Can You Spot the Gem?

Thrifting is Trendy

Americans love a good deal—especially in today’s economy. Thrifting is increasing in popularity as younger generations seek greener options and major thrifting finds go viral. Just recently, WDTN covered a story regarding a woman in Dayton, OH who bought a painting at Goodwill for just $2.99. This painting ended up selling at an auction house in Cincinnati for $2300! There are also content creator accounts like @thriftandtell, @m.thrifted.abode and @saint.thrifty who are garnering thousands of views for their thrifting tips and finds. People love the idea of buying things at a lower price to enjoy for themselves or to resell for a profit.

Whether you thrift at thrift stores, garage sales, Facebook marketplace, or at auctions like ours, it pays to know what to look for. At Fink Auction and Appraisal, we appraise items for the seller and provide an estimated price range. But if other buyers don’t realize the potential value of an item and don’t bid on it, then you could score big if you know how to spot the “gem.”

Thrifting Tips

1.) Identify your thrifting goals.

First things first, don’t bid on or buy items just because they are cheap. This is how people end up with stuff that they don’t know what to do with. Have a plan. Know your budget.

Are you looking for something specific that you want or need? Are you thrifting to resell or gift to someone else? It’s not helpful to find a designer handbag for $10 if you don’t like the style and have no interest in reselling it.

And, it goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway—don’t try and spend money you don’t have. If the item is perfect in every way, but you shouldn’t be buying it, then it’s not the right time. Let it go.

2.) Pay attention to tags, labels, certifications, etc.

Some of the more obvious indicators as to what something could be worth show up in writing. You might find an American Eagle T-shirt in mint condition, but it won’t be worth nearly as much as a used blouse from Burberry or Balenciaga. The same goes for art prints versus original pieces. Finding a printed copy of a famous piece of art will be significantly less valuable than the original that is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. Sometimes you’ll run into real paintings that are done in the style of a famous artist but are hardly worth anything.

3.) What’s it made of?

Material speaks volumes. Whether you are bidding on or buying something for yourself or to resell, you want to pay attention to what it’s made of.

Looking for a quality foyer table that will withstand the test of time? Think solid woods like oak, walnut, or cherry. If it’s heavy, that’s usually a good sign. A lot of furniture is now made with particle board to make it lighter and easier to move around but it will also break down faster.

Want to buy a quality leather jacket for your dad? Check to see if it’s labeled Genuine, Bonded, Top-grain, Full-grain, etc. Full-grain is the highest quality grade of leather you can buy. If the type of leather is not listed, then it is either not worth talking about, or you’ll need to look for signs yourself as to what type of leather it is. I’d suggest doing a Google search to help you identify the different types of leather before shelling out a bunch of cash. Plenty of people are fine with leather that is not Full-grain, but you certainly don’t want to pay top-dollar for something that isn’t worth that much!

4.) Check its condition.

Before bidding on or buying an item, inspect it for damage. You don’t want to buy an article of clothing to wear, only to find there’s a massive rip in the back or buy a stove with faulty wiring. There’s also not much point in buying that severely water-damaged comic book with missing pages from the 60’s unless you just want to fill in your collection. It’s fine sitting on your shelf, but it won’t make you money if you try and resell it.

Minor damage to items may be okay for your purposes, but major damage is probably not worth it.

Fink Auction and Appraisal hosts both live and online auctions. At live auctions, items will be displayed up until the point they are sold. There will be ample time given to inspect items before the bidding starts. Even with our online auctions, you can check out the condition of items in pictures and during a one-day in-person preview before the auction closes.

5.) Use technology.

Chances are, you have a smart phone and can Google whatever brands, artist names, signatures, stamps, certifications, etc. that you come across. You can even do quick research on what to generally look for in vintage items, sports memorabilia, or appliances. Try using the Google app to take a picture of something and you will find it can instantly bring up hundreds of posts made regarding the item. This can reveal what it is, where it came from, the date it was made, what it has previously sold for, and more. That rectangle in your pocket can do wonders when helping you determine whether to try and buy something or not!

Ready to go Treasure Hunting?

You know it’s possible to find amazing steals, you’re equipped with some useful tips to wade through all the “stuff,” you probably have modern technology at your fingertips to research your interests…

What are you waiting for?

Make sure to check our Current Auctions and Listings to see what you can find!

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