.......
I'm a collector, not a bargain-hunter.....
Lugz, that statement only goes so far with Mrs_P. n fact, her first words to me most of my early bird mornings which she doesn't come with me to are, "Don't buy junk!" My rebuttal is usually, "OK, I love you bye!" (Grab my keys and wallet and tip toe out the door before she fully wakes up and comes up with a honey-do list).
Regarding buying price philosophy, I try to justify my purchases with prices which will not loose money on resale if Mrs_P or I need to or want to get rid of it. Most of the time the "want to" get rid of part is due to re-arranging/organizing.
On to deals. I didn't finish telling you about this Atlas drill-Press picked up on Saturday because I was so busy enjoying the whole weekend with perfect weather.
I hit three sales on Saturday morning at 6AM before the Atlas purchase. I thought I was giving myself plenty of time for compete with the local re-sellers/collectors. My schedule called me to go to two 7AM sales followed by one 8AM sale. I drove out of my driveway at 5:55 and thought to myself, "self, you're doing great by getting up early", but as I took a left turn out of my driveway, I see two cars parked on my street just three houses down. I had to stop as these guys are cool (Jimmy and another). It's two of my acquaintances already shopping as one of my neighbors is still setting up. As we shop we discussed our morning schedule and the sales we all knew about we figured they went northbound while I went southbound. And we'd all end up at the 8AM tool/farm sale.
I was the first to arrive at sale number two. Nothing bought there either. I did take my time until another collector showed up (Danny). He's cool too. Then one the resellers showed up from the northbound sale with nothing significant to report. He followed on to sale number three along with Danny. Danny then tells me about a stop in between where he said, "a guy shows up with some impressive/cool stuff".
Now to the sweet spot which was not on my schedule thanks to Danny. It was at a local indoor flea where I know the owner (Jay). He set up a bring your trailer sale. As I pull up, I greet Jay and tell him how I found out about this stop, Jay says, "my stuff is cooler than his" because I'm not the first to tell him why I was there. I drive around to park and notice Jimmy, Danny, and Amy (also a collector). They're all huddled around a 4x6 utility trailer. I walk up and right away start asking prices.
Me: "How much for the coleman lantern?"
Seller: "$2, it comes with an extra glass"
Me: "Sold!"
In the mean time, Jimmy was standing so close to the covered drill press that it would have bit him had it been a snake.
I see it and ask right away, "How much for the drill press?"
Seller: "$10"
Me: "Sold!!!!!!"
I couldn't believe my luck as both Jimmy and Danny would have bought that thing in a heartbeat.
Here she is in her art home until I decide where she'll spend the next 80 years....