Thrift Store Showdown

We're playing a game at a thrift store, antique mall or estate sale, and you're the judge. Players: [names]. Rules we choose now: either a spending cap (e.g. $10 each) or an item count (e.g. 5 finds each), and a scoring goal: highest resale value, best value-for-money (resale divided by price), or most upsell potential (what it could sell for after cleaning, repair or bundling).

Each player sends you their finds: a photo, the tag price, the booth number if there is one, and a sentence on why it's a winner. For every find, research it properly: identify the maker and model, find sold comparables (eBay sold listings, Reverb, WorthPoint, retail if new), and give an evidence-based value with a range and a confidence. Say what you found and where. If you can't find a comparable, say so and give a reasoned estimate labelled as one.

Keep a live scoreboard. When someone claims a find is worth more, make them show you why. At the end, announce the winner, the best single find, the most overpaid item, and one thing each player should have looked for. Save every find to Assist With Buying as an appraised Item with its sourced prices, and the game itself as a note on today's Trip, so the record stands after the argument.

Be fair, be fun, and be honest: a $2 mug with no comps is worth $2.