Michelin Bidendum Mascot

I found this at the free library shelves, but as they are really meant just for books, and the item was kind of unlovingly left in a bag with crappy plastic toys in this case I consider it trashed.

I gave it to the Man as a present first, but he Googled it and said it could be a collector's item. I found a lot of lookalikes but all with a coloured band in blue or yellow and crossed feet. A sitting model not standing like this one.

Finally at an official Citroën site I found the exact same, but new and still boxed. Though from the 1970's or so, it was at around only €30 or a bit over. Not the grand prize so I wasn't in a hurry to get it on line. On top mine had yellowed slightly from age or maybe standing in the sun in a shop window.

Two days ago I finally got it up. Now that with my 'new' camera, an oldie Canon Powershot A720 (bought €5 at the trhift shop, seen over €400 on Etsy, crazy!) I can take fairly good indoor pictures and with a new set of rechargeable old fashioned batteries that I found cheaply I have no empty cell frustration and I find way more time to experiment while it's too cold outside. Though I loved my Powershot A420 bought 2009 or so and it did well outdoors given the proper lighting, this is really a different quality and a big help for me, mainly because of lens size.

Now still something to do about the shadows with an extra lamp. Which I have just need time to make the set-up.

So the thing is I wondered if pictures like this would be good enough to sell. It worked with simple utensils like scale ore pan. Both sold quickly.

Now the mascot. It was gone from the website where I saw it before. But I asked €25. Someone did a public bid for that soon. Then things went mad. So many private messages from people wanting it for the same or less. Why? I replied you can go over but publicly. Still only pms, one did €30 after back and forth messages I but had to ship it then, not interested. Then late at night another finally decided on €40 but still not publicly. And by then I had an appointment. So to bad for me I had to let go at €25. 

But I'm happy with that after all. I think my price was proper. If not many way higher bids would have come. Item was picked up at my door, cash in my hand. No hassle.

Final conclusion: items like this also sell with indoor photo's. More try-outs are now listed and waiting.

Large Michelino Stainless Steel Cooking Pot 10 Liters

Found just a week ago in front of my door, just when stepping out to go upstairs. Without lid, and a hard to replace one because of non-standard Dutch size, and it had a stain of burnt food on the bottom. So I wasn't interested straight away, but pots this size don't come everyday, it had a firm bottom, the stain seemed removable and not every use requies a lid. So I took it straight with me for my Chef to work on. Because he loves cleaning kitchen stuff if it's of good quality.

It took him less then half an hour to make it shine again.

Took photo's right there and listed it. Had someone interested before yesterday, but she was weird about which delivery service I should use. I replied with the options I have, offered cheapest and made payment request. Then she was overbid and I withdrew. Made her angry of course, but I never felt good about her. Then higher bidder never reacted, so I removed that as well. Feeling a bit sour I comforted myself that pans always sell. Especially big ones. Yesterday someone living nearby messaged he wanted to come pick it up. I had just a short while before leaving for work, but he said he could make it. Then didn't, so we set a time for today. He didn't show up then messaged half an hour later he was on his way. And then messaged he couldn't make it again and noted 'forget about it'. I don't know if he meant for now or forever. But a minute later someone used 'pay now', button and did pay for shipment and all. And I accepted.

Later on removing the old messages from my laptop something appeared in a flash that looked like nr 3 had been at my door while I was away, but I had not seen that before. And now it's gone and I can't see it back or send an apology. Confusing and I'm not happy with the reliability of that site messenger. It seems the website on the computer shows more than the cell phone app. This is the Dutch 'Ebay', people abroad, what are your experiences?

Apart from that the whole hassle about this sale was not very pleasant, but one thing made it all up. Final buyer sent this note: 'Hi, I'm starting to brew beer from home and this pan is just what I need. Looking forward to receiving it!'. It feels like I found the right person and despite the trouble of packing I'm glad to be rid of that one big only right size box I had that was clogging my back porch all summer.

Brother Fax Machine

Today I brought the so manieth printer to recycling and made me €0,36. A light weight easy to transport model that I took to the recycle shop on the way to groceries. With it a few days ago I found this at my front door as well.

I can't remember the last time I saw a functional fax machine in office, even over ten years ago when my job there ended they were obsolete. But I just read for security reasons for example in government or healthcare they are still needed. Way advanced models I suppose. But then of course there are still areas in the world where the internet isn't a certainty, and where people still rely on phone lines.

Few people used to have a fax at home. You had to be rich or run an office from home. This one looks like it has been gathering dust for over 20 years. Back then, before the big renovations, there were no rich people in my street, nor would I imagine someone had a home business.

