Op shop prices - what's going on?

I love treasure hunting at op shops. 

Lately, I've been surprised at the prices of some items.

For example, yesterday I went to an op shop. I noticed they had Little Golden Books on the shelf without any prices on them.

I asked the lovely lady behind the counter, how much the books were.

She replied, "$10.00 each".

Yes, $10.00!!!!

Now, I understand that opportunity shops do such a fabulous job at helping the poor, but $10.00 for a Little Golden Book? Um, no.

Last year I volunteered at my son's school fete to work on the book stall. 

The prices were way too much and there were a zillion books for sale. Not much was getting sold and that meant that the school wasn't getting the funds it should have. 

My theory is that people will buy more if the price is reasonable. Everyone loves a bargain.

It wasn't until later in the day, when the book stalls prices went down, that the stock started to move.

I think that op shops need to price their stock so it doesn't collect dust on the shelves and makes room for more stock and that means more money.

I understand that people buy from their stores and then put the items on eBay or sell them at the markets for a profit. Most people I know that sell used goods buy their stock from garage sales because it is significantly cheaper.

On the plus side though, I did get a bargain during yesterday's op shopping adventure. I found a vintage 'Learn to Crochet' book and it was only $1.00.

Looking forward to crocheting a granny square in the near future.

Leslie Caron

Swimming in the Dark giveaway winners

Congratulations to E. Etié of NSW and K. McMullan of Victoria - you have both won a copy of the book Swimming in the Dark

Winterfest Medieval Faire

I went to my first medieval faire today and I loved it. It was at Parramatta (in Sydney, Australia) on such a beautiful winters day.

My knowledge of medieval times is quite limited but I did learn many things today. One thing I learned was some images that depict those times may show people eating turkey meat. However, turkeys were not introduced to Europe until a later stage, when they were brought back from the Americas.

The birds of prey show was really interesting and was a highlight.

The photo above is of a masked owl. They used a remote control car covered in fur to show how the owl hunts its prey.

Lots of great medieval costumes could be found everywhere you looked.

I witnessed my first knight fight

and I saw jousting for the first time

Watching people make things using the methods used in medieval times was intriguing.

I caught this person having a nap. After all the walking we did today, that's what I need - a big nap!

GIVEAWAY - Swimming in the Dark books to giveaway

Swimming in the Dark follows the story of high school student Serena who disappears in her small home town of Alexandra in New Zealand. Her sister Lynnie is forced to return to Alexandra to search for her sister, a place she has tried to leave behind. A link to the girl's disappearance comes in the form of local German residents Ilse and Gerda Klein, whose memories of their home country under Stasi rule give them a unique understanding of the reasons for her disappearance. The novel explores how past experiences affect how we see the present and the awful power of silence about those experiences.

The novel is compellingly written, leaving the reader with their heart in their mouth and gripping the pages at the end of each chapter. It’s the kind of book that is full of unexpected twists and turns, jolting the reader into a suspense-filled world of dark secrets.

Paddy Richardson, award winning and best-selling author of 2013's Cross Fingers was one of the only international authors invited to attend the prestigious Leipzig and Frankfurt Book fairs in 2012, and it was this trip that inspired the German characters in Swimming in the Dark.

With thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia, I have two copies of this intriguing book to giveaway.

For your chance to win, simply send an email with your name and address to retrogoddess@mail.com with Swimming in the Dark giveaway in the subject line. 

***Unfortunately, this giveaway is for Australian residents only***

Entries close Tuesday July 15 at 12pm