Bartering And Horse Trading (Part Duh)

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Originally Posted by MNeagle

A secure home is top priority for me; landlords can get flaky in a flash. Why not compromise? A home w/ a (low fixed rate) mortgage, & some silver?

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Hi Mneagle. I agree with your take on the flaky landlords. They can neglect to pay their mortgage payments and be foreclosed on which leaves you, the renter, in a world of hurt. Too little notice to vacate is often the teeth gritting outcome.

I spoke with one of the friends yesterday morning and he says that he is in no hurry to buy a house. I did tell him that it might be a good idea to buy more silver with part of the money while he waits for the best opportunity to appear. This way, the silver may go up while the housing prices go down. I don’t expect silver to crash but rather to rise in purchasing power dramatically in the future. However, I do expect real estate to crash. When ? Any time; it could come about as a result banking problems wherein they quit lending. Then the cash price would be required. And who would have full cash up front at that time ? Answer : almost nobody ! And even if some folks did, they wouldn’t be looking at house buying, even for rent ! The whole playing field would have changed to what a house would sell for without credit. It would be like the old days when folks saved up money to buy or build a house. You know, when houses were $16,000. I lived in Erie PA in 1971 and was considering buying a house for that exact price. It had 4 bedrooms, a den, a formal dining room, a full attic and basement and a fenced yard. Oh, and the topper was that was the price with full banking credit in full swing. Housing prices need to crash to get back to reality; they deserve it ! Good and hard.

Of course, with such a crash, the banks would be in tatters, especially with all the repos that they hold at full market price. And as the market value falls, they would be holding loads of properties that had been gutted by the collapse. Hollow shells that, even if they were to sell them cheap, would destroy their balance sheets. You see, we are there right now but the realty reality is still to hit in the future.

My mom’s cousin acquired several properties along Flagler boulevard in Miami in the early 1930s. The banks were giving them away rather than to continue paying property taxes on them. Well, he kept the properties he had gotten from the banks and rented them out to pay for the taxes. Some years later he sold them and retired, a multimillionaire. The rest of his life he and his wife cruised on their yacht up and down the intercoastal waterway from New York to Miami.

I’m sharing this story to show that just one idea that pans out is all someone needs to make a dramatic change in their life. I have had such ideas that panned out and can tell you that it is not all that it is cracked up to be. There is risk, investment, patience, calculation and confidence all involved on the road to success.
In other words, there is a list of factors that must all favorably contribute to a successful outcome.

Back in 1993 I discovered that the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 manual transmission had a problem with the input shaft and associated transfer spool to the all wheel drive had premature wear problems. The factory would not sell the parts necessary to rebuild the transmission and the factory price was $6,500. I had the parts blueprinted and manufactured; cost me about 60 grand. I had them made with a harder Rockwell than the factory parts and this was a strong selling point. Didn’t cost me any extra either. Now I could build the transmission and offer them nationwide. I also sold the parts worldwide because the shipping for a rebuilt was too expensive due to weight considerations. I had done my homework in assessing the risk, amount of investment, time required for a return on investment, calculated the percent return and had the confidence that my product would be in strong demand. Two parts I had manufactured for $250 total sold for $1,400 which was a $1,150 net profit. Additionally, the rebuilt Mitsubishi 3000GT transmissions that my shop sold became a mainstay of profit. I was only adding one model of transmission to the 40 other models I had been building for many years. This one addition changed my business to where I had financial breathing room to expand.

Just an example of a need fulfilled which resulted in a great positive in my life.

Best wishes,

Agnut

Hi all. Last Saturday I wasn’t planning on going anywhere. That is, until I saw a moving sale on Craigslist. My younger son went with me. When we arrived at the sale there was no one around. I had to ring the doorbell. He came in and we started to pick out items and ask what he wanted for them. I told him I was making a pile of things I wanted to buy. Instead of adding them all up, he said that $20 was fine. I picked up a couple of bundles of rope and asked him how much. He said a dollar. After we loaded up we returned to thank him and wish him well. As we turned to leave, we saw a couple coming toward the sale. They looked excited; I felt sorry for them since I had cleaned out the place. But ya know, it isn’t for me to judge something I had bought would be wanted by someone else in particular. Maybe this couple are just out on an outing, not looking for anything in particular. The early bird gets the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese.

Anyhoo, here’s a list of the booty :

2 rakes
3 stainless steel mixing bowls
2 5 gallon gas cans
1 garden hose in reel box
2 oil funnels
2 bundles of rope
2 sunshields for windshield
1 two foot level by Mayes USA
1 sun tea jar
1 box Superslides for furniture
1 large MAG light
2 cans bearing grease
1 purple vase
1 Samurai Pro knife sharpener
1 gardening knee pad
2 empty fish lure boxes
2 full fish lure boxes
17 empty honey jars
3 DVDs, one was a lens cleaner

Lotta odds and ends there, huh ? These items will, in time, go out to their new homes. Just the garden hose in reel box would have cost me more new that all of the items I got.

