I guess I might have to start junking around again, need some

[yy4me]

source of income until I find a job. With all that has been going on in my life lately, I was just laid off. Tomorrow is my last day. I have often thought about trying e-bay but with all the horror stories I read lately, I think I will check out Ruby Lane. Some of the buyers must have money, even if a big part of their portfolio just went down the hopper.

Even though I used to be(for 23 years) a furniture dealer, I can still tell a goodie in other areas. I really don't know what to do. The good co-ops in my area have closed and I cannot afford to open a shop again. In this market, it would be economic suicide anyway. Plus I don't have the start up money.
What to do-what to do.

[grasswire]

1. did you offload all your stock?

What about doing eBay drop-off where you are selling others' stuff for a cut? What about appraising? What about handling estate sales? A generalist who knows furniture could do estate sales well, I think.

And even with a little bit of money you can pick up real treasures at thrift shops and estate sales -- I know that you know that. But it takes time. You know that, too.

I think there still are lots of opportunities available for us peddlers. Some people do well by setting up a table at a weekly flea market, too.

If you need the help of a partner, I'm sure someone would be eager to team up with you in exchange for learning what you know.

Hey, perhaps you could teach a class at your local community college on antique furniture!

[grasswire]

2. I just realized that you are in New England...

...and perhaps there will be some good opportunities for buying with the economic downturn. Goodness, I loved the auctions in S. Deerfield and Amherst and other places. Fun, fun, fun!

[democraticinsurgent]

3. Antique Malls are a thought if you have stock

...I'm closing my vinyl record store and moving the inventory to antique malls. Eliminates most of the overhead and while volume won't be the same, it will be much less of a headache and possibly better income.

[yy4me]

4. Hey, my daughter is from Indy. She tells me the thrifts and yard

sales are pretty good in your area. Especially for someone from New England. She has a great collection of Brass push-up candlesticks that she has paid 2 to about 10 dollars for that go for about 40 to 100 in these parts. (at least they used to.)

I will be in Indy at Xmas and we will hit the antique malls in the area. There was a good one right next door to a famous bakery that is now gone (The shop, not the bakery). I bought a sterling match safe there for a dealer price of $55.00. Because the safe was made here(north of Boston) and has a very famous motif, I could make a chunk of change on it but you know the story. I think its a keeper.

Let us know what mall you will be set up in, she is always looking for places to check out. She takes me to Midland on every trip, love that place. Have been to a couple of others a little way outside of Indianapolis. Since I was a dealer for so many years, every shop is of interest.

Great city, I love it.

[democraticinsurgent]

6. Midland is my next one

I am going there tomorrow to get started there. Also I have records at Peddlers mall on Washington/Shadeland, , The Shadeland Mall at 34th and Shadeland, Exit 76 Mall in Edinburg (about 30 minutes south on I65), and the Noblesville Mall in downtown Noblesville north of the city.

There are a bunch of others that are good too, just haven't made it there yet. ;-}

[VeraAgnes]

5. What happen to Ruby Lane?

Did vendors leave?