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Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 12/28/2008
Posts: 5
Points: 15
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It appears to me that Thrift Hunting is somewhat of a secretive group of people, kind of like fishermen who never tell exactly what bait they used or where their fishing hole is at "exactly". Do you think this is a fair analysis? I mean treasure hunters probably never share maps, but maybe since this forum does not indicate geography, chances are you are not going to give up any secrets about your favorite stomping grounds. What do you think?
How are you utilizing personal scanners? What do you think of the hunting software? I look forward to the discussion!:d/
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Rank: Member
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Joined: 3/20/2009
Posts: 14
Points: 42
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Well, I am brand spanking new to this... so I can't really speak for others.
BUT ...
My dilemma now is whether or not to share this site with coworkers who are also competitors!!! I think I probably will... but...
As my pay is down about 20% over the last 2 years (down to zero overtime compensation- we still work the hours, they just don't pay us for it!!) and we are facing another 5% base pay cut now... I need a second stream of revenue part time. Several coworkers are now "Thrift Hunting" and one of the guys says he is making almost $2k a month. His wife works at home at this part time- ships between 5-10 things a day and has maybe 700-1000 things listed online at a time. He knows certain categories well (video games, CD's, etc.) and also finds people selling stuff below market through craig's list, etc. But they are doing better than minimum wage earnings. As my wife drives Special Needs Bus and has the summer off I thought this would be great.
I have to admit it is fun to find something that can be sold online for x3, x4, or even x10 !!
So hmm.... maybe there is an aspect of competition where people don't want to give up too many secrets. I hear some Garage Sale Hunters can get downright feisty.
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Rank: Member
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Joined: 3/20/2009
Posts: 14
Points: 42
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So has anybody tried using the bluetooth barcode scanners with a mobile phone or PDA? I am curious if there are any comments or ideas to be shared. I see ads online for the ROV Scanner (from Microvision) and what look like a few rebranded clones for between $200-300. These things are wireless and just "radio" transmit the UPC to your mobile and then I assume you could use it in conjunction with the site here. Way faster to go through a stack of CD''s or books with something like this! I bet it would pay for itself in one good season of bargain hunting (maybe with just a few golden finds ?!?). But it looks like it could be tricky getting it sync'd with your device, etc. Anybody? 
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Rank: Administration
Groups: Administration
Joined: 1/25/2008
Posts: 33
Points: 74
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I actually have a bluetooth barcode scanner and I find it very useful when out and about.
It took a little time to setup but now it's pretty much point, scan, and get results. The setup basically involved programming the scanner to omit the end part of some UPCs (which is the "check" part of the UPC and not needed). The other thing was deciding which conversion to use in the scanner, with my scanner it can either convert the barcode to UPC or ISBN. I decided on UPC since I wasn't sure if I would be scanning anything other than books (though books are my main items).
I basically use it with my phone, which is already bluetooth enabled, so I'm not sure how it would work with a PDA. Sometimes the scanner has a hard time reading particular barcodes...maybe due to the material the barcode is printed on but I would say it scans about 95% of the items I look at.
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Rank: Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/20/2009
Posts: 14
Points: 42
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Any problems using "Class 1" laser scanners outdoors on sunlight? I see some bluetooth scanners that are phone/pda compatible for $200-300... but they all look like Class 1. Class 2 looks like it is recommended on some websites for "outdoors" and in "bright sunlight". It also seems like any scanner with Class 2 is a lot more expensive. Once we can get a little more money I want to try one of these out...
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Rank: Administration
Groups: Administration
Joined: 1/25/2008
Posts: 33
Points: 74
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Hey brownj00-
I mostly scan at thrift stores. So I'm inside with indoor lighting most of the time. If I get a chance to do some tests outside in bright sunlight (like at a garage sale or library book sale) I'll let you know how the results go. The scanner I have is listed as a "Class 1" and I've only seen issues scanning surfaces of some products. I mostly scan books, and about 5% of the time, the book has a specific surface that the scanner has difficulty scanning. I usually just try scanning it several times and move on...I could probably get the laser to scan it if I spent a little more time on it (angled it just right etc) but I just don't bother.
I would suggest maybe check out the return policy's on the scanners you're looking at. I'm completely satisfied with my class 1 scanner though. Again I'll let you know how it works when I take it on an outdoor hunt :-)
Thanks,
LuckyScanner
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