A thought just came to me. What if the crash comes and most everyone is selling their possessions for any cash they can get ? Will you have the money to take advantage of this fire sale ? A once in a lifetime extreme buyers’ market.

I know what you are thinking. What will I do with all of these new items ? It depends upon your skills in determining which items will still be a bargain within and after this crash. Will shoes, pants, coats, shovels, tools, cars, toilet paper, new socks, plywood, nails, tarps and a thousand other items be profitable to stock ?

I personally have about 30 pairs of pants, 15 coats, about 150 shirts, 20 pairs of shoes, all in my size. More than I will need for the next 10 years. This way, I could sell any that I feel I have an excess.

Food will be high on the list but it may be dangerous to be selling in the midst of a collapse scenario. Growing veggies are a wise choice but there probably will not be enough excess to sell anyway. Think renewable resources.

In time, things will settle down and we can go about our business although in a much changed world. Prices for items will be determined by a mutual agreement between buyer and seller. And by prices, I mean that there will be more bartering and horse trading going on. A shirt for 6 eggs. A coat for 4 hours work. You get the idea.

Nobody knows how the future will pan out. We have to take our best guess and go with it while thinking of other possibilities as the situation demands.

Having 3 or even 6 months of money in hand has been recommended all over the internet for many years. But what if the dollars are practically worthless ? Don’t get me wrong; I do believe in having money for emergencies. I am looking at the flip side. What will be in demand if the unbacked fiat currency has lost all confidence ? Items needed. Could be almost anything but we should focus on what we believe will be the most likely. What these are, I don’t know for sure. You rolls the dice and takes your chances. Suggestions welcome.

And don’t forget items that will create goodwill. Clean water, blackberries, etc. Maybe some items from Harbor Freight such as LED flashlights. The Dollar stores have hundreds of items that may provide comfort to others. I bought 31 pairs of Dollar store thermal socks the other day and might buy more. They aren’t very heavy duty but any new socks should be in demand. Think how long a pair of socks last.

And what if we don’t have a collapse ? Yeah, right ! Seventeen trillion in debt (lots more really), high unemployment, high real inflation, racial strife, derivative dangers and many more black swans out there circling like vultures.

But just for grins, lets suppose what if we don’t ? What will be the price of all the items we have accumulated ? Will they be worth less or more ? We have to think in terms of desirability and need, even though a collapse hadn’t occurred.

Inflation alone will continue to raise prices in the stores, so that the items we have will also increase over time. Another thought being bandied around the internet is that we will be marginalized regarding imports. Not only less imports coming in but the prices will increase.

Sometimes when exchanging my paper dollars for good used items, I have to laugh at the ridiculous prices I am paying.

Diversification is recommended. Specialization is for insects, as Heinlein says.

10 Key Events That Preceded The Last Financial Crisis That Are Happening Again RIGHT NOW
By Michael Snyder 1/6/2015

http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/a...ning-right-now


Best wishes,

Agnut


Venezuelans Throng Grocery Stores Under Military Protection


http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-0...ion-order.html


Makes ya think !

Some of my best deals came from farm sales. Like Pavlov’s dog, I salivate upon seeing an ad for a farm sale. I’ll pass by three or four garage sales on the way to a farm sale and double back later. Farm sales are the filet mignon of sales. Fond memories like when I got a Snap-On click type torque wrench for 25 cents ! Am I drooling again ?

There is the anticipation in getting there, the excitement of walking from the truck to be among all the possibilities, finding that the prices are practically giveaway. At this point I calculate where I should be picking up bargains to begin a pile of items I want. I do this without fanfare in order to not awaken the multitude of other buyers to my method. After I have finished I summon the seller and ask if he will give me a price break on all of the items in my pile. I never have been disappointed; strange, but that is the truth. A discount on bargains; what could be better ?

