Unique Thrift Stores May Sell Valuable Antiques

I love to shop. It is my drug of choice and completely legal, although I believe my fiancé wouldn't mind my being arrested for some of the shopping sprees I have. I especially love unique thrift stores and yard sales. The Salvation Army and United Way are two of my favorites to find unique items at rock bottom prices.

I once found the most beautiful evening gown that retailed for over $200 at 6Belk hidden amongst the United Way racks. It was in perfect condition for only $25 at United Way in Scottsboro, Alabama, which is only half an hour from my house in Fort Payne.

I've seen my share of worthless junk as well. Yard sales are great places to find such items. One yard sale that I went to had a sweet looking old couple who owned a gorgeous home. I assumed that they would have all sorts of expensive goodies for me to get for a bargain. I did buy two matching oriental rugs that were in immaculate condition, but was surprised to find an ancient and rusty weather vane that they were trying to get $50! Who did they think they were fooling? I couldn't believe it. I just packed my rugs into my tiny Acura Integra and drove on wondering if anyone would be stupid enough to buy that weather vane. Perhaps the couple was senile.

Not long after situating my new rugs into my living room, I was channel surfing and noticed an interesting looking program on PBS. There was some snobby looking guy explaining the history of some old looking paintings to a very eager looking older lady. The show was Antiques Roadshow. After the appraiser was finished discussing her tacky looking art to her he informed the woman that they were worth nearly $10,000! Now I understood why an seemingly senile old rich couple would sell an ancient looking weather vane for $50. I literally slapped myself in the forehead for not looking at that rusty hunk of metal for sale more closely. If something is old and made by somebody famous in their craft, then there are apparently a slew of millionaires waiting to hand out big bucks for it!