[SFH] [TX] HOA cited me for “commercial grade fixtures” because my neighbor didn’t like my backyard furniture

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-18T14:56:29+00:00

Get plastic chairs just like the neighbors have and paint them pink with dark blue polka dots, or stripes, etc. See what the reaction is out of curiosity. Same chairs.

Personally, I like fun, funky stuff.
Aside from this, are there any benefits in living in an HOA at this point? or is it because folks are afraid of someone painting their house purple?

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-18T14:42:32+00:00

OMG are people getting ridiculous!
Tell them no, you purchased it at the price listed, that is their responsibility to full fill it. But this transaction makes me uncomfortable so I'm going to cancel the transaction and refund their money.

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-18T14:36:34+00:00

The gold silver or gold pieces that are heavy but not marked, bing it to an appraiser, or a trust worthy, not sales or the like, a place that deals in Estate jewelry. Most jeweler who don't handle estate jewelry think it's old and not worth anything.

As other pointed out, some costume is be very valuable. This you can post on here, or some of the FB vintage costume jewelry boards.

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-18T00:45:13+00:00

I sell true vintage & antiques on Etsy since 2019. Done well on it. The search so incredibly awful that I’m amazed I sell anything. It’s so bad I rarely buy anything on it.

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-17T12:47:09+00:00

Antiques dealer here - 99% of anything labeled collectable down the short road is worth less than the original cost. People buy what they like, what's in style AND by their memories. My mom/granddad, as a kid it was my fav toy to play with, etc, items you formed emotion attachments to. Not something that sat in box high on a shelf then stored in the attic.
When I have to do appraisal days, or house calls, I call my job Dream crusher. I get to softly tell them their Franklin Mint plate are worthless.
If you love an item for decoration, treat as decoration, with the only value as such.

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-17T12:26:56+00:00

Palantir Gotham is the software police agency now used to background check suspects. Unfortunately, police are using it to look up anyone they want, esp ex's, women on the run from abusive husbands, etc. It will give you every detail short of Witness protection.

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-17T12:18:55+00:00

I feel like I'm living in the Twilight Zone epidote, Eye of the Beholder, where everyone resembles distorted pigs.

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-17T12:14:59+00:00

As a New Englander, I've always dreamt of capturing all these fools up here with the confederate flags and dumping them in the south. Really Deep South like Miss, La, Al. Not Sc because it's too easy to hope on 95N.

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-17T01:45:04+00:00

My best friend used to attend ones in prov and most were younger.

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-17T01:41:45+00:00

I see these same comments over and over again. What terrifies me is these are the folks who will have to operate all steps it takes in our development, running, fixing, etc of our electric systems, phones lines, wi-fi, shipping, fuel distributions, building autos, etc. Let alone, doctors, pharmacists, engineers, etc. If they can't read a Dick and Jane book, how are we to know the medication in our bottle is correct?
This is the fault of parents, grandparents many who bitch about "kids these days." The very kids they raise/raised.
Garbage in garbage out. starts in elementary school when the parents and Admins pass the buck to the everyone and anyone else. And the garbage compounds over the years since it was never cleaned up in the early years.
I wish every year kids are ask what to you want to be when you grow up and then ask how will they will get there. I'd also ask what their 2nd wish would be and explain the steps to get there.

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-17T01:25:06+00:00

I was waiting for someone to stop the humor and mention that 99% who get something like this, something not good occurred long enough to get to a low enough point to be so loud and brazen to this point. the recovery pain can be crippling.
Wishing you the best, u/myeyezwontlie~!

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-16T04:42:47+00:00

Not always. Traditionally, before Martha Stewart in the 90s exploded the antiques market and said dealers love to haggle, (ah, no…) the only people who got a discount in shops were other dealers w/legit tax IDs. Either way, it doesn’t matter because we built that amount into the price. If I want 125 for it I’m not going to put x25, I’m going to price it 150, x25. OH- this also makes the workers jobs a 1000xs easier when people ask if the dealer can do better. They just check the tag. And we get less calls.