I remember a garage sale a couple of years ago where the seller must have had a couple hundred DVDs on a blanket with the side labels up where I could read them quickly. There was a placard with the $2 price prominently displayed. I took the seller aside and told him that I was interested in many of his DVDs but have been buying them for one dollar each. He said that would be fine. I then proceeded to stack all of the DVDs as I selected them, while at the same time keeping an eye on the many other buyers who began to watch me in dumbfounded fascination. I barely got done before the other buyers figured it out and started to grab the DVDs they wanted. I boxed up everything, paid the seller and got out of there before anyone even had a word to say. The stealth buyer has left the stage. And on to the next show…

You see, I had learned my lesson from an earlier garage sale wherein I had asked the sellers if they had any DVDs. They looked at each other and laughed then said that they were thinking of selling their DVDs before they moved. They said that I could have them for a dollar each. One of them went in their house and began bringing out boxes and boxes of DVDs, some were season sets with as many as 7 DVDs. There must have been over 500 DVDs. The other buyers were beginning to get interested and I knew that I had to do something fast without appearing excited. So I methodically began to go through the boxes, selecting the DVDs I wanted and piling them on a stuffed chair next to me. The other buyers were beginning to find out about the price and began picking up several for themselves. Not dissuaded, I continued piling while making plans to move into the fray where I found stacks of great titles and some of the season sets which turns out that were also a dollar each. I don’t know if you are familiar with what some of these season sets cost new but the used price is usually about $10 to $15. I ended up with over 100 DVDs and several season sets for a dollar each. I would have bought more but the other buyers were in a feeding frenzy like piranha. I waited a few seconds until they provided an opening and things calmed down. Next I went through what they had missed and got several more. In such an instance, there is no quarter given for laggards. This is WAR ! A peaceful war, that is. Oxymoronic or just moronic; you be the judge.

It is important to learn the “tells” of the sale we are attending ; it is like playing poker. What is the property like ? Is the seller moving and has to get rid of most everything ? Is this an estate sale ? How are the prices ?

And ALWAYS ask the seller what else he may have for sale; especially after you have paid for your pile of items. That way, he knows that you are serious and have more cash to spend. Remember, you as the buyer can see all that the seller has while the seller cannot see what is in your wallet or even what is on your mind. A distinct advantage, ‘ay wot ?.

Gotta go.

Best wishes,

Agnut

you need to set up a dvd store in your barn ......... rent them out

Seems to have been slow for some of you this winter. I've been busting my butt. seems like the more deals I make the more people I meet and it all starts to multiply exponentally. Gone to the scrap yard twice already this year with loads. Getting all the metal from a couple large apartment complexes. They remodel apartments and I get all the light fixtures, metal closet shelving, AC condensers and fans, ceiling fans, stainless double kitchen sinks, and bathroom sinks. All the sinks come with faucets. Also getting a lot of appliances, frigs, stoves mostly. Some need work, but a lot only need a little wipe down with some 409 cleaner. Selling the good ones, scraping the rest. Robbing parts off some to make a good unit. Giving a few away, people love that. A few boats deals in the works, and have flipped 5 outboards so far this year. Feel like I almost need a big piece of land to park everything at and have some kind of storefront to handle it all. Getting tired of answering the phone and dealing with idiots from craigslist. I saw a show on at a bar where these guys were restoring old cars and they went to some place out in the middle of no where to get some obsolete parts. The place had a huge sign by the highway that said "We have anything you want, if we can find it" This place was several acres big and had all sorts of everything, I thought of some of you. I hate technology or I would do the ebay thing, have thought about befriending a neighbor hood kid and cutting him in for a percentage if he would take pictures and post everything for me. We'll see. Hope everybody is doing well and surviving the winter. Looks pretty cold for most of the country. Hang in there!

Seems like you are talking about a scrap yard, Govcheetos.

Hi all, my desktop computer has been compromised and the new HP laptop needs some programs loaded so that I haven't been able to cut and paste my posts. I'll write as soon as I am able.

Not much going on this winter regarding garage and estate sales; I've been organizing past purchases and am still finding things I got years ago and had completely forgotten about. Braggin' or complainin' ? Not sure at this point. Tons of stuff to move.

Seems to be lots going on in the world; big changes a comin'.

best wishes,
agnut

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Originally Posted by agnut

Hi all, my desktop computer has been compromised and the new HP laptop needs some programs loaded so that I haven't been able to cut and paste my posts. I'll write as soon as I am able.

Not much going on this winter regarding garage and estate sales; I've been organizing past purchases and am still finding things I got years ago and had completely forgotten about. Braggin' or complainin' ? Not sure at this point. Tons of stuff to move.

Seems to be lots going on in the world; big changes a comin'.

best wishes,
agnut

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Thanks for the update!

glad to see your doing ok agnut been slow here so far but things will pick up .... be safe all mick

Hi all, my computer is still messed up but I’m sending this post and then getting off quickly in order to save all the info I have to be transferred to the HP laptop. Interesting that when I bought the laptop there was no mention that there was no works program installed and I would have to buy one from Microsoft. Cute.

Anyhoo, here is some recent activity what with winter receding into a very early spring. Everything has been blooming like crazy around here.

