It is a way to spread happiness around…..
Summer Lotus Nov 18 3 min read
It all started because I wanted to help some seniors recoup their money. At this juncture, they want a simple life. They want to reduce more instead of buying more. But they have a load of stuff at home.
They have spent a good part of their life savings and salaries on collecting stuff, some of which are now of cultural or historical value and not easily available on the market. They were enjoyable and entertaining to have and to hold but now they have decided to let go.
Collectible stuff would be appreciated by other younger collectors with the interest and the means to own them.
Age has caught up and they are no longer in the pink of health. Habits, likes, and interests have changed and some stuff now poses as obstacles and white elephants.
To help them dispose of the things and get back some money in return, I have used word of mouth, websites, sales apps and even troop into some shops to make an informative sale.
In the process, I found out that there are people with varied interests — some like antiques… this person likes books… that individual collects paraphernalia, and so on.
Ultimately, I have created a long list of customers with their distinctive hobbies and interests with the items to match.
It’s a reasonable success so far and it makes me feel like I could sell ice to an Eskimo except that he is a really happy one. Moreover, I am happy to see the seniors happy.
In today’s world, where technology rules, many seniors are a group of people with collectibles and some very memorable stuff that they no longer need. But they lack the knowledge and the energy to exchange them for the money that they have invested years ago.
The items became hoarded and often become rusted or damaged. The ideal situation would be to exchange them for cash for their daily living costs.
In addition to feeling happy and resourceful that I could help out, I have come across unique collections that have never seen the light of day – toys from 60 years ago, a very antique typewriter, very old photographs of Old Singapore and feel shocked to see the drastic changes in under 60 years(S’pore being a young country), old devices, stamps, journals, etc.
It is a stimulating experience as I delved into the past to research some of these items. I also found good owners for some of my collections.
I saw my seniors’ eyes lit up whenever they received the cash for the items they thought would be inevitably trashed as they organize and simplify their lives.
I have also made friends with these collectors who became my patients and have offered work to their children who were looking to work part-time during their school holidays.
All is well, everyone benefits. The circle of love goes round and round and life is quite exciting in a different way connecting the young and the old, the past and the present.
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