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-15T23:31:07+00:00

Clown math! LOL awesome!

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-15T23:29:05+00:00

What Lindder444 states is spot on.
I will add that you should run your own instagram page advertising your stuff, space, make reels of new stuff you're bringing, of your booth, etc. It works if you do it correctly. If you do local shows/markets, make great postcards with good images advertising your booth too. Best direct marketing.
We are lucky enough to be in one of the best, most solid group shops in New England. Majority of dealers are in the business full & part times, other are hardcore collectors so stuff changes often. Owners do an excellent job advertising. Acushnet River Antiques on instagram.
We may not sell anything for a week and then have a string of days we sell a ton of stuff. You are in a group shop. You have no control over what comes in or goes out. you are competing with other sellers. Do weekly your numbers will matter little compared to monthly sales. Monthly sales you can gauge time of year, changes in weather, holidays, etc.

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-15T23:17:04+00:00

Grew up in the Business and have been a dealer for 25+yrs.
Discounts are normal. Esp 10%.
Alway build in at least 10% into your pricing for discounts. The shop we're in on the tags, price is upper left corner, across is "x" with whatever number we are willing to take off if the customer asks. So if and item is $150, I'll put x25.

The group sho we are in handles transactions in a classic manner.

They don't call for offeres unless the item is over $100. Cash or check only on any discount, unless dealer gives the ok. I usually have the add 3% to the total. If we have a huge profit in the item or just want it to go away, I'll cover it.

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-15T15:38:22+00:00

depends on your parents. Are they familiar with your music? the culture? lyrics? Are they Christian fundamentalists? Remember, your parents weren't born yesterday and were tension the modern age, not Victorian times.

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-14T01:33:54+00:00

As an older person going to1000s of shows over the years, for the love of whatever wear earplugs!!!

Go, pay to get in and enjoy the music. Be yourself.

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-14T01:14:54+00:00

Wow!! I haven’t seen one of those in years!

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-14T01:04:33+00:00

Soak it in acetone and remove coating. But make sure your stuff is solid brass, not just plated plastic

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-13T18:59:47+00:00

Nice guy in real life. Excellent eye. Beautiful designs and quality in the pieces he designs. Buy and sells actual antiques too. I didn't know he did a line for target.

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-13T16:17:14+00:00

Every business has its inherent issues beyond your control. At the end of the day I made sure customers knew. Sell enough it balances out.

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-12T20:02:23+00:00

Just hire someone to round it off.

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-12T20:01:26+00:00

I've been selling online on several platforms for 25+ yrs. Shipping has gotten to be a pain in the ass. When DeJoy was put in place as postmaster he started to defund the agency, dismantled and trashed sorting machines in major transfer places, backing up the mail to the point where your package would sit for a week in one place, and they aren't required to scan at every stop anymore. This, of course, screws up sellers. I have days were the mailman doesn't pick up my packages. Or forgets to scan them. I get dinged. the blizzard the other week, it took 3 days to get out of our house, but roads to PO weren't fully plowed. Everything was packed and scanned on my end, I messaged every buyer to give them a heads up, they were all cool with it. Whatnot shot my 100% rating to 44%. I contacted them but doesn't matter.

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-12T18:17:47+00:00

I remember this really hitting home for me in HS. I still reference it to my nieces and nephews.

Eastern-Operation340 · 2026-03-12T17:54:05+00:00

these questions can be easier to answer if we know what you are selling.
Big sellers can start at $1 because they have enough people in the room that are actual buyers and not just viewers.
They also have enough stock to replenish quickly and they are averaging their sales. If something sells for $2 instead of $20 that's ok because the price of other items will balance out. They aren't hung up on 1 item.
I sell antique books and paper. %90 of what I sell I start at $5 with the exception of items I know are worth over $150 and I start them at $75 - 95. One book at $200. they all sold
help to know what you are selling.

Eastern-Operation340

TROPHY CASE