Post #245761 by twitch on Sun, Jul 30, 2006 10:10 AM

It's the Pickers!
They arrive @ the thrifts before opening, head to the known areas and pick it clean for that day's eBay postings. Quite often a friend will be working as a staff member & let them know beforehand.
Also, I worked at a Salvation Army warehouse for 1 1/2 years, and here's the secret:
They have 'brokers' come in from somewhere (ours was from Toronto)with detailed color-copied sheets of desired retro-fashionable items that are then handed out to the different sorting departments so the sorters can lay aside the hot-sellers.
The brokers know what's hot and where it's hot (Japan, etc.), pay the S.A. a 'finding fee' & ship the goods to their destinations.
Local S.A. businesses try to keep a finger on what's hip, but are usually a little bit behind.
At least a few years ago. I was so disgusted with the Army's culmination of bad practices that I haven't been in one of their stores for about 8 years!
If you happen to find tiki idol/mask at your local Sally Ann, could be someone is slacking; items of that sort are considered 'occult/evil' (ouija boards and buddha statues, anything of a differring religion, etc.)and are thrown in the garbage without a blink.
(Oh I could go on and on...)