How to Tell the Difference Between Glass and Crystal

 Crystal can be substantially more valuable than glass, but to the untrained eye, it may be hard to tell the two apart at estate sales or thrift stores. Here are a few ways to tell the difference between crystal and glass to help determine if you should buy an item to resell.

1.  Hold the item up to a light, natural sunlight is best. If you see little flecks of color or a rainbow on the floor from where the light passes through the glass, it is crystal.

2. When lightly struck, crystal makes a musical tone, or if you wet your finger and run it around the rim, you will also hear a tone. (Think of the scene in Miss Congeniality where Sandra Bullock plays the glasses).  Glass just goes "plunk."

3. Crystal can be worked much thinner than glass, so if the item is very thin, chances are it is crystal.


4. Glass usually has sharp cuts, whereas crystal has smooth, clean, rounded cuts.


Happy Hunting!

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Thrift Shopping Workshop in Atlanta January 11

Are you ready to learn how to shop in a manner that maximizes your time and sales?

Do you want to know how to spot those uber profitable items in the sea of junk?

Are you looking for a system that works virtually anywhere and within a variety of stores and resources like garage sales, Craigslist, estate sales, and flea markets? If you are saying "yes," then this workshop is for you!

New for 2015, I'm offering a limited number of special 2-hour workshops in the Metro Atlanta area to help you learn to be a faster, smarter, and better eBay picker.

The first workshop is scheduled for Sunday January 11 in Marietta, Georgia from 1 - 3 PM.

The second workshop is scheduled for Sunday February 8 in Roswell, Georgia from 1-3 PM.

During this special intensive training, you will learn:

What types of items really sell on eBay and why

Which brands, styles, fabrics, and types of clothing will sell the fastest and with the highest ROI

What items appeal to international buyers and why

All the details you need to know from examining your finds to what items retain their value the best
and which items to stay away from

How to “work” a thrift store and sections to focus on when your shopping time is limited, plus how to get deeper discounts

What are the profitable overlooked niche items that sell and ship easily

Listing tips such as the benefits of different listing types and creative words to use in titles that result in more page views and sales


30 days of email support after the workshop -  I will be your personal help desk for any eBay questions

A copy of my eBook, “What to Buy at Thrift Stores to Resell on eBay”

This in-person training focuses on items that are consistent profitable sellers that can be easily found and are repeatable. I'll help you create a system for buying for resale using the resources available in thrift stores. We will not focus on hard to find or rare items like stamps, coins, sports memorabilia, antiques, art, autographed items, trading cards, or comic books.

Buy as much as you like during the training!

Cost to attend this workshop is $150 per person.

Space is limited so contact me here to reserve your spot.

I can't wait to have a shopping day with you and help you take your eBay business to the next level in 2015.

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Speed Thrifting with the Fashionistas from Thrifting Atlanta

 

It was a normal Saturday. My daughter and I headed over to our favorite thrift outlet. We arrived at about 1:00 PM and there were about 20 people in the store. We were deep in thought choosing clothing to sell on eBay, when a charter bus pulled up outside and about 50 eager thrifters entered the store.


I've been thrifting for eBay and Amazon around Atlanta every week since 2003 and had never seen anything like this. What was it? A thrifting field trip? A road trip with out-of-towners? A mobile eBay convention? Of course, I had to ask.

As I was working through the sweater rack, I approached two very fashionable ladies dressed to the nines and asked, "Excuse me, did you just get off that bus out there?" They nodded yes. I said, "What's this all about? Are you from out of town on a road trip?"

They explained they were part of a group called Thrifting Atlanta. The full-day outing is organized well in advance  including discounts arranged with store managers. The group travels to the best thrift stores, consignment stores, and resale shops around Atlanta. Each stop is only 45 minutes, then it is back on the bus to the next stop. After the ladies explained the concept, I asked, "Sort of like speed-dating, but with thrift stores?" Exactly! The bus tour day costs around $35 per person.

The founder, Keren Charles, is a fashion blogger and thrifting expert, and organizes monthly thrifting bus tours around Atlanta. She has organized exclusive discounts at thrift stores around Atlanta for Thrifting Atlanta Members. The bus tour day includes a bag lunch and refreshments, and of course luxurious transportation - no driving in Atlanta traffic. Just sit back and enjoy the ride, rest your feet, and get ready for the next store.

Then my eBay brain kicked in - what a great way to thrift for eBay. An all-day event, comfortable transportation, a variety of different stores, and you are surrounded by a group of fashionistas who could really provide some great information on fashion trends and brands. I can see people traveling to Atlanta to take this tour - or even eBayers who live here joining the fun. If transportation is an issue, this is a great solution and a creative way to get inventory.

Visit the Thrifting Atlanta website for more information about bus tours, Thrift and Brunch, and how to become an official member. Or check out their Facebook page.I hope we run into them again sometime, what a great group of thrifting enthusiasts!

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