During our two-day jaunt through the wilds of Canton, the author and our expert, Ms. Johnson, amassed an impressive collection of random items that would otherwise clutter up the garages of grandmothers across the state of Texas. All told, we managed to blow a pocketful of cash -- but not nearly as much as we would have had we not been practicin' good hagglin'. Our outing ran the gamut of hits and misses, lost chances and well-timed deals, and in the end there was enough junk to fill a pickup. (We missed out on the regulation issue Piggly Wiggly sign, but it wouldn't have fit in the truck anyway.) Here's some of what we got.
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The Expert considers this anvil a prime, if impractical, find.
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Our Expert's Finds:
Wicker Chair
A very worn wicker chair that had obviously spent some time under water. This particular item was partially rotted, except for the decorative back piece, which Ms. Johnson wanted for a wall hanging.
Original price: $10
Strategy: Inspect Closely
Ms. Johnson: "Hmmmm ... look on the leg right here. Is that an old mildew stain or some termite damage? Either way, that's gonna take some fixing."
Final Price: $3
Picture Frames
Three table-sized picture frames that contained art prints from the early 70s (miscellaneous sunset pictures, big-eyed children, etc).
Original price: $5 for the big one, $4 for each of the smaller ones
Strategy: Up the Ante
Ms. Johnson: "Well, I don't really want the picture in the big one, so how about half price for that? And while we're at it, will you add these other ones for a dollar? Sound good?"
Final Price: $4 for everything
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The Author's Finds:
Roasting Pan
An old enamel roasting pan looked good, but the handle had rusted through at the base, hanging on like a loose tooth.
Original price: $8
Strategy: Barnyard Sounds
Pableaux: "Pfffft ... Eight bucks? It's got a broken handle, fer godsakes! It'll take ten more to get it spot welded! That's it, I'm calling the Better Business Bureau. Security!"
Final Price: $4.50 (with old enamel serving bowl thrown in to shut me up) along with a promise never to darken his table again. Ever.
Mail Sorting Grid
This old mail sorting grid came from the U.S. Post Office in Van Buren, Arkansas before they remodeled a few years back. Originally designed to route mail to regional offices, the grid is perfect for organizing old mail, bills that should have been paid months ago, and IRS subpoenas.
Original price: $12
Strategy: Watch the Clock, Return for Round 2
Pableaux: (On Sunday, after an unsuccessful Saturday attempt.) "So ... How's business treatin' you? Yeah, it's a long ride home ... You take five for this now? "
Final Price: $5
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