Brimfield Fair - The Saga of the Perfect Crate

On Saturday, I spent the day at Brimfield Fair in Massachusetts. I went alone, and was probably one of the only loners there. I was on a budget, brought cash, and I was hoping to find a good deal on one of the few items I was in search of. One thing I soon realized, there are not too many bargains at Brimfield Fair. The prices seemed to be consistent with most of the antique shops in my area. I do a lot of browsing at antique shops, but do most of my shopping at yard  sales and such, and love to find something similar to an expensive antique store find for a few dollars. 



 I have a running "wish list" on Pinterest. These are items that I am keeping my eye out for at yard sales, Goodwill, Craigslist, Flea Markets, and antique shops. 
One of the items on my list was a rusty vintage stool to be used as a side table. I was lucky enough to find it at a yard sale a couple of weeks ago for $5. I saw similar stools all over Brimfield Fair for $40-$90. 

Other items on the list are a vintage worn leather chair with a low back, a bookcase of the exact dimensions I need for a spot, a pantry kitchen cabinet (preferably in white) for next to the fridge, an old workbench for a coffee bar, and an extra-large vintage crate with lettering and a top to be used as a side table. I also have lots of small items I always look for as well. 

A lot of these items I have found, but the price has been too high. I'm willing to wait for a good deal or do without. 

The crate is another story. It is almost impossible to find a large crate with lettering and a top, never mind for a bargain price. When I spied this crate at Brimfield Fair this weekend it was love at first sight.

The dealer was having a personal conversation with another dealer and I waited patiently for a couple of minutes while the two dealers ignored me. I finally said excuse me to get her attention. She barely looked at me when I asked her the price of the crate. She quickly looked, quoted me $75 and turned back to her friend. 

I interrupted her conversation a second time and asked if she would take $70. She said "yes" and sounded annoyed. I started taking out the cash, and then it got weird. She finally turned and gave me her full attention and said, "wait a minute, what are you trying to buy?" I repeated "the crate", and she replied, "oh no, I can't let it go for that, I need at least $110 for that crate, I thought you were talking about the can on top". 

I was not happy with how she changed the price after I had clearly said it was the crate I was interested in, and I decided to walk away. I spent the next few hours searching the fair for a similar crate, but did not find a single one. I couldn't get that crate out of my mind. I was at the point of exhaustion, and had a 2 1/2 hour ride home ahead of me. I decided that I would regret it if I did not buy that crate since in all of my months of searching I had not seen another like it. I decided to go back and try negotiating the price if it was still there. 

 I went back to the general area and had to do a little searching to find her booth, but I finally saw it, and the crate was still there. 

I approached the woman and told her I would like to negotiate the price with her. She told me she couldn't take less than $125. What!? I firmly told her she had quoted me $110 and she argued that she had not, and then, exasperated, she said, "fine, $110 is the lowest I can go"!  I finally got it for $100. 

Did she film-flam me? I don't know> but I got the crate and I'm glad I did. A hundred bucks was all I had budgeted for spending for the day (not including food & parking), so I knew I was done. I couldn't walk another minute anyway. 

Did I do good? I just know I love it and have no regrets. Would you have bought it after that? 

And do you know what groats are? I had to look it up! I was really hoping it was nothing gross.

Just in case you are wondering...

groats are crushed grain, especially oats...whew!!!

Linking up:
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2015/07/wow-us-wednesdays-231.html
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com