I spent $40 on a 'vintage' lamp at a flea market that I literally found on a curb two blocks away

Okay, this is embarrassing. Last month I was at the big flea market in Riverside and saw this cool, rusty industrial lamp. The seller said it was 'authentic factory salvage' and I fell for it, paid forty bucks. I was so proud of my find. Then, walking my dog the very next evening, I saw the EXACT same lamp, just a bit dirtier, sitting next to a trash can on Maple Street. I even recognized a specific chip in the base. I basically paid for someone to pick up free curb trash and drive it to a market. I felt like a total chump. Has anyone else ever bought something only to realize it was obvious curb material?

2 comments

2 Comments

noahcampbell1mo ago

Authentic factory salvage" is just a fancy way to say old junk. At least you got a lamp you liked for forty bucks.

riverp371mo ago

You know, @noahcampbell, I read that some salvage places actually clean and test stuff first.