So I'll never figure out how this product, obviously already broken because of the stuck paper tray, landed on my pavement. It will take a bit more trouble to transport but I'll take care of it tomorrow and its precious parts will be used again.

Personal Scales

 

This Krups is my still most loved mechanical scale I ever had. Found probably in front of the door over 10 years ago. Replacing a digital Beurer the Man once ordered as a 'present' for me, but that I payed for after all. I never worked out the extras it offered, and once the battery ran down, I trashed it. Because those flat cells are expensive! It was way before my recycling instincts for such products and I apologize.

He meant well to replace my thrift shop bought Soehnle from even longer ago that broke down I can't remember how. But my eye sight is going down with age and sometimes I can't see the display of my beauty Krups that well anymore.

This Laica scale was placed in front of my door not long ago. Because of the slightly larger display I thought about keeping it. But it turned out to be not very reliable. Almost a kilo of difference with my Krups on my weight. And I just can't part with that bright Seventies orange!

So without hesitance I listed it just two weeks ago, but did mention the somewhat poorer quality. It all depends what someone needs. Today a primary school teacher came to pick it up to use in class for educational ends. On top she found an analogue kitchen scale in further down in my street for the same purpose!

What are your thoughts about digital versus analogue scales? I have both digital and analogue kitchen scales but end up using my Seventies Soehnle nine out of ten times. That device is a thing I took home from the mailroom at work over 35 years ago when they changed to something better.

Fuse Box

Never seen in bulk trash before: the leftovers of a demolished fuse box. I'd think a professional electricien knows the value of the material and would take it back to the company. Photo's after sorting and taking out the non redeemable plastic parts. Picked up two days ago late at night in front of my door, away today. An easy and compact haul that still made me €0,32 cents at the recycle shop.

The stuff was left in the box of the replacement device. Good for a future shipment of I don't know yet what. Though not in short of yet, as I have needed a couple in the past months I have room to store this for a while. Also inside two large sheets of strong paper that are perfect foor book shipping.

For the little effort this took a good find!

PS: garden plants picked up this summer. Doing well and I love them.

Dog Bed #4

I found this early August in a corner nearby that is used by some people as a sort of giveaway place, but apart from some consumables I didn't like so left for others so far the only things I took were a broken electric device and some clean but not very interesting clothes (jeans if I remember well) brought to the recycle shop for the kilo price. Therefore I consider the place as a trash dump after all.

This wicker dog bed is not trash though. It has some minor issues and is not shiny new, but still firm and for years to last. At this size (70 cms wide) it may be a major attack to the budget of a dog owner. But knowing I wouldn't get the nice €25 I got for the one in this post I set the price at a fixed €10. Shortly in the second listing period earlier tonight I could make an appointment with someone fom my town for pick-up tomorrow morning.

Knowing dog beds always go it was a matter of waiting: This smaller wicker one went quickly, as well as this fabric little thing for a mini dog.

IKEA Moppe #3

Today first off I have to thank my fellow blogger Gregg Koepp for mentioning me on his blog 'Not Buying Anything'. He links to the sous vide cooking device I successfully sold earlier this year in his section 'Dumb Consumer Item of the Month'.

I always look forward to his new posts not because they are about what I do, but because he shows how you can live a happy and fulfilled life without buying loads of advertised products and thus producing limited trash. Do check it out if you need inspiration to get out of the ever thundering economy. And do not fear, this man and his wife Linda are neither vegan, woke or refusing modern comfort, nor do you necessarily have to move to the countryside.

But I particularly like how Gregg calls me the trash liberator!

To the point:

The next IKEA Moppe mini chest of drawers that I found  a couple of weeks ago just in my street. Not so attractive because it's missing one drawer, but it could still sell to someone who'd use it in a garage or other workplace as an organizer for small stuff. But instead I will take it to the thrift shop tomorrow, where I badly need an extra for price stickers, staples, tape and so on, on the stockroom desk next to this model we already have, to replace a plastic thing with drawers that are so stuck that I don't even know what's inside. My fingers are already itching!

Flattened Cans

Two bread bags full of flattened soda and beer cans ready to go to the recycle shop. Bags from full 800 gram loafs, the cans make a bit over 600 each. Which, at €2,30 per kilo will pay me €2,80 or close to that. All collected in about six weeks, just picking them up from street litter while being on the way to or from work or groceries.

Deposit cans unfortunately loose their value when flattened by cars or by being trampled by feet. Though I think that's unfair I'm happy to get at least some money. It may not be much but if you think this is really considered trash by most people (even the homeless deposit collectors leave them) and the little effort it takes it's worth it. And on top some cans are non deposit anyway because from abroad or sold in multi packs so the producers can avoid the rules of charging it.