Saturday began with an early rise anticipating a few good garage, estate, moving sales (GEM sales). I wasn’t very anxious to shoot out the door as in the past. Probably because I hadn’t been to a GEM sale since January 10. Maybe I was coming out of hibernation like an old bear.

There were several local sales that morning. I mapped them out and the order in which I would show up. So far so good. But ya never know for sure; might be a roadside poster for a sale on the way that diverts ones focus.

The first sale was just a couple of miles down the road. The lady and her family were moving to North Carolina and didn’t want to haul too much stuff that far. Not a big haul but well worth the effort.

Step ladder $2
50’ dog cable with screw in the ground stake $2
8 shovels, rakes, other garden tools $8 total
Coach designer purse $5
Nice leather purse $1
6 insulating tubes for water pipes $1 total

I told her that some of my ancestors had lived in North Carolina since 1700; farmers and ranchers. I wish I could see it before I pass on. After I had wished her well on her new adventure I got in the old Dodge and headed for the next sale. The ad only said that there was some cds, movies, tools and a few other items. You can see why I wasn’t too excited at the possibilities. Boy, was I in for a shock !

When I turned onto the street there was a traffic jam ahead with cars jockeying for a parking space. I pulled over as soon as I could, knowing from experience that this type of mob would only tie me up if I were to compete for a parking space among all the confusion. Better to walk a block that sit in the car for a half an hour waiting for someone to get in their car and leave.

I got out of the truck and the closer I got the more excited I got. For you see, this was about the biggest garage sale that I had ever seen. Near the sidewalk there was a long table covered with tall stacks of DVDs. And on the ground all around the table were boxes full of more DVDs. I estimated that there were between 1,500 and 2,000 to be gone through. I quickly found a corner and began stacking as fast as I could without knocking anyone over. They were for sale at $1 each but the icing on the cake was that there were many season sets and movie multi disc sets for the same price. Some of these sets had as many as 50 movies. I found the seller and asked him if he would give me a price for a large quantity, say more than a hundred. He said that they were a dollar each but would give me a package price when I finished. One of his daughters got a box for me and I quickly filled and received another box, all the while there were about 10 other people picking through the DVDs. Funny but most of them were only picking up one or two movies. The father even had his daughters bring out even more boxes of DVDs for me to look through. It took most of an hour until I was finished. I thought that my putting the DVDs in boxes would dissuade others from picking through my stuff but I still had to keep a watchful eye as a few had to be shooed away.

After I was done there I began looking around. The following is a list of the items I got and their prices :

Oval crock pot new $2
Ozark 6 man tent $5
5X8 area rug free
15 hardback books 20 cents each
Accutron watch $1
3 leather jackets $1 each
Laptop power converter with cord 25 cents
40 channel CB radio new in the box $1
80 gph sump pump free
25 sheet music, old stuff free
35 misc spices $2-
Key Largo placard $2
3 large photo posters of Tahiti islands from the air free
3 really cool hats free
Humidifier new in box $2
3 clamping cake/quiche pans $1 total
Large leather briefcase, the nicest I’ve ever seen. Looked new $1
Umbrella free
2 pairs coveralls new $2 each
2 jackets $1 total
Motorcycle riding leathers $2
Cowboy boots $1
Motorcycle boots $1
High top boots $1
Work shoes $1
Car cover in box $2
More little stuff too…

When totaling up everything the seller asked if I had picked out over 100 DVDs and I said that I was sure that I did. I was only guessing and after I got home I discovered that I had 155 separate pieces. As I wrote earlier, there were many movie multi disc sets and TV season sets. He asked if $100 would be okay. Abysmally stupid to haggle here, huh ?

As you know by now I’m a DVD junkie. Big time. And I just overdosed !

The seller then took me over to a 1991 Olds 98 Elite with only 69K miles on it. It had a badly dented door but the rest was immaculate. He wanted $800 for it. I considered it for a while but decided to pass on it since I already have too many car projects. Besides, GEM season is just beginning here and I’ll need the cash. Sometimes it is more profitable to not buy a good deal.

Now if what you have read so far sounds too good to be true, you are right but not in the way you are probably thinking. After talking with the seller I found out that he is in the business of trash outs and house cleaning. All of the items he was selling came from an estate in which he was actually paid to haul away all of contents. Funny that I had written about estate sales years ago and until now had never connected that sometimes there is a professional cleanup business that disposes of some deceased person’s lifetime accumulation. See ? The learning never ends (or I am such a dim bulb that I pick up new epiphanies on a glacial scale).

In B and H we are flying by the seat of our pants. That is a lot of the thrill of the hunt; you never know what you will find.

Best wishes,

agnut

P.S. Thanks for posting your own experiences; it does my heart good to see others kickin’ ass and takin’ names.