Guess Vest and AI

This was in front of my door I don't remember when, just thrown over the top of the underground dumpster. A really nice piece in mint condition,  but then in my closet for years. And how it became to look like this:

Now this is what totally free AI can do to a photo of a creased garment. I just found out yesterday when they said on the news people on Vinted do this all the time.

I wish I had known at the time. But doubt if I would have really used it and then sold the vest. What do you think? I would have been scared to ship it without an honest picture.

The one thing that is wrong to begin with is that this colour is just not in fashion now.

But it was 2024 and I was slowly getting back into selling on Ebay, forced myself to do any listing, but didn't put time and effort in it. If I could redo it I'd take out my model, dress it in a thick sweater and pull the vest over it, so the viewer would have a realistic idea of how it looks on someone with size M.

Alas too late. I dumped it in the kilo bag after 32 weeks. It's fine. We count Guess stores, expensive enough for me, but not that special for the real fashionistas or people with a really big wallet.

Bottle Deposit

Not so exciting but believe me especially in summer sometimes bottle and can deposit make me the most of extra money, up to at least €50 a month. Last year August was crazy as I went over 200! But I didn't have much work then so I had to and I had the time. Now things are more normal, but only at day 7 I already made over €17, where book sales are at €9,50 and Ebay zero. But things can change.

Anyway this is just the result of a five minute trip between supermarket and home.

First a single regular lager bottle thrown a demolition dumpster at a renovation site. Crossed the main road after and saw the multipack cardboard box in a flash by the glass recycling bin... but didn't stop yet. I wasn't sure what it was and I hate to put strain on my old legs getting off the loaded bike for nothing. Hit my brakes five meters further after all for the plastic bottle that was thrown on the curb. As I was off my bike already I returned. Good idea! Twelve special Belgian beer bottles, but in a regular shape that I know will be paid out. In all €1,45 in minutes and home was two minutes from there. I found more on a second trip later on and the next day I cashed in €2,30.

It goes like that every day. I bring in finds of the day before and on the way home I pick up for the the next day.

Lovely Green Armchair

Across the street last Thursday late at night. An immediate yes I want it!

Got straight down to work to get my old stained Ikea cream white cloth covered one out. Found years ago same spot, happy then. But now... Washable yes, but I wasn't going to.

The neighbour who donated the chair to the curb even came out to help me to move it to my door! Then big disapointment: it didn't pass through, not even on the side because the backrest is too high. We left it were it is.

I didn't ask how he ever got it in or out of his flat. Probably through the front window, but in my case then it would land in my bedroom with another narrow door and no passing.

Sad, I will now post it on Facebook to hopefully make someone happy before trash pick up next Wednesday morning.

I felt a bit guilty about leaving my old chair out on non trash night. But I didn't want it back in. Happy for now with the empty space in my room and it was only the extra seat for a visitor that I have an alternative for if needed. 

But the weirdest is that on Friday morning it was gone and for sure by trash pickers not the city collection service. Taken together with a kind of dull grey modern rectangular sofa that the neighbour had also left there. Puzzled why they didn't take the best piece. Or did they see just like that is has a size problem?

Clearing Up Shoe Stock

These have all been on Ebay since November/December last year and will go out for the kilo price tomorrow. It's a shame but I don't mind. All from bags placed nearby clothing bins, just on the curb, or just loose on the curbside.

Strellson smart men’s shoes. Great shape, pure leather, nice quality but not very high end brand.

Mango half open pumps. Cute, but nothing special apparently.

H&M plastic slippers. Tried really cheap, without result.

Gucci. This hurts a bit. But I think lookers may want proof of them not being counterfeit and I don't have it. Too bad before I photographed them I counted one of the shops in The Netherlnads and met the area manager for Europe, now I don't want to wait for November again. If I get scheduled for it at all. If I do I may just show him for fun and perhaps he can tell me from which year the are. Not vey recent for sure.

Converse low sneakers in condition to last for at least two more years. Fore sure any thrift shop will be more than happy.

The North Face Lightweight Outdoor Coat

This was one of the clothing items I hauled home with the Desigual Shoes.

As said before selling clothing is not my focus but I know these jackets are popular with youngsters especially third or even later generation descendants of immigrants from North Africa or the former Dutch colonies.

Trying to find out which exact model I had the Dryvent print on the sleeve was my only clue. The online info is not quite clear. I came to the Antora first and listed it as that. But that has a cord in the hood, mine did not. Didn't matter, I sold it within two days. Looking again it turns out I had the Quest Dryvent.

Both models sell at original price €130. And both discounted down to about 90, but then not in black or not in the L size that I had. So I asked €30, in line with what other sellers ask and accepted bid 25.

Guy who came to pick it up was not a younster and more XL to XXL size, paid cash and ran off. I wondered, a trader not wanting to miss a too good deal or a father just in a hurry? It's fine with me.

XL Belly Bottle Vase

Picked up on my home from groceries just four weeks ago. Two streets away so a bit of a hassle to load up and add to the weight but I managed to tie it up on the back of my bike with a bungy cord, that is always traveling with me. Doing so I think I met the giver as someone came out to bring more stuff to the spot.

But I had. enough and didn't want to look. Though not restricted to outdoors, this is something people love to have in their garden so sure to sell this time of the year.

Listed pick up only at first. Then saw the box in my room. Recently taken in from in front of the door with contents to sort out inside. Forgot what was in it. But it seemed just the perfect size. Checked, yes. 

Adding shipping sure helps to sell faster. Ordered, payed and shipped this morning and that box is gone as well. My profit €10 is in line with what other people ask for comparable products.

Desigual Sofia Ankle Boots

Found beside textiles collection bin. With three more bags of clothing. Container was full, but bags were open shoppers, not suitable to put inside anyway.

All of it brought to recycle centre, but the shoes in original box, looked interesting.

However soon as I took them out to photograph I saw the damage. Still perfectly wearable of course because only on the inside, if you're ready to brush the paint flakes off your socks every time.

I can understand how they were marked down from over €500 to 119. And then still got cast away. Thought about selling for cheap but it's a no go for me. They will go with the next lot of textiles and shoes at kilo price. Hopefully some thrift shop can make someone happy with them for little.

Currently I see Desigual doesn't sell any shoes much over €150. I'm not familiar with the brand and it's not a client of my company. Maybe they learned.