I do the same with plastic packaging an non deposit bottles, but there we talk about different volumes and prices and I'll dedicate another post to that.

Curb Tomatoes

There is a shop at about ten minutes cycling from my home, still in the old parts of Amsterdam, that I visit every two or three weeks or sometimes more often. So it's funny that at a few doors down, all summer I didn't notice the tomato plants in the tree's bed. Only early this month, actually scouring for tradeable trash I saw the red fruits shining. And obviously they didn't grow there from fallen seeds, as the plants are carefully bound up. How cool! It made me wonder if the gardener did this for the passer by or for his or her own consumption? In lack of a balcony or garden? Anyway as I was in a hurry I just took off. But when I came back a week later all the ripe ones were still there so I took the liberty to take two hands full. Small but tasty enough in my salad and omelette.

And on top there are two varieties. These here on the bottom are kind of mini beef tomatoes.

My own tomatoes are bigger, but still green in my shadowy garden. Curious to see what is left in that street coming week or later. If people leave them it may just be an idea for next year to plant some near my house where there is more light.

Another Laundry Basket

Found somewhere 2024 in front of the door. Looking brand new. Brand sticker Allibert was still on but in the end washed off by the rain. Waited in in my backyard until May this year for finally getting photographed and the necessary clean-up needed in the meantime to list it. Offered cheap it still took a second relisting before today it was finally picked up at almost half price from what I asked. It doesn't matter. € 2,50 cash in my pocket and it's gone and rescued! I would have gladly given it to the thrift shop but clumsy to transport on my bicycle even though a short trip. It was the second succesful sale of this product after this one.

Zara And Bershka

I've been 'away' for a while. Big financial worries needing all my time to survive. But we managed, thanks to bottle and can deposit and trash recycling compensation. In the meantime book sales went up and finally two pairs of shoes that I didn't want to sell at kilo price in the first place sold both at once.

Zara.

Bershka.

Both pairs found after going for I don't remember what March this year. But first I was stopped in my tracks by bags full of texttiles by the bin for that at the end of my street. But cut up by rummagers so I had to pack over in my own smaller bags and make several rounds. Finally done I went for real but took another side road and found even more clothing plus these two pairs.

All the textiles sorted out I kept a few things for me and the Man and sold the rest at kilo price. But the shoes, though cheap were popular brands so I decided to give them a chance on line. But being sort of winter shoes first listing period without succes. Gave it another try relisting but was about to give up when to my surprise both went last Sunday. And not to the same buyer. Profit €3 the pair, not much but a lot better than kilo price and for the effort okay enough.

Marie

Meet Marie, enjoying her perfectly made to her size baby chair. I sold others in the past but it took time and didn't make me much. Man took this one home for a previous cat, with a calico cat from the past in mind that would always sit on a red plastic baby chair.

Marie came to my neighbour in 2016. I forgot but thanks to Facebook I know the date. I did remember he named her Leah. By the time she was adult sized I spotted her in my yard eating bread crusts thrown out for the birds. The owner is notorious for sparcely feeding his dogs. I said to her: one day, if you agree, you'll be mine.

I'll try to keep it short. I know she had loads of babies. All to be sold. But one was kept to produce even more. In 2019 formerly Leah started to come to my place to eat. She was obviously pregnant. But still went back home. In 2020, during Covid19 lockdown she came back, pregnant again. I couldn't work, had a close to three months paid holiday so I had a lot of time to spend with her. And she decided to give birth in my house. The next day the complete family was picked up by a stray cat society. I was about to start working again and with my irregular hours it was the best thing to do. The rescue people were thrilled, because they had offered the owner to 'do' both his cats for free and he refused.

When she was brought back to me three months later she almost jumped in my arms. Still I opened the back door and let her free. She never went back to her previous home. Marie has gained a lot of weight since and also her fur that was very poor came back. At the time we couldn't even see the rings on her tail.

Marie's daughter was later on picked up by neighbours and sent to SAZ because she was pregnant and roaming the streets looking for food. She was placed back in the yard and still lives at her original home. Apparently she's been taken good care of now.

But we also have Marie's granddaughter, Belle, but that's another story. Also how we named her and renamed Marie.

A Soup Of Earphones

I don't normally 'do' public trash bins. I leave that to the homeless looking for deposit bottles and cans. But one evening shortly, coming home from work fairly early and passing by, I took the time to walk around the square of the Amsterdam Central Station, hoping to get some deposit just to grab from the pavement. I got some, but then there were bins with the door opened by the scavengers, plastic bag half hanging out. Just like this one. Photo from internet but in the street running from the CS.

