10 tips on how to find cheap gold, silver coins, sterling silver jewelry, flatware & other items.

CHECK OUT MY NEW WEBSITE @ WWW.ARMEDTOSELL.COM

Ways to make money selling online.

How to find cheap gold, silver coins, sterling silver jewelry, candlesticks, vase, plates & more at garage sales / thrift stores.

c

Tips to finding treasures for resale

Today, I went out and did some treasure hunting in Pittsburgh, PA.  I found a TON of stuff and got some great head cam footage which will eventually be up on my youtube channel the Armed to Sell Network. 

Regent Square, an upscale neighborhood where I am staying had their annual neighbor hood garage sales.   Pittsburgh is one of the places I am researching on setting up one of my stores so I was very excited to see what I could find.  

 One thing I found a lot of today was silver.   I found a bunch of sterling silver jewelry, sterling silver salt & pepper shakers, 7 sterling silver candlesticks, some Mexican sterling silver forks, sterling silver letter opener & 1 gold cuff link.

See what large lots of silver are selling for right now!

How to find cheap silver coins, sterling silver jewelry, candlesticks, vase, plates & more at garage sales / thrift stores.

Finding silver coins, sterling silver jewelry and other items at garage sales & thrift stores is not as hard as one would think.  There are many treasures out there just waiting to be found.  The number one piece of advice that I can give if you are new to hunting for silver, gold and other precious metals  or items for resale is to do your research.

Check out my free research website list to help educate yourself on what to look for as well as identification of the things you find.

How to find cheap silver tip #1 - Know what US coins are silver.

US dimes dated 1964 and older are 90% silver.
US quarters dated 1964 and older are 90% silver.

US half dollars dated 1969 - 1965 are 40% silver.

US half dollars dates 1964 and earlier are 90% silver.

US large dollar coins dated 1964 and earlier are 90% silver with some exceptions of later dates with 40% silver content.

How to find cheap silver tip #2 - Know what sterling silver looks & sounds like.

When it comes to sterling silver jewelry, flatware & dishes, it is important to know what sterling silver looks like as well as how it sounds.   

Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% silver & 7.5% other metals, usually copper.   

Sterling silver is usually stamped in some form, once again review my research website list for silver smith hallmarks & stamps.

It is a soft metal which can give you inside into whether or not is is silver or not.  Stamps usually look rounded like the metal is sloping in.  

Weighted sterling is very thin and prone to denting.  Silver plated items do not dent easily.

When you tap on something sterling silver such as salt and pepper shakers, it will sound dull and does not reverberate like brass or copper does.

How to find cheap silver tip #3 - Pick up everything that you think could be sterling silver.

This tip works for many different things, not just silver.   

If you think something is sterling silver, pick it up, pay attention to how it feels, note the weight and the sound when you put it back down.  Doing this will build a memory of the different metal types you are going to come across while looking for silver.   

How to find cheap silver tip #4 - Have a loupe to check hallmarks.

How to find cheap silver tip #5 - Do not assume the seller knows that they have.

Many times when I go to garage sales or thrift stores, I find sterling silver marked dirt cheap because the seller does not know it is sterling silver or they just don't care.   Refer back to tip #3, pick everything up and check to see if it is silver.   If you don't pick it up, you won't find it.

How to find cheap silver tip #6 - Thrift stores have sterling silver as well.

I have found many sterling silver candlesticks & vases at thrift stores.  Many employees who price goods at thrift stores don't have a clue what sterling silver is which means you can score some great cheap silver if you are lucky enough to come across it before someone else does.

How to find cheap silver tip #7 - Do not listen to,  " It is just costume jewelry".

I don't know how many times I have been told that everything in the box is just costume jewelry to find out that there are 14K gold & sterling in little baggies for $1.00 each.    Put forth the extra effort, look and you shall find.

How to find cheap silver tip #8 - Go often.

The more garage sales & thrift stores you go to, the better your chances to find cheap gold & silver, the better chances you will find it.

How to find cheap silver tip #9 - Dig through boxes.

Dig through everything, you never know what box is going to have 

How to find cheap silver tip #10 - Ask sellers directly if they have any gold or silver.

Asking a seller directly if they have any gold or silver may not be the cheapest way to get gold & silver but you will at least have the chance to get some.  When I am at garage sales, I always ask the sellers if they have any gold or silver they are interested in selling.  This requires you to know what the current spot prices are ( these again can be found in my research website list ).   Make them a fair offer and chances are you can score some below spot gold and silver.

How to find cheap silver final thought.

The cheap silver & gold is out there waiting to be found.  Usually, it takes hard work & perseverance, but sometimes all it takes is a little bit of luck.   Good luck at all of those garage sales & thrift stores, and remember, if you really want some gold or silver, you can always find some in the on Amazon.

