Tallone
Hero Member
Well… it’s MOSTLY about the optics. I hit an estate sale this weekend. I went there mostly because of a Kitchenaid mixer. Turns out they wanted full retail ($180) for that so I passed on it. However, I picked up some other items that I think I will do well on. To wit:
A 35mm Minolta camera (body not working) with two lenses in very good condition. The lenses should bring about $60.
A Weston light meter in working condition. I haven’t checked into the value of these because this is destined for my daughter’s supply of photo gear.
A Minolta Weathermatic 35mm camera with case in like new condition. Should bring around $30.
A Canon Model 814 Super 8 movie camera with manual and a nice leather case. I need to get some batteries in it to verify that it works but, if it does, it should bring somewhere around $200 and $300.
AND… What should be the big winner, a Meade Model ETX-90EC telescope with a BUNCH of accessories. I’m still checking it out to be sure everything works properly but, assuming everything is ship shape, the scope alone should bring around $250.
The accessories include a tripod, a hard shell case, several different types of eye pieces, and an item called an “Autostar” which allows the user to have the scope automatically locate a large variety of celestial objects. I need to decide if I want to include all the accessories with the scope or sell the accessories separately. My instinct is to sell the accessories separately. The Autostar alone will probably sell for around $90. I haven’t priced the other items yet.
I said it was “mostly” about the optics because I also picked up a couple of other non-optical items. These included:
A pair of official badges. The sheriff badge is a disappointment. I thought the gold section was part of the design. Turns out the enamel has fallen out of that section. The firefighter’s badge should bring $30 - $50. The sheriff’s badge probably would have been about the same but the missing enamel will likely kill the value. I’m thinking I will be lucky to get 10 bucks for it.
I paid $150 for all of the above items.
On the way out of the sale I went through the garage and noticed this floor jack. The guy wanted $75 for it. I offered him $50 but he declined. When I got home, I started looking at the telescope in detail and, late in the afternoon, discovered the 12 volt power cord was missing. Fortunately, the sale was within a couple of miles of my house, so I went back to see if I could find it. After a good bit of searching, I did find it. On the way out, I said my offer of $50 for the floor jack still stands. This time, he accepted. This is a Craftsman motorcycle lift in very good condition (needs a little cleanup). Sears sells this new for $161. I will put it on Craigslist and probably get $80 - $100 for it.
So, all told, I think I have at least $700 worth of stuff here and maybe considerably more depending on what the telescope accessories are worth. Not bad for a $200 investment.
A 35mm Minolta camera (body not working) with two lenses in very good condition. The lenses should bring about $60.
A Weston light meter in working condition. I haven’t checked into the value of these because this is destined for my daughter’s supply of photo gear.
A Minolta Weathermatic 35mm camera with case in like new condition. Should bring around $30.
A Canon Model 814 Super 8 movie camera with manual and a nice leather case. I need to get some batteries in it to verify that it works but, if it does, it should bring somewhere around $200 and $300.
AND… What should be the big winner, a Meade Model ETX-90EC telescope with a BUNCH of accessories. I’m still checking it out to be sure everything works properly but, assuming everything is ship shape, the scope alone should bring around $250.
The accessories include a tripod, a hard shell case, several different types of eye pieces, and an item called an “Autostar” which allows the user to have the scope automatically locate a large variety of celestial objects. I need to decide if I want to include all the accessories with the scope or sell the accessories separately. My instinct is to sell the accessories separately. The Autostar alone will probably sell for around $90. I haven’t priced the other items yet.
I said it was “mostly” about the optics because I also picked up a couple of other non-optical items. These included:
A pair of official badges. The sheriff badge is a disappointment. I thought the gold section was part of the design. Turns out the enamel has fallen out of that section. The firefighter’s badge should bring $30 - $50. The sheriff’s badge probably would have been about the same but the missing enamel will likely kill the value. I’m thinking I will be lucky to get 10 bucks for it.
I paid $150 for all of the above items.
On the way out of the sale I went through the garage and noticed this floor jack. The guy wanted $75 for it. I offered him $50 but he declined. When I got home, I started looking at the telescope in detail and, late in the afternoon, discovered the 12 volt power cord was missing. Fortunately, the sale was within a couple of miles of my house, so I went back to see if I could find it. After a good bit of searching, I did find it. On the way out, I said my offer of $50 for the floor jack still stands. This time, he accepted. This is a Craftsman motorcycle lift in very good condition (needs a little cleanup). Sears sells this new for $161. I will put it on Craigslist and probably get $80 - $100 for it.
So, all told, I think I have at least $700 worth of stuff here and maybe considerably more depending on what the telescope accessories are worth. Not bad for a $200 investment.
