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It’s been a good month buying and selling and other stuff. I finally figured out the Salvation Army’s 50% off promotion. A month ago, I saw a nice clock there for $100. If you pose with the item, post it on your Facebook page and tag the SA, you get the item for 50% off.

Well. I didn’t do that and later felt like an idiot. I’m 57 years old and don’t do social media well. I sold the clock at auction for $908 a week later, so that took the sting out of it somewhat.

I went back to the store and bumped into a reader of my column who wished she could do what I do for work. Just do it, I told her. And then, while there, I bought a nice Josh Simpson glass paper weight for $12 (and resold it through auction for $160).

An odd looking vanity mirror bought for $8 at another second-hand store was the star of my other auction bringing $525. It was about 14″ tall and made from four antelope horns. No clue who made it or why. I just cash the check.

I love auctions. I gather up stuff, drop it off, and let them do all the photographing, describing, shipping, etc. It frees me up to do what I do best. I can’t stand dealing with buyers. For that reason, I barely use eBay anymore.

I do like second-hand stores with all their nice staff though. Another good score was an old rolled-gold plate (similar to gold-filled) bracelet I had kicking around in storage. It was made in pre-war Germany in the form of a snake that wraps a few times around a woman’s wrist. It looked realistic. Well, a couple of people really wanted it and bid it up to $650. Sweet. That’s half a plane ticket so my wife can visit her folks in Europe.

Those sales plus the full length mink coat for $35 (which I’ll offer for sale in November), a nice pair of heavy (8 gram) 14K gold earrings for $4, a vintage guitar for $70, a Dansk wood tray (?) made for a good month. And, it’s the season for yard sales! See you out there.

Bob Adams has been in Somerville 27 years but was a frequent visitor prior to moving here. He worked as a jeweler in a few shops in his younger years, owned his own shop for a bit, sold real estate for 10 years and is always hunting for his next treasure. He has been an antique and collectibles dealer for 30 years. He can be reached at 27winter@gmail.com. Visit his website at www.Somerville.com.