Ways to make money selling online, this is my story so far. Written by Sarah Brown, article online at www.theonlineseller.com

Ways to make money selling online - MY ONlINE SELLER PROFILE BY THE ONLINE SELLER

While many of his comrades were fast asleep under a hot evening sky, Adam Coleman hunted for explosives along high-traffic roads in Iraq.

Coleman was part of Special Operations for the U.S. Navy as an explosive ordnance disposal technician, a post he held for eight of the 11 years he served in the military. Recently, Coleman turned down a $90,000 re-enlistment bonus so he could sell full time on his eBay shop, FamousTurtle2010,  instead.

From bombs to treasures

Since childhood, Coleman has been going to garage sales with his mother, a fond memory that eventually led to his change in careers in October.

He credits his mother with teaching him the foundation and secrets to a successful eBay business, and his military experience as the engine to his online success

“It always felt like we were going out treasure hunting, and to this day it still feels like that,” he reports.

So instead of hunting for improvised explosive devices, Coleman now hunts for treasures, which make up the inventory of his successful home-based business. He sells mostly vintage home items and military collectibles, but adds that he will sell anything he thinks has value or that people will enjoy.

Much of what he offers in his store might be considered hard to find, so he reaches a lot of customers who are searching for a particular item they otherwise couldn’t locate. It’s fitting for a man like Coleman.

“I have trained to spot things that most people wouldn’t, because—if I didn’t—I would be dead,” he says.

When hunting for IEDs, there are telltale signs to look for, such as out-of-place rocks or objects that might be used as markers for hidden devices, Coleman says. When it comes to finding the right treasures to sell online, he researches key features to help spot valuable items and determine their ages.

Explosive sales

Not only is Coleman’s military experience amazing and beyond what can be put in this story, but his success selling online is also very impressive. He credits his mother, Doreen, with teaching him the foundation and secrets to a successful eBay business, and his military experience as the engine to his online success.

“I was trained in the military to think outside the box and to never stop trying to make things better,” he notes.

“I like to sell across multiple platforms as I feel that the diversification helps dampen the peaks and valleys of sales”

Within the first several months as a newbie merchant selling on eBay—he’s been listing about three years—Coleman achieved PowerSeller status. In his first year, he earned about $10,000 in sales, but that was just the beginning.

“My second year, a switch went off, and all of the sudden I just figured things out, and I was averaging about $2,000 and $5,000 a month,” he adds.

Coleman’s sales have increased every year. Last year he added Amazon
to his marketplace options—and his own Web store.

He moved all his barcoded items to Amazon and kept the vintage home décor products on eBay, he says. That decision proved to be very profitable, because it seems when one marketplace experiences low sales, the other picks up the slack.

“I like to sell across multiple platforms as I feel that the diversification helps dampen the peaks and valleys of sales,” he continues.

Of course, each platform has its own pros and cons, but Coleman notes that all three are easy to list on. And though Amazon and eBay have high fees, they both provide fast sales and high traffic, which can eventually lead to more traffic on his personal Web shop.

Wife and military are behind his success

When Coleman was on active duty, it required an extremely high level of professionalism and expertise, he says. His team would drive about 5 mph to locate IEDs along highways, clear U.S.-held bases of leftover unexploded ordnance from Desert Storm and disarm underwater mines.

“I have been ambushed, shot, blown up, and I almost drowned at 150-feet when my diving rig malfunctioned,” he says. “I realized after the third time of almost dying that I should probably start considering a new line of work and selling online.”

“I realized after the third time of almost dying that I should probably start considering a new line of work and selling online”

Originally, selling on eBay started out as a means to help pay for his wedding to now-wife Sonia. Just days before his wedding, a medical emergency came up, so he continued selling online to pay medical bills.

By then, he says he was already addicted to selling. From there, his online business took off, and Sonia helped with the orders while he was deployed.

“[The business] was not strategically planned at all,” he notes. “It was actually a knee-jerk reaction to the amount of orders that I started receiving.”

Wooden turtle inspires name

Coleman named his eBay Store based on a gift from his wife, who had traveled to Fiji and brought home a wooden turtle. Coleman made the turtle famous by making it his store mascot, and thus was born Famous Turtle’s Treasures.

When he started his Amazon store, Sneaky Squirrel Games, he decided to give it a different name based on his experience in the Navy. Those who were part of elite special operations—such as Coleman—with very hush-hush missions, were jokingly referred to as “sneaky squirrels,” he explains.

“On top of that, my wife calls me a squirrel because I am always hiding money around the house, forgetting about it, then finding it weeks-to-months later, and reacting like I just found treasure,” Coleman adds.

And it’s thanks to the support of his wife that he has made it this far with his business. Coleman credits Sonia with keeping him organized and on track, despite the fact she looked at him like he was crazy when he first brought home items to sell online, he says.

