Overheard a guy at the swap meet brag about flipping a rusty anvil for $300, but he didn't know it was a rare Peter Wright from the 1800s

I walked over and told him the markings on the side meant it was worth triple that, and he just shrugged and said 'profit's profit' - has anyone else seen treasures get undersold like that at a flea market?

3 comments

3 Comments

charles_green26d ago

Bummer, I read this one guy online who sold a rare coin for pocket change because the buyer didn't want to argue.

robin77726d ago

Oh wow, that guy totally made the right call. Triple the money sounds great on paper until you realize you'd be hauling that anvil around for months trying to find the right buyer who actually knows what it's worth. He made a quick $300 with zero hassle. That's a win in my book. Most people at swap meets aren't there to become antique experts, they're there to move stuff and make a buck. Getting hung up on "what if I sold it for more" is a good way to end up with a garage full of rusty anvils and a lot of regret.

the_karen26d ago

Right there with you. I once sold a vintage table saw for fifty bucks because I just wanted it out of my truck. Found out later it was worth like four hundred. But you know what? My back didn't hurt the next day and I didn't have to deal with a bunch of weird messages from people trying to haggle. Sometimes easy money is the best money.