Today I browsed one of my local junk shops - aka Antiques, Memorabilia and Collectibles. As I said - junk. But This is the first time I’ve visited since I joined CCS. I don’t know how I got the infection but for the first time I’m seeing STOVES! Now - Do I report them here? or Do I trust that you all have perfectly adequate supply lines and ignore them? or The unthinkable ……. Do I buy one? My anxiety was somewhat relieved when I found a Rosetta Stone translator in the shape of a fire burned M44 cook set (only) with an asking price of £30. I mentally cut all price tags by 2/3 and wandered into the cafe for a coffee. What? Oh! A Coleman 533 (variant unknown) with plastic carry case for £70, an old tatty Primus whose pump shaft dropped against gravity and whose filler cap looked like a repair in lead Victorian plumbing. Variant and age undetected for £35. I can’t imagine that I walked away from much. But Now I’m back home. What if……. ? Supposing it was ……..! Could I have ……?
If it calls to you. After 20 or 30 or more, you might grasp what prices can be. Start building shelves. Duane
‘One of’? Lucky you! Around here I’ve got charity shops (mostly clothes) and ‘high end’ antiques. Bargain stoves don’t get a look in. -R
I think those tags seem a bit pricey - but living in Sweden with a better supply of swedish items, I find lots of shops with +double price tags on virtually everything as long as some tourists buy enough to pay food and rent. If you really wannaneednow - just buy before someone else do it - otherwise roam every corner of every shop for that forgotten thing you can get for a nice price - if you then feel the extreme need for a rare item, a pricey tag could yet be acceptable.
I have several junk shops here in Plymouth mainly selling items from house clearances. I don't visit them now but used to regularly. I always point out any faults and missing pieces and then make a low offer and find they seem to enjoy a good haggle. So don't pay more than you think it's worth. Looking on Facebook marketplace locally there are 2 533s with carry cases one at £45 and one at £50
I’ll probably remain a primitive for now. Certainly until I can tell the difference between brass that has been in storage for eighty years and that which has been in a leaky shed for eight. @Firestarter Oh yes! Haggling is a big part of the purchase.
My favorite method of adjusting price is "can you show me it running" If they put fuel in it they wont be posting it anywhere and a stove like that primus isnt going to work until a few minutes maintenance is carried out assuming its complete
@geeves I agree - a good/bad sandwich often works: it’s got a good……. ***************** Pity it won’t……. That will take a lot of work/parts and…….. ***************** But I quite like…….. Unfortunately this particular establishment in the Ironbridge Gorge tourist area is a series of “load it and leave it” units and the owner isn’t often there. Also I doubt very much if they even know how to start a stove or have fuel for it. Leaving messages isn’t anywhere near as effective as a face to face with a hand held out ready for a shake.
Even via air freight one layer newspaper and a cardboard box. (turned the tap on and it lit so still under pressure)