In turn, Coleman tries to offer that same support to his customers by offering a 14-day return policy, next-day shipping, and “going above and beyond” the call of duty to make sure they are happy with their purchase.

Visit Coleman’s listings on eBay, Amazon and his Web shop.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah Brown is a freelance writer who writes about e-commerce and small businesses. She recently graduated from Chico State with a journalism degree and is also a budding online entrepreneur, having launched two Web businesses and her own line of handmade products. Opinions expressed here may not be shared by The Online Seller and/or its principals.

An invitation to our google plus picking community

Join our picker community on google +.

We are inviting all pickers, resellers, treasure hunters, garage hunters, thrifters and anyone else who loves to find treasures to join our picker community.

https://plus.google.com/communities/105677307208689007327

My first garage sale hunt of the year along with finds & sales

This weekend was a great weekend for my first hunt. It was nice and sunny, which if you are familiar with the pacific northwest then you know that's a pretty big deal. I ended up spending a total of $100.00 when it was all said and done. I also learned about a prime spot for metal detecting so I am going to have to go check that out eventually. Ok lets get on with the finds shall we?

Vintage industrial style adjustable lamp

Danish Modern table lamp.  I wish I could have found the other one, but it was MIA.  I already have an offer for $25.00 for this lamp but I literally just listed it so I didn't take the offer.

Vintage TOKI mid century modern goose neck desk lamp.  

This is an interesting find.  Its an art deco goose neck desk lamp.  I am guessing its probably from the 40s.  The base is cast iron so its fairly heavy.

Vintage cosmo clock made in the USA.  Faux wood face with arcade like numbers, I am going to offer this one as a vintage gamer clock and use woody ( like the Atari) as one of the keywords.  Should be an easy sale.

Hollywood regency chic angel goddess wall plaques.  I just sold this exact pair for $38.00 so it was nice to find them again.

Homoco four seasons wall plaques.  There is a specific term for this style, I just can't remember what it is off the top of my head.  If anyone knows please leave a comment.

I have to do some more research on this clock but its Hollywood Regency and its called the Homestead clock made by Talley Industries. ( Made in the USA)

Vintage desk lamp with articulating arm.  I just sold the yellow version of this lamp for $39.99 so this one should be an easy sale.

This light fixture is probably from the 40s judging by the wiring.  I am listing it as Gothic Victorian.

This is another interesting light fixture.  This one is probably from the early 1900s judging the wiring and porcelain sockets.  Its  all brass with some sort of lacquer coating which is scrapped up.  This would be great as is or someone could paint it.

1ft retro funky mod Lucite candlesticks.  I have never seen any like these and there are none listed on eBay so we shall see if they sell.

Hollywood regency faux bamboo octagonal cocktail tray.  These seem to be fast movers, I have sold every one I have ever found fairly quickly.  

Well that's all for the finds as of right now.  I have a bunch more, but I have been listing all day, and I have not had a chance to take pictures of the other stuff.

Now I am going to go over some of my recent sales. (Not that there are very many, things have been SLOW lately)


Dorothy Thorpe pitcher and bowl


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130444983567#ht_500wt_922

Paid:  $3.00  Sold: $60.00     I had these in a lot with a champagne glass and another pitcher as you will see in the link.  I ended up breaking up the lot and selling the 2.  Its probably better this way.  They had been posted for awhile.     If you find Dorothy Thorpe items cheap, do not hesitate to pick them up.

Navy pea coat

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130478654323#ht_1402wt_907

Its spring, and I am still selling winter coats.  If you find a pea coat for under $20.00 I would recommend buying them as long as they are in good shape.

Paid:12.99  Sold: 79.99

Corning percolator cord

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130483770627#ht_1402wt_907

Vintage corning percolator cords are not worth a ton but they do sell.  You can't sell certain corning percolator bodies on eBay due to recalls so people piece together parts when they have the body.

Paid:$0.50  Sold: $15.00

Ship wall hangings

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130504902469#ht_1402wt_907

Vintage nautical items sell pretty well so if you find anything old and nautical, its worth a look up.

Paid:$4.00 Sold: 50.00

Vintage adjustable  lighting.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130504896458#ht_1402wt_907

These lamps are probably from the 70s judging from the cords.  The color is what told me I would be able to sell these,  it just stuck out at me.

Paid: $2.00 Sold: $45.00

Pendleton Tweed jacket

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130509513973#ht_485wt_1033

I say this all the time, but once again.  Its vintage and its Pendleton...  nuff said

Paid:  $4.99   Sold: 59.99

Graphic novel - Manga Naruto 1-27

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130493995677#ht_1402wt_907

Manga is expensive, but it sells.  If you find a large lot I would pay up to $1.00 per book.

Paid: $27.00  Sold: $100.00





Thats all for now, if you find this article helpful please give me a click on the above banner so I can get paid.   Thanks!  :)