Everybody always talks about flea markets, thrift
shops, etc. and the greatness of these places to purchase cheaper things for
your home and your life. There is no question that these possibilities are great.
However, people seem to only focus on those options and not mention auctions. Well,
I am gonna change that as much as I can by making this post!
Flea markets and thrift shops are extremely assessable,
no questions regarding that, but they can’t necessarily guarantee the quality
or the realness of a thing (furniture, plate, etc.) unless you yourself know
the specifics. Furthermore, there is the possibility of you ending up paying
much more of what an item is actually worth due to good salesmen, already
decided price on an item, etc.. It isn’t to your advantage always.
When somebody says auctions, one automatically
thing of finer and ridiculously expensive furniture from another century,
however that is only a small part it. Auctions can be a good and easy way to
purchase items that isn’t your standard (and potentially) worn down items from
the local thrift shop at a lower price than what the items is appraised at. Really.
No joke. It is all about being strategic and use some of the same tools one
uses when going to a flea market, e.g. willingness to pay for an item and
walking away from an item. Nowadays, auctions aren’t necessarily done in a room
filled with people, where items are being showed and you raise your number to
indicate you want the sodding thing. It can be done over the internet.
Wonderful invention! You can keep track of your desire item up until the time
runs out, where you have hopefully gotten it at a low price.
How lucky can you be with auctions? From my
experience, you can be damn lucky! Last Christmas, I had my eyes on a newly
produced couch (see picture) in a blue-ish colour and managed to actually win
it by waiting till only five minutes of the auction remained to make a bid. I
paid 1/10 of its actual value! I kid you not!
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| from Lauritz.com |
Also, I had looked around for a good armchair with
an accompanying stool for quite a long time. I had refused to pay IKEA’s price
for such a set – over 2000 DKK (£200) is ridiculous – and as such, found myself
looking at auctions again. The blue set (see picture) I won in the same way as
the couch, bidding at the last moment, and cost me only 1/5 of IKEA’s set. It
is slightly worn-down compared to the couch, but with my love for DIY I can
always fix it up later.
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| from Lauritz.com |
If you decide to go and try this whole auction
thing, then there are some things (some are mentioned in this post already) you
should remember,
·
See where the items is located – do you have to
drive after it? Can it be delivered to your home? – And if so, at what price?
·
Be certain of how much you want to bid.
·
Remember there is probably a fee charged on top of
the winning bid.
·
Be ready to walk away from the item.
·
Visit the showroom if you want to see the item up
close.
·
Wait until the last five minutes to make a bid –
however, it depends on the auction. With some auctions, you can type in how
much in total you want to give for the item and then it will automatically bid
for you if somebody raises his or her bid.
·
Don’t have it automatically bid for you.
·
There will always come other items, unless it is
something special edition, etc..
·
Go for the auctions where there isn’t much movement
(slow bidding).
Have you tried auctions? Or are you more into flea
markets?
Until next time,
Mia ♥
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