Edition 38

Hi all!

As much as we know you all love hearing all about what we've been up to, we also know that you're probably in search of a BARGAIN!

Well, there are bargains to be had.  Not only on our extensive website (where we are more than happy to negotiate with our newsletter subscribers) but also in our

eBay Store!

Didn't know that we had an eBay store?  We've had one for a while that goes under the name of Original Auspickers Collectables.

Our eBay store exists to offer items at auction to people around Australia and the World!  We also list a few items that we have a lot of at "buy now" prices, like the reproduction oil bottles.  But it is mostly auctions.

We offer automobilia, collectables like rare records, coins and banknotes, cigarette and trade cards, rare badges, militaria, toys, etc - generally anything that is small enough to be posted and so delicate that it can't survive Australia Post's handling!

The best news is, we start our auctions at well below recommended retail price!  Once someone bids, the auction is live with no reserve price and the item will sell at auction.

Here's an example - we currently have 3 Shell Household Oil tins on auction, along with a Shell token.

The auction has started well below rrp and the current bid is $20.50 for the lot (of course this may change after publishing this).

You can follow our eBay Store and receive notifications when new items are offered.  Payments can be made via Paypal or bank deposit.  Of course cash on pick up is available.

Have a look.  You just might find the bargain you've been looking for.

Cheers,

Peter & Andrea

Edition 37

Hi all!

Welcome to another instalment of the (sporadic) How Bazaar newsletter!

Nothing stands still here at How Bazaar.  Following another successful venture up the big road to Motorclassica in October, our return always gives us an opportunity to rearrange and revamp the shop.  This not only keep things clean and fresh, it also gives Andrea and I a little time to think about the business.

To that end, we've made a range of spaces available for new stallholders within the shop.  The details are all here:

If it's not something you're looking to take up, you may know someone who is looking to join Geelong's best collectables store.  If so, send this on to them or get them to contact us.

Motorclassica is not only an opportunity to bring our wares to Melbourne, it is a fantastic place to catch up with with old friends and to make new ones.

Here's some items we recently received that weren't at Motorclassica, so you may have missed them!

Remember that we will put things up first on our Facebook page, How Bazaar PS.  If you're not following this page then we'd suggest that you do.  The best items go quickly and it takes a day or two for us to get them up on our website.

Of course we know not everyone is purely interested in garagenalia (hello Maureen!). So here's a few other things that have come in.  Did we mention that Christmas is on the way!

While you're planning your festive season, keep in mind the we do have Gift Certificates and getting one couldn't be easier.  Come into the store, email us or phone and we can send out a personalised gift certificate for any amount you want (min $20).

Till next time, cheers,

Peter & Andrea

Edition 36

Hi all!

Keeping up with all the facets of this business can be time consuming.  Between Facebook (How Bazaar PS in case you've forgotten), online sales and running the shop, finding some time to write a newsletter can be tricky!

Well things haven't stood still since last we communicated with you.  Some of you might have seen us on the TV recently.  We had a little "incident" last week.  Nothing unusual - just another shoplifter thinking he'd like something for nothing.  Unfortunately for him, a good friend noticed that our taxidermy turtle was leaving us.  A chase ensued.  Then we ended up in the media!  Here's Channel 10's take on what happened.

We also turned up on Channels 7 & 9, many radio interviews and in the newspapers.  Jarrod and I had no idea what the result would be from trying to stop a thief!  It's just that we've had enough of people stealing from us.

If you haven't noticed, we have taken to making some short videos.  The idea is that it gives people some insight into how things actually work in this business (as distinct from what you see on TV).  We try and keep them short and fun, as well as informative.

For example, we recently purchased a large collection of swap and trade cards, including some real rarities of VFL cards.  Here's the little video we made:

It takes some time to sort through all these cards and for those who might be interested in buying these collectables, it works best for us to put them on eBay.  We have an eBay Store where we often put things up for auction.  We always start things at a very reasonable price.  It's well worth following our eBay store to keep notified of what's available.

Every now and then we just make a video for fun!  Like this quick Tour de Shop.

Till next time, cheers,

Peter & Andrea

Edition 35

Hi all!

We know it's said all the time, but isn't the year just flying by? We're also surprised to see that it's been five years since we launched the new website!  Well, it's not "new" anymore, is it?

