I'm out of business, how about you?

[Vinca]

The group shop closed last week for an undetermined amount of time and my usual haunts for finding stuff are also closed. No garage sales. No auctions. This morning I woke up at 5 a.m. as I usually do on a Saturday when nicer weather arrives. The first garage sales should have happened by now. There will be no church bazaars this spring. No rummage sales. It's not so much the money as the fun I have doing it. Sorry to whine - I know, overall, I'm lucky because I'm healthy so far. Guess that's all we can hope for.

[snpsmom]

1. Life and priorities have definitely changed

There's no shame in mourning what's lost.

I'm a teacher. I miss seeing my students in person. Many are struggling. It feels selfish to worry about it when healthcare workers are fighting for lives, both their own and others. But it's human nature, I think.

I'm sorry, VInca. I'm sorry for all of us.

[Phoenix61]

2. I was supposed to be in Bali for the next

three weeks than Singapore for a week. Huge week long yoga/art/music festival in Bali. No idea when I’ll have a month off again. In the big scheme it’s whining but... I feel like the little kid whose ice-cream fell off the cone and landed on the side-walk

[MyOwnPeace]

4. Yeah, and "Uncle Donald"

won't buy you another one, telling you that you were too clumsy and don't deserve another (but he does buy one for your cousin, extra large with sprinkles!).

We're all in this together - care for one another and we will move forward.

[FM123]

3. I have a friend who is in a similar situtation.

She has an ebay business, but she shops garage sales & thrift shops for her items -everything closed down and is unable to get inventory. Sending you good wishes Vinca, hope things get better after this crisis.

[brer cat]

5. We are also closed.

I wonder how many malls will survive a long shut-down plus time for sales to resume.

[The Genealogist]

12. We lost several favorite malls in the past 2 years

There was one down the road just a few blocks. When I first visited, it was HUGE. First they closed the basement, then leased out a chunk to a storage facility, and finally just closed down. Another old fave recently closed down and is becoming some kind of banquet center. The town to the south of us was once FULL of malls. There are two exits off the highway for the town, and both of them had multiple malls. They've dwindled by half. I wonder how many of those left will come back after this.

[The Genealogist]

6. I have become a rummager over the years, myself

Didn't know this group exists. A very common Saturday activity for my partner and me is to go to the flea markets/antique malls (largely these terms are synonymous in my area) and thrift shops to look for goodies. $40 for a box of 500 45s? Sign me up! Not nowadays. But it is just a bummer for me.

It is far more than a bummer for those businesses. The flea markets and antique malls here are ALL locally owned. My favorite thrift shop is run to benefit a children's home. We are under a stay at home order, but it might affect 1/4 of all businesses. The local good old boy network made sure they wouldn't suffer. My partner went to get cat food yesterday because the cat had none and reported that traffic was as it is during normal times.

I feel for my favorite places to rummage in this crisis. Some may never reopen.

[Vinca]

9. Did you manage to find cat food? I found some on ebay and bought it.

My new motto re the cat supplies is "when you see it, buy it." I'm worried about the animal shelters, but all I can do at this point is send them money since - as an older person - I feel safer staying at home as much as possible.

[The Genealogist]

11. Yes, we found some kitty food.

Our regular pet store was in stock with kitty's regular brand and formulation. My partner said the sign on the door stated "Essential business: grocery store for pets!"

[mtngirl47]

7. I'm listing those boxes of stuff that I had been putting off

Remember, there are folks out there with money still coming in and time on their hands.

I also put the items in my ebay store on sale and I'm getting some sales from that.

I'm also cleaning out drawers and closets. If I don't love it or need it, I'm going to sell it.

[Vinca]

10. I haven't sold on ebay for quite some time, but that's still an option. Lots of my better

stuff is still in the closed down shop, but I could probably make a few bucks off what I've got here. My carping is more about the fun of doing it than money, even though money is important. Guess I'll be calling my husband "sugar daddy" soon. LOL. As long as we're healthy, that's all that really matters. Can a person die of boredom staying home?????????

[safeinOhio]

8. I have two booths in a mall that is now

closed for a while.
Happen by a yard sale yesterday and found a few useful items plus an nice metal boat motor gas tank. No big deal but will be able to turn 2 bucks into ten on Craigslist. Have a car on there now and getting more emails about it than ever. I've always had good luck with craigslist. Marketplace on Facebook works too, but I'm just getting started with it.
I'll be done with my new shipping container barn soon and i'll have lots more storage and looking forward to some great deals this summer.
I've done well passing out business cards. I usually get calls once in a while. Got some of my best deal that way. I've got calls from cards I've posted on bulletin boards and passed out 3 to 5 years ago. The first call I got more than paid for 250 cards and a second box. They are a great way find items. Put them on boards at stores and restaurants. When ever you strike up a conversation and antiques or downsizing hand one out.

[Maxheader]

13. Seem to be a few buy/sell sites..

on the internet..?

Nothing like social interaction...But there are personalities in the forums I

recognize after awhile..