Bartering! Trading My “Stuff” and a List of Discounts

I’ve seen a few ads for a new “reality” show that supposedly follows the path as someone keeps trading up his material, but I haven’t caught an episode, yet. Having traded comics for comics many times in the past, it’s been rare that I managed to trade for comics with other collectibles or stuff. Last week, I traded a small stack of baseball cards for a pile of old Batman promo comics from the ’60s.

Another “picker” and I run into each other fairly frequently at flea markets. A great guy, Mike has fun doing it and isn’t looking to make a fortune on everything–very reasonable. Years ago, I made his wife happy as I drove away with the back of a pick-up filled with boxes of comics–she had her room back! Her husband’s first love is baseball cards, and they take up a lot less space! For you old timers of Captain Blue Hen, you probably remember that we were originally called Captain Blue Hen Comics and Cards. Seeing the handwriting on the walls with the card market and getting tired or sorting and resorting 5 cents items, I ended that part of the business. One of my sons still has his collection which features many key and rookie cards, but like me, interest has waned. I have tried selling a few of his extra keys with little success, but I had an idea when Mike called about a recent find of his.

Mike had run into a gentleman who had a small hoard of mini comics from 1966. These were Batman promos that were put in boxes of Kellogg’s Pop Tarts. They came folded in two and when opened, these 16 page comics measured only 3 inches by 5 1/2 inches. Originally, there were 6 versions, but this group only had 3 of them–the Catwoman, Mad Hatter, and Joker issues. Most are in great shape, as they never went into a box–the gentleman’s Dad worked at Kellogg’s back then and had this small box of them. Evidently, they must have been bound by string or rubber bands “back in the day”, as a few showed the indentations that would have affected those on the top or bottom of a stack. Mike said that he got them cheap (I didn’t ask how cheap) and I proposed a trade. I had two small Mickey Mantle batting tips booklets from 1962 that were in a box lot I picked up at an auction and some miscellaneous rookie cards (no one wants Canseco or Maguire cards any more); but I needed something a lot more tantalizing, so I grabbed one of my son’s extra Nolan Ryan rookie cards to sweeten the pot. Mike accepted. No money exchanged hands! (except for me “buying” the card from my son–making all three of us happy!)

Doing some research and checking eBay, I saw where one of these had sold as a “Buy It Now” for $55, while another sold for only $5 at auction. Same version and roughly the same condition! That’s an example of the risk one takes when putting something up for auction on eBay. You have to hope that at least two people happen upon your itme when it is posted–two people who know its value and want it! Typically, listings are for 7 days, with most of the action happening in the last few minutes as potential bidders “watch” the item until the end. They hate to show their interest to others, trying to keep the price down. Then, as a seller, you have to hope they remember to check the item again as the deadline nears. Putting a higher starting bid or hidden reserve can help protect the seller, but it costs more to list the item and turns off many potential bidders. The $5 sale had only received one bid. That person might have been willing to go consdierably higher, but unless someone outbids him…

I don’t plan on flooding the market with the ones I have so I am going to gradually release them; and since I did get a sweet deal, I’m selling them well below “guide” price.

Thinking about “back in the day” and how we have changed part of our focus as a shop reminded me that a lot of years have gone by – enough that many of our regulars are approaching that time of their life when they start asking, “Where’s my senior citizen discount?!” I, rightfully so, received this list from one of my circle, and thought I’s pass it on. One might have to inquire about the discounts at each establishment, as I rarely see them posted and most clerks don’t bother suggesting–probably for fear of insulting the customer. I did run into a young lady whole told me that senior citizens over 55 got a 10% discount at the Pepperidge Farms outlet store. I swallowed my pride and took the 45 cents savings. So, fer the rest of you old coots:

This list may not only be useful for you, your friends and family.

Hmmmm, Dunkin Donuts gives free coffee to people over 55. If you’re paying for a cup every day, you might want to start getting it for free.

Restaurants

Applebee’s: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby’s: 10% off (55+)
Ben & Jerry’s: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan’s: discount varies by location
Bob’s Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Captain D’s Seafood: discount varies on location (62+)
Chik-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)
Chili’s: 10% off (55+)
CiCi’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Culver’s: 10% off (60+)
Denny’s: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+)
Dunkin’ Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+)
Einstein’s Bagels: 10% off baker’s dozen of bagels (60+)
Fuddrucker’s: 10% off any senior platter (55+)
Gatti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
Hardee’s: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off (55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+)
Long John Silver’s: various discounts at participating locations (55+)
McDonald’s: discounts on coffee everyday (55+)
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
Shoney’s: 10% off
Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
Steak ‘n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+)
Subway: 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
TCBY: 10% off (55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy’s: 10% off (55+)
White Castle : 10% off (62+)

Retail And Apparel
Banana Republic: 10% off (50+)
Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month (50+)
Belk’s: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (55+)
Big Lots: 10% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days (55+)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
Clarks : 10% off (62+)
Dress Barn: 10% off (55+)
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 20% off (50+)
Kohl’s: 15% off (60+)
Modell’s Sporting Goods: 10% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)
Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month (55+)

Grocery
Albertson’s: 10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+)
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+)
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+)
Fry’s Supermarket: free Fry’s VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday (55+)
Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+)
Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (55+)
Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
Uncle Guiseppe’s Marketplace: 5% off (62+)

Travel
Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)
Alamo : up to 25% off for AARP members
American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
Best Western: 10% off (55+)
Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+)
Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Clarion: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)
Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)
Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members
Greyhound: 5% off (62+)
Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members
Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location (62+)
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler’s Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+)
Motel 6: 10% off (60+)
Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+)
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members
Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50 and up
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

Activities And Entertainment
AMC Theaters: up to 30% off (55+)
Bally Total Fitness: up to $100 off memberships (62+)
Busch Gardens Tampa : $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
Regal Cinemas: 30% off
Ripley’s Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket (55+)
SeaWorld Orlando: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)

Cell Phone Discounts
AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $29.99/month (65+)
Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service (50+)
Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).

Miscellaneous
Great Clips: $3 off hair cuts (60+)
Super Cuts: $2 off haircuts (60+)