinking out of a toilet on a property auction. Best unintentional reality tv ever. Think they are out of business now.

 

As my dad used to say, hey!!! That might be worth something one day. Lol

 

Ephemera at its ... best...? Things that weren't meant to survive but did anyway. Squirreling a few away couldn't hurt. Look at old formula Lever2000.

 

There is a difference between things that will acquire value over time, and things that will acquire value within a your lifetime.

 

Yeahwell. Details.

 

Once at an antique show I bought a couple of prints that were signed by E. M. Washington. I didn't break the bank for them, but might have paid $80-$100 for both? They were dated in the 1920s or 1930s, I think. And it turned out to be too much. There are lots of articles out there about this guy...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._M._Washington

I wasn't going to sell the prints, but the idea of displaying them bothered me and I eventually got rid of them.

We discussed this guy on the old eBay Antiques board years ago. I think Brad knew something about him.

 

Worst purchase mistake should be married to the wrong person.

 

[QUOTE=" I do speak up while overhearing dishonest transactions at flea markets.[/QUOTE]

I would have to do nothing but speak up when I am visiting flea markets. Most of them will just tell them what they want to hear and most don't seem to care anyway.

 

Then there are the people you tell the truth to that don't want to know!

I sell at the local flea and I never, ever lie to a customer. It's not worth it to me to make up information or mislead, my reputation is too important to me

 

Or vintage Clairol Herbal Essence Shampoo

 

No one thing stands out in my head at the moment, but I'm sure the hundreds of little items I've bought that ended up being worthless have added up to more than I want to think about.

 

Hi Marie,
Only one time I almost said something. My favorite seller at a flea market always has stuff that is so cheap. I used to tell her about her prices and she would raise them. Anything I was interested in she would always sell it to me at her price even
when I would tell her it was worth more. One time I was late to the sale and going by another "friend" he asked me to look at something and asked if it was real. I was shocked to see a stack of Fiestaware mixing bowls in perfect condition worth about 1000 bucks at the time. I told him it was the real deal. The I saw the piece of tape with 20 dollars on the box they were in. I was heart broken it was the same unusual type that my favorite seller used! When I got to her booth several minutes later I wanted to tell her about the other dealer since he got it with a discount! I wanted to tell her about her bowls being worth 750 dollars to him. They were sold within the hour. I was so saddened. I was so tempted to go back and buy them for 500 dollars with my discount and give the other lady 250 dollars.
greg

 

Gregsy...you can't save the world...
but your heart's in the right place !!!!

 

Hi Komokwa,
Thanks for the complement. The elderly lady was black and a sick husband, plus I know she does not have money. I felt so bad for her. The other dealer is usually honest and has nice stuff. It was a toss up about which one deserved the "riches".
greg