Much has changed over those 5 years.  Both the methods of buying and selling and the items we stock for sale have seen marked changes.  Even within the 5 years since we set up this website, some might argue that it is now out of date!  Facebook, eBay and the like have become popular selling mediums.  We've certainly found that, with a quick photo, some things sell on Facebook within minutes!

With that in mind, if you are on Facebook, we would encourage you to follow us at How Bazaar PS.  We post stuff there all the time - not just items for sale.  Our videos go up there as well.

When we started How Bazaar, antiques, furniture and collectable smalls (china, pottery, glassware, books, etc) were still the lifeblood of the business.  Those of you with a nostalgic bent might think "sadly" when hearing that this isn't the case any longer.  But business survival and growth are very much about not being resistant to change.

A trend that has become apparent to us is the decline in collecting by women and the growth in collecting by men.  Obviously, there are differences between the genders in what is of interest.  The rise of the "man cave" has seen the growth in automobilia and garagenalia collecting.  And the rise in value of these items, be they oil bottles, tins, signs, petrol bowsers, etc, has been phenomenal.  Hardly surprisingly, men's collecting has become rather competitive - almost a sport in some instances!

Of course, whether we are buying or selling, some things are still tried and true.  We value face to face contact.  We enjoy meeting our customers, we travel far and wide looking for new items and many of our customers have built long term relationships with us.

Here's a few items that might be of interest.

This Wayne 605 Bowser is on sale at the moment.  Nicely refurbished, it features distinctive Golden Fleece livery.  Only $2750!

We recently made a trip up to Melbourne and picked up a truckload (literally) of African decorative items - statues, carvings, animals, humans, busts, torsos, lifelike and abstract. The most intriguing of these is, without doubt, Kevin.

Following the departure of Kevin, we had to find another Kevin and look who turned up! Kevin is currently $1550, but newsletter readers can have him for $1350.

Finally, here's something not named Kevin.

Or if he was, it would be Sir Kevin! This Suit of Armour came in yesterday and is only $695 (not including the mannequin).  A few people have tried on the helmet, some with quite large heads.  Just in case you're thinking of putting it on, you can!

Till next time, cheers,

Peter & Andrea

Edition 34

A belated welcome to 2017 to our patient newsletter subscribers!

Summer has been a busy time - plenty of holidaying customers calling in.  It's wonderful when people say goodbye with a "see you next year".  Many of them take the time to tell us how good the shop is, which is always gratifying.

Whilst giving some thought to this newsletter, it occurred to us that (as well as highlighting new, unique and special items) there may well things you want included in the newsletter.

It's always easier for us to promote the items that we know are popular, particularly automobilia.  Let us know if you would like more diversity in the newsletter.

Or you might like us to focus on stories, as well as products.  The popularity of the various pickers/pawn shows is as much about the stories as it is what they find and trade.  A reminder that we also have our YouTube Channel that has a range of videos where we talk about the shop, go on road trips and try to have a bit of fun.  We'll keep adding to these as opportunities arise.

If you have any thoughts or suggestions, send us an email (just reply to this newsletter and that will get to us).

We've been working over the summer on putting together some new Sideshow Clown Machines.  Built in-house from scratch, they have a fibreglass head and torso, new (speed adjustable) mechanism to turn the head and have been painted in a range of vibrant colours!

Why make new Sideshow Clown machines?  These items are always popular - so popular that original ones are getting almost impossible to source.  For some people, having an original is a vital part of their collecting, which is completely understandable.  Others, though, are purely interested in having the look and functionality as part of their decor.  These are for you.  $2450 each, but newsletter subscribers are always welcome to ask for a discount!

For similar reasons we also stock some Reproduction Golden Fleece Quart Oil Bottles.  Currently $85, but newsletter subscribers can have them for $75 each. 

We've received some harsh comments from collectors for selling these.  Again, this is very understandable.  But, they are clearly reproductions and the originals are almost impossible to get and prohibitively expensive when they are available.  For those people seeking to achieve a look in their man cave/shed, these serve a purpose.

A reminder that you can subscribe via the website to Categories and receive email notifications when we add something new to that Category.  This is very handy for keeping an eye out for that special item that's hard to find.  Instructions on subscribing are at the bottom of the home page.

A case in point is this Vintage Cast Iron Hand Water Pump.

We've had several requests over the past months for one of these.  One finally arrived via a trip to have a look at various bits and pieces.  $395.

By the way, Kevin's back!

Till next time, cheers,

Peter & Andrea