Unfrugal deals

[das_nut]

This post is inspired by my search for a bike. Its been cooling off where I'm at, and since I moved down here in April, I've been meaning to purchase a used bike for my wife. Hopefully a nice older three-speed for a few bucks. Nothing fancy, mind you. Just a basic bike.

Brand new, a 10-speed at Walmart is $70 + change.

Tubes are about $3, a used bike will probably need 2. The rubber bike tire may also need to be replaced on an older bike, they run slightly over $10 each.

So, I hit a thrift store. They have a 10-speed, little rust, looks like it needs new tubes, perhaps a new tire. They are asking $35 for it. To get it into riding shape would probably cost another $15-20. Ugh.

I call a pawn shop. They want to sell me a bike for $65! Yippie. For a little more, I could have a new bike. Ugh.

Ah, but there is a flea market on Tuesday in a nearby town. So I hit that early. There is a rusty 3-speed. Rear brake cable is frozen up. Both tires need replacing, and I'm sure the tubes are shot as well. About $25-35 would have to be spent on this bike to get it into working condition.

The price? $100. :dizzy:

This isn't that old of a bike. Nor is it a good brand. But if its broken and rusty, its an "antique", I guess. Or perhaps someone is really optimistic.

So, anyone else have any stories about unfrugal prices at typically frugal places like garage sales, thrift stores, etc?

[Starblossom]

I went to Value Village hoping to find a cheap lamp. I found a couple that were 3 dollars, but without the bulb or lampshade. Most of the lampshades there were like 2 bucks. Factor in the lightbulb(s) is another couple dollars, plus taxes. So maybe 7 or 8 bucks for a second hand lamp. They also had some stand-up lamps that all cost at least 10 bucks (and they were in terrible condition).I go to Walmart today (I know, evil corporation) and they had very simimlar lamps on sale for like 4.69 I think it was. This includes lampshade and lightbulb. Facter in the taxes and it's still a bit cheaper than the second hand lamps I was looking at. They also had stand-up lamps for about 12 bucks, new. *sigh* I caved in and bought a new lamp. At least I can return it if I don't like it!