I’ve got a funny little story to share with you today. I wonder if I’m completely crazy or if this kind of mentality is alive and well in normal and sane people. Please tell me I’m not alone.
My beautifully blue typewriter
We started an online business this year selling full time on Ebay. Our little store, Ozark Fun and Games, is chock full of everything under the sun. We tend to sell lots of the things we are interested in such as toys, games, and books, but honestly you can find just about anything there. This summer I came across a gorgeous, perfect Smith Corona Corsair typewriter in my favorite color, teal blue. It took me all summer to get up the courage to list it. I knew it was a gem and would go quickly and I didn’t want to part with it! Since I didn’t have a place anywhere in the house it could go, I knew there was no way I was gonna talk my husband into keeping it so finally, last week, I listed it. Sure enough, it sold in just a couple days. It was a hard sale to make and I hated to see it go.
Serendipity strikes! Another typewriter…
Well later that week, I found myself walking down the most quaint little street with some friends and popped into a book store as I listened to the owner telling a crowd all about his Harry Potter selections including a Nimbus 2000. After the gentleman’s spiel I took a quick look around the first room of the crowded house-turned-store and just in the next room, sitting on the floor under a grandly displayed Nimbus 2000 what should I spy… none other than a beautiful teal blue Smith Corona Corsair typewriter, much like the one we’d just sold in our shop! I was tickled pink and held my breath as I turned over the price tag. With a huge sigh of relief I picked up the heavy bundle and made my way to checkout. Can you imagine? The serendipitous luxury of finding not one but TWO of these little pieces of blue heaven??? It was a heavy bugger but it was worth the hours I carried it around on the cobblestone streets in St. Charles.
Of course, when I got it home I had to list it. I still don’t have any good place to put it because I mean really who expects to find another beautiful teal blue typewriter after they sell one? You don’t prepare for these things, people! That’s why they’re serendipitous! But at lease I get the pleasure of knowing I still own one. hehe
Retail therapy for a shop owner
One of my favorite things about our little online store is that I get to buy all kinds of cool stuff (and get to snoop out some pretty incredible deals at times!) all without having to clutter my living space with millions of tchotchkes or spending my own cash. Retail therapy is all about making purchases for me. I don’t really need or want things. I just love a good deal and finding interesting pieces that make me happy. Knowing that someone is shopping in my store and finding something that makes them happy is even better than making the initial purchase myself! I love imaging the happy faces of our customers when our packages arrive at their destinations. SO FUN!!!
So, am I crazy? Does anyone else just like buying cool stuff and getting good deals even if they don’t get to keep them? I’m sure I can’t be the only one… I hope.
