What the hair???

As many of my faithful readers know (OK, there are only five of you, but you are faithful never the less), I'm not rich by any means, monetarily speaking. I live week to week and struggle, robbing Peter to pay Paul on most occasions. Today was a real wake up call for me.

Hubby, the baby (he's 4, but he's still my baby) and I venture out to the flea markets looking for a good deal on something. Nothing in particular, but you never know what you will find. Well, I figured out what you will NOT find... Low prices!

I noticed a flea market that has only been in town about 2 weeks and we decided to check it out. Pulling into a parking space near the front door, I see a sign posted: "No big purses allowed"...

PAUSE!!!!!!

Hubby became irritated at the fact that I cannot take my $30 handbag into the store. His first words were, "Isn't that violating your rights?"  I love my husband... And I love my handbag. It's lime green and black with beautiful sewn on flowers and a huge broach with mock-diamonds encrusted on it -- and it's big. I can fit two regular size handbags in this bag. I like big bags. They allow me to put all of my stuff in them. Wallet, make-up, peppermints, nail accessories, wipes, snacks for the baby (and me) hair stuff... basically everything but the kitchen sink.  And I threw one hell-acious fit wanting this bag! So when hubby broke down and agreed to let me spend that much money on one, he seen it pervertedly wrong that I couldn't carry it into the store. To save face however, I left it in the van. I didn't want to stir a stink with the owner of the flea market and I figured they must move a lot of products to be so concerned with thefts, "We're bound to find a good deal in here, honey", I say, almost giddy.

Walking in, I spy two pentecostal women (not prejudiced, but in the bible belt, you can easily recognize a holy roller) talking about "you can look in my bag, I've nothing to hide".  Glancing at hubby, I smile trying to ease his temper and reassure him that it will be OK. We say hello to the somewhat cheerful, somewhat "greater than thou" woman behind the counter and begin to peruse their products.

OH HOLY HELL!!!

$99.00 for a used leopard print ottoman that is a square foot in size... and dirty!
$600 for a 7 piece dinette set that has seen better days
$25 for an indoor artificial ficus tree... that has limbs missing
$32 dollars for a purse as big, if not bigger than my own (but not as pretty, I must say)
$400 or $450 for a used banjo that hubby says, "Not worth the price for the sound it produces"
$250 for a couch that is lumpy and faded
$45 for a ceramic pitcher that is cracked and chipped
$115 for a rusted old fashioned spring rocking horse
$ YOU SEE THE ISSUE YET ???

Of all the flea markets in all the towns I've been in, this one exceeds the boundaries, by far, on outlandish prices and pitiful bargains. The question hubby asked me as we practically ran out the door was, "How do they expect to ever move any products with prices like that?"

A moment later, it hit me! I could do nothing but shake my head. I agreed with him. Why would someone buy something used, in poor condition and filthy for the same price as brand new? I will never understand this and if they have any sense, they will mark those prices a little more 'buyer friendly' if they expect to make a profit... especially with the cost of everything going up. Wonder what would happen if people just didn't buy anything at any retailer? A complete stand-still with any and all retailers for one week? Would prices drop?

In conclusion, I feel sorry for the nation. For any country struggling to survive in this chaos called life. Oscar Wilde once said, "experience is sometimes what we name our mistakes"...

Well, I've had one hair of an experience today! The only way they can possibly move any product to the consumer is by the use of big purses!

Until tomorrow,
LaVonda