I’ve told you before about thrift store fighting moves and how to avoid having issues while secondhand shopping.
Well, it seems I didn’t really follow my own advice.
A few weeks back the thrift store I was shopping at was quite empty so I didn’t think it would be a big deal if I briefly let my cart out of my sight to check on some dresses without having to drag my cart behind me.
You can see where this is going already right?
It wasn’t until I headed to the fitting room that I realized that at least three items had mysteriously disappeared from my cart.
Three of the best vintage items.
Someone didn’t rip off my whole cart, they cherry picked what they wanted from it and left the rest.
I happened to be shopping with a very skilled pro thrifter Cynthia that day and she went straight to the cashiers and told them should anyone come to pay with a 1970’s vintage dress in yellow it wasn’t theirs, they had taken it from my cart.
Cynthia and I then scoured the store casually scrutinizing people’s carts trying to figure out who the brazen culprit was.
About fifteen minutes later I spotted a lady with a cart piled very high in vintage, only vintage and there in the middle I could see my yellow 1970’s maxi dress peaking out.
I approached her and asked where she had gotten the dress from she said right away she lifted it from another cart she had spotted. She said she had asked around whose cart it was prior to taking the pieces and no one claimed ownership. Of course I was on the other side of the dress rack and didn’t hear or see anything.
This is how world wars are started people!
I surmised she was a vintage buyer and it turns out I was right.
She was buying for a reseller downtown.
The vintage seller market is competitive and fierce!
After my blood pressure decreased my face turned back to normal colour and the steam cleared from my ears we had a long chat and in the end I will be popping by her place next week to see if some of her previous vintage finds might work for my shop.
This is how you end wars.
Talking with each other and figuring out how to make it work for both of you. Oh…and getting back what’s rightfully yours. Ha!
The star of this story is this pristine vintage 1970’s dreamy yellow maxi dress with matching bolero jacket.
More Of This Week’s New Vintage Listings
Do any of these pieces tempt you?
Please note I recently reduced the price of shipping at Vintage by Suzanne to the UK. It is cheaper however it does not come with tracking information.
Have you ever had anyone steal something out of your shopping cart? What happened?
For more tips on thrifting see my The Ultimate Thrift Guide To Shopping And Styling Vintage, Tips and Tricks To Shopping Secondhand
Well at least you handled the situation nicely, Suzanne. Although I don’t understand why you would look in someone else’s cart? That wouldn’t even cross my mind!!!
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I KNOW right?
Funny you posted this today, yesterday at Salvation Army someone took my actual cart while I was in the fitting room. Luckily I had ignored the max # of items and it was empty…
I find it really strange to think of thrift stores with shopping trollies! The shops must be huge. I’m always pleasantly surprised to find supermarket baskets in the occasional charity shop here and think how thoughtful! of them!
There are some wonderful finds here Suzanne; I love the kimono jacket and velvet blazer in particular. Reduced shipping to the UK? I must have a look…..
I know as a fellow thrifter anything over a couple of pounds is going to be too pricey ; )
Like me, despite all the brilliant thrifting we do on our own I can still be tempted by someone else’s finds.
Glad you got the dress back!
You got some great new pieces! I really, really, really, really love the velvet printed blazer. If it were just a tiny bit bigger… 🙁
It’s a shame. Someone else has scooped up that lovely piece.
Who takes something out of someone else’s cart?! That’s cra-cra. You’re right, behavior like that leads to violence. Your yellow dress looks similar to a vintage one I just bought from the 1950’s.
Oh you are having quite the run of brilliant vintage dress finds lately aren’t you? I cannot wait to see it on you!
I’m so impressed with your diplomacy Suzanne! Clearly, it worked!! Your ability to forgive is also pretty admirable!
There are a few items that strike my fancy here. I love the variety. The metallic brocade dress is gorgeous! Where can I buy that life?Is there nothing in this delicious bunch that you’re decidedly hanging on to?