Then I saw this huge knot of wires on top of one pretty full bag. E-waste has a kilo price and it was easy to get out without getting my hands dirty I thought. But there was more deep down than I expected and I kept digging and digging up the soup... until I started to hit real muck and had to stop. But I think in all I got some 90 % out.

It was a weird experience and it won't make me a lot of money but I don't regret it.

I just really wonder, who has two kilos of (unused) earphones and needs to get rid of them in a public trash can?

Antique School Poster

I thought I was done showing old finds. Cleaning up my files and cloud I found this brought to me by my dog walking friend Freek September 2014.

In the before digital age school posters were a big help to visualise information in class. From my own time Apart from dull maps I remember mostly the ones with nature reproductions all originally hand painted by well-known artists. Some of those if in a good state are worth a lot of money. But there must have been more like this one for history. Some sought after names are Isings, Jetses and Koekoek.

Currently this one by De Wetstein Pfister for sale €60. But it's on a roll so newer than mine which is on a board. This may date back to before 1940 or so! It never sold having the damage you can see. So in 2015 I donated it to the thrift shop where I had just started as a volunteer then and where it eventually was sold €7,50.

Garden Table For Crops

I found this last year summer. Took it for plant pots, smaller ones that support crops like radishes or spring onions. But I didn't have any radish seeds and the spring onions were a fiasco (as well as this year, I don't know what the supermarket sold me, but if from hands full of seeds sowed not one grows normally something's not right). 

The idea is that smaller pots if raised are better protected against slugs and on top my experience (from hanging on the wooden fence) is that the rough wood helps as well. They don't like creeping up on it.

I left it behind the shed and sort of forgot about it. Never even checked condition, but at first sight it looked good.

This year I suddenly have a load of radish seeds, from a batch of expired all sorts donated to the thrift shop that I couldn't put for sale. I take take them home and experiment. Well from the bean seeds so far nothing came up. That's why.

I threw a handfull of the radish in a grow box and most came up. So I had to plant them out. Started yesterday. But I put the pots in the wrong place. Too low to the ground, overnight they were visited by slugs. Those that survived suffered from the few hours of sun that I have right there in the hottest time, between 1 and 4 pm. Actually I recently learned that radishes, and most root crops, don't like too much sun. So they should be perfect for my shadowy garden.

I then remembered the table. Behind the shed where I stored it would have been an ok place because the trees behind filter the light, but the thing is currently it's kind of a jungle from wild plants that I didn't have time for to remove straight away. And those attract bees so as long as I don't need the space they can stay.

I did have to do some cutting to pull the half overgrown table out! But found the perfect place for it by the north side of the fence, and folding it out it turned out, though old and used, to be perfectly intact. This is close by my back door and handy to keep an eye on the growth. I'll see tomorrow morning how they are doing. Now knowing that these seeds are good I can alway sow again and this time directly in the pots and I have some place for more.

The chair that came with tthe table is damaged though, but that has served as a pot stand since last year underneath the upstairs balcony. This one radish is doing well since yesterday. I forgot what experiment is in the other pot. The little pot is flowers from free seeds a supermarket hands out.

Shoe Recycling

Yesterday I found this pair of pretty good looking shoes in front of my door. But all plastic and of an unknown brand. To possibly sell but most likely bring to the recycle center.

But at closer look I found the crack in the sole of one of them. It goes quite deep and you can feel it from the inside.

Made me wonder, would they still be wearable for someone in a place where people are in need of everything, and how would they get there? Or could they be recycled?

Did some research and to my dissappointment shoe recycling is pretty nonexistent. Plastic and leather uppers can best be burnt as well as the rubber soles. As a matter of fact that is what happens to car tires.

Currently I have two pairs of totally worn-out shoes that I didn't want to claim my kilo reward for but still dump them in the textiles recycling bin instead of throwing them away. But even that seems to be useless. They'll just go to trash tomorrow.

For now I've decided to give the pair above the benefit of the doubt and claim my little reward for them. Even if later on people will send them to incineration. In the past seven months I gave them some crap but mostly hardly used and/or very fashionble textiles and shoes. Some maybe expensive. Just no big popular brands.

   

For that reason I did try to sell these. I thought I could make a couple of coins on at least intact Zaras and Bershkas. So far no luck. I'll send the whole lot together to recycle shop. I picked them up last March from the next corner.

I just hope that the previous owner of the lace boots thinks before buying cheap shoes again.