Odds 'n' Ends Thursday: The Trading Post Has Launched!

Run! Don't walk...on over to The Trading Post.

You've been reading about it for months and now the time has come. The Trading Post has offiically gone public. So stop by the new Trading Post tab and take a look at the rules of the Let's Go Thrifting! bartering system.

Please keep in mind that this is a new venture for me and we may have some technical problems in the early stages. Though I'm hoping that Blogger doesn't do me wrong by jumbling up my posts, like it has in the past. But I digress.

Do you have items up for grabs? Are you looking for anything new-to-you? Stop on by!

One reader even suggested I expand the idea to include trade offers posted via the Let's Go Thrifting! Facebook fan page. While I like the idea of utilizing Facebook for future thrifting projects, I think I'll let initial test run take place solely on the blog. Don't want to take on too much at once...

Questions, comments, concerns?
You know where to reach me.

Otherwise...Happy Trading!



The Week in Review: We're Hitting the Road

In the housebound boredom of being on temporary sick leave, I had the time to evaluate what I own and what I am willing to part with through donations and sales at my Etsy shop. I still have a bit of organizing and de-cluttering to do, though most of the trouble lies in my closet, not my collections. And since I have the rare ability to say that I'm done work at a decent hour tomorrow night, I plan to do two things:

1. Sort through unworn and ill-fitting clothes for potential Goodwill donations and organize what's left into a sensible grouping of pants, shirts, skirts, gym clothes, casual,  professional and party wear.
2. Map out an itinerary of my favorite suburban thrift stores.

On Tuesday, following my physical therapy appointment and a quick stop at the local library, I plan to properly celebrate my newly found freedom from temporary immobility by partaking in a solo Thrift Road Trip. I need to gain some fresh blog inspiration. And of course I hope to find some quirky vintage oddities, maybe stock up on some items for my shop. And....drum roll, please... I am also in search for an assemblage of items for my next Blog Follower Giveaway!

And don't think I've forgotten about The Trading Post idea. That is still very much in the works. So bloggers, readers and friends, prepare your wares for the trading. And prepare your minds for the blowing, by way of future thrift fails, weird and wonderful finds and a miscellany of misadventures!

The Week in Review: Thrift Deprivation vs. Housebound Productivity

Greetings, thrifters. Another week has gone by and I haven't been to a single thrift store. Well, that's not entirely true. On Monday my sister drove me to Goodwill to donate a few bags of leftover toys and games. So to clarify, I have not been at the thrift shopping this week. Oh, woe is me!

But I have been brainstorming fun new ideas for the blog, some of which I have previously mentioned. I am hoping that these plans come into fruition in the very near future. But a lot of the ideas require a bit of spending money for gas and thrifted goods, or at the very least the ability to drive freely. Being a passenger at the mercy of others' kindness and quite possibly being a regular pain in the ass in the process has been nerve wracking. I see the doctor on Thursday for an exam and new set of xrays to see when I can kick off this wretched boot.

'Til then, here I am on the couch with my laptop and a cup of coffee. And on a brighter note, not all of the ideas rely upon dollars or driving. Take The Trading Post idea, for example. I think we can all have some real fun with this.

But I am asking for a little help in the form of some honest opinions. I'm debating on having The Trading Post segment of Let's Go Thrifting on a particular day. Should I attempt to incorporate this thought into the editorial schedule? Or should posts be sporadic, whenever the mood strikes and the goods must go? I am aiming for editorial consistency, but I don't want to take on so much where the site values quantity over quality of posts. What are your thoughts?

Also, I was thinking of having The Trading Post as a seperate tab or "page" as its known on Blogger. Though I'm not sure if this would help or hurt the process.

Hmm...still some things to consider with this project. But no matter the frequency or position on the blog, I'm hoping everyone who participates will have some fun finding "New (to you)" goods in all of your trades.

While I still have some decisions to make, here are the basics on the trading procedure.
Feel free to shoot off some questions or ideas. Your thrifty insight is very much appreciated!

Wanna trade? Let's have a virtual shake on it!

_______________________

Welcome to The Trading Post!



This is a venue where bloggers and blog readers can share pictures and descriptions of wares they wish to be rid of, in exchange for goods they just got to have. Items will vary in size, style and value. But we’re hoping for some variety.

So take a look around, maybe initiate a trade.

How To Participate

Do you have an item you are looking to unload? If you’re a blogger, make your own Trading Post entry on your site, complete with photos and a description of the item. Then add your entry through our InLinkz list.

No blog? No problem! Just send an email with the info on your item to LetsGoThriftingBlog@gmail.com and we’ll post it for you.
What you will trade is entirely your decision, but remember that the parties involved in the trade are responsible for their own items and shipping policies.
Be honest. Have fun. And happy trading!

The Rules

• Please be respectful of other bloggers and their items. If an item interests you pursue the possibility of a trade. If you’re not interested in the offer, politely turn it down.

• Don’t forget to mention the issue of shipping costs when negotiating a trade. Each trader is responsible for their own trades, including shipping. Let’s Go Thrifting will provide the venue for discussion, but the trades are entirely up to you.

• Please respond to trade inquiries promptly and ship out items in a timely fashion.

• Are you hunting down a specific item? Maybe you should include a Thrift Wish List with each Trading Post. Who knows? Maybe someone will have just what you are looking for.

• Be honest. Honesty is the best policy with photos, item descriptions and shipping terms. Don’t offer or agree on a trade if you don’t plan on following-through on the deal.

• Have an open mind and have fun. Don’t think someone will want to trade their Pyrex bowl for your Pog collection? You’ll never know until you ask.

___________________________

Odds ‘n’ Ends Thursday: A Fair Trade

Looking to do something new with your odds 'n' ends? Howabout a trade?

In sorting through garage sale leftovers and potential thrift donations, I’ve been considering a few options.

• I can rent a space at a flea market to sell some previously loved junk.
• I can restock my Etsy shop with a few toys, books, bags and a miscellany of other vintage wares.
• I can simply bag everything up and donate it to Goodwill.

Sure I’d like to make a few bucks when I can. And Lord knows I’d like everything to be neat and organized. But I would also like to try something different. I’d like to consider the possibility of a trade.

I’ve seen other bloggers attempt a virtual trading post, such as the always innovative professional thrift blogger Selena of Apron Thrift Girl. And I imagine things can get complicated in terms of comparable value of the goods involved.  But I’m willing to give it a whirl.

In the next few weeks I plan to create a separate “page” on Let’s Go Thrifting dedicated to available trades for anyone interested in participating. I will use InLinkz for other bloggers to post and share links to any items they would be interested in trading. I will also extend an invitation for non-bloggers to participate via email. Just send me photos and descriptions and I will post the goods on your behalf!

Rules and further details will be posted in the near future, as well as a preview for some of my own junk ready to be traded.

Interested in the Let’s Go Thrifting Trading Post? Gather your goods for a photo shoot, jot down some details and prepare for a fair trade.

What would you be willing to trade-in?