To be fair I think it was the calming presence of Cynthia that made me chill out. In the end I’m glad though that I took some time to chat and was relaxed about it.
Ha ha! Yes, we all need more fancy parties to attend.
Jude you really must see my house (filled with clothing racks!) and my personal closets (yes that is right…three of them) and then you wouldn’t be asking why I’m not keeping any of these pieces.
Seeing your home and closets would be delightful! I also have 3 closets and one is in a bedroom that’s pretty much a closet room. I don’t have an Etsy shop! I don’t blog! Gawd, I’m just evil…
Have you made a Seattle decision?
Ha! At least I’m not alone : )
I have had photos of some of my closets here before on the blog….
http://suzannecarillo.com/its-all-in-the-details-organizing-your-closet-accessories/
http://suzannecarillo.com/love-my-ikea-closet/
http://suzannecarillo.com/shoe-storage-solutions-shoe-hoarders/
I’m 85% sure I’ll be going to the meet-up.
Hello again you AMAZING WOMAN, I clicked the links that took me to the Ikea closet and then i was enjoying your writing so much I just kept clicking links. I went back and back to interesting times in your blogging history. Bloggers in their 40’s that you appreciate, you and Robert reminiscing about time in France and then the saga of your surgery for endometriosis and cysts and polyps. I’d read this story when I first started following you. I even emailed you to inquire about details. I brought it up the night we met in Arizona. Damn, you really do have some compelling writing skills dear girl. It was even more horrifying to read that surgical nightmare now that I’ve met and laughed with you and hugged you goodbye!! These are the events in our lives that toughen us to the marrow but shit, I wish it was easier to know we muse grab lI’ve aND lover by the horns! . I had a scary medical moment about the same time you were having yours! By incredible luck an MRI revealed a brain aneurysm which of course led to my own surgery journey. Mine turned out well but the whole experience shook me to the core.
It is such a great, great pleasure to know you Suzanne. I’ve been riveted in your blog for a couple of hours and it’s been just GOOD. I hope I can see you again. Of course I also crave a moment with your amazing friend Melanie. Her talents, point of view, and wit are daunting but I sense an incredible heart and soul there too.
OK, that’s all. Thankyou for an engaging evening!
Love,
Jude
You are indeed very diplomatic Suzanne. I would probably have exploded and used explicit language. I’m glad to hear the yellow dress was duly returned to its rightful owner: you! It’s my favourite, together with the blue and green floral maxi. Great finds! xxx
I was very close initially!
Fab finds!!
I’m impressed that you turned a bad situation around into a positive one, meeting a new contact with some possible stock to buy.
I still can’t get my head round a charity shop so big it has shopping trolleys. It’s another world.
We’re a civilised lot here, my fellow vintage traders know each other’s stomping grounds and give our areas a wide berth. xxx
Vix you must come over for a visit! It is thrift store nirvana!
Oh oh , why is it that everytime you show your purchases I go ,oh oh oh. What a jewels. And I really tried to thrift shop in the UK last week …..but I failed. I saw a stain and that put me off! But I will seriously try in five weeks time again!
You shouldn’t be so put off by stains. Most of them can be removed. Try using Oxyclean. You soak the dress in it overnight. It works 95% of the time.
I too am amazed by your diplomatic skills. If she had seen our fight club video, she would know not to mess with you. Hahaha. That dress was worth fighting for. In the end you got a good connection. I hope that works out well – or worked out well. I’m late here, as usual. You got some great finds!
Well handled, you are a very composed person!! Lovely finds, the maxis with matching boleros are very cute. I think I’m a large in your shop sizing though so no chance of fitting in them!! x
Love the velvet pieces, the blazer and kimono! No, that has never happened to me, I am glad that would be touchy. I am glad that collar heads prevailed, and that you ow have another source- friend.! This si what the world needs, more diplomacy , and fabulous clothes!
xx, Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com/blog/
You did so well!!! You ended a war! And got great vintage pieces. I love the long purple silk dress.
Greetje