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Um, Found?

You may remember that I loathe piles of junk mail (hate being the operative word from my memory), but I actually look forward to our almost weekly catalog glossies from CB2, West Elm, and the like. Every few weeks, I’ll take the time to pore over the pages, rip out anything that might catch my eye (from unique color combos to DIY ideas and outside-the-box room layouts), and I’ll file them away in a fatty binder for future inspiration.

So imagine my surprise while I perused our massive stack (piled up during our anniversary trip) and stumbled upon the not-so-cheap found cameras in the holiday Pottery Barn glossy.

Of course I choked on my coffee, double checked the astronomical $150 price tag (for a non working “antique”), and read the admittedly catchy (albeit somewhat cheeky) catalog description aloud to Scott. Reminiscent of my mother’s camera, no?

(Which, by the way, I have not yet painted, and for now, sits pretty atop a shelf in the living room. And yes, I’m still considering the hot pink route. Sorry.)

But there’s more. They’re no longer available. Not only did they once have a heaping stack of found cameras on their stockroom shelves, but they actually sold out. Oh, boy. So, dear reader, here’s a tip for you. This Sunday, go to your neighborhood flea market with only a twenty dollar bill, and buy one (or two) of the many, many vintage cameras from your local dealer. Pottery Barn, we love you, but…really? Needless to say, this page stayed put and was promptly recycled.

Has anyone else seen an equally silly sale from a big box retailer? And while a handful of my favorite haunts have been guilty of this absurdity (Anthropologie comes to mind), does it stop me from shopping there? Admittedly, nosireebob. But to my credit, I’ll skip their vintage chairs and go straight to the sale blouses.

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  • Heather S.11.29.10 - 7:46 AM

    That’s insane! I have two of my grandfather’s old cameras proudly on display in my living room but I would never spend that much on an old camera. Thanks for the laugh!ReplyCancel

  • jodi11.29.10 - 8:28 AM

    i had the same reaction when i saw that! i cannot believe they are getting away with selling flea market finds for $150. and they sold out??? that’s crazy!ReplyCancel

  • Jane @ The Borrowed Abode11.29.10 - 9:10 AM

    ABSURD. Even more absurd is the sold-out factor.

    Same as Heather – I’ve got my grandpa’s “found” cameras on display. Ha, Pottery Barn – we were all cooler BEFORE you. :)ReplyCancel

  • Jenn L @ Peas and Crayons11.29.10 - 9:37 AM

    I thought the same thing when I saw those on the website. Re-dunkulous!!! They have some amazing stuff but there are a handful of items that aren’t worth even a fraction of what they’re asking — pottery barn fail ;)

    xoXOxoReplyCancel

  • Laura Heitz11.29.10 - 10:47 AM

    I also love catalogs…great tub reading and inspiration. But, I like to find my own version (bargains) of what I see in the stores. And, the catalogs are recycled every week! I dislike piles and piles of stuff in my living room.ReplyCancel

  • jill11.29.10 - 12:07 PM

    i loathe pb sometimes. they freaking ridic! but doesn’t stop me from buying (still eyeballing that rug)…ReplyCancel

  • Kelly11.30.10 - 11:17 AM

    WOW!! So ridiculous! I have a few of my own gracing my new shelves in the living room :) I think I would be so embarrassed to admit I bought I “vintage” camera from Pottery Barn…especially for that price tag!ReplyCancel

  • Amanda12.1.10 - 11:24 AM

    That is pretty crazy! As far as something else similar… so, the white ceramic animal thing is pretty big right now, and you can find them in catalogs and even Etsy for like $30-50, yet they are all over thrift stores here for $1, too. I have a friend who has an Etsy shop, and she buys them here, then sells them for $36 on her site. (Sorry to tattle KC!) haha.ReplyCancel

  • Bird Trouble12.3.10 - 10:44 AM

    $150!? YIKES. I’m always blown away by the prices in fancy store catalogs. Definitely Urban Outfitters and Anthro. I actually get angry. Almost angry enough to where I want to leave post-it notes at the scene and write “pssh… this isn’t worth it!”

    I’m glad there’s DIYers out there who spread the word of doing it yourself the cheap route!ReplyCancel

  • Daniel12.29.10 - 2:19 AM

    That’s too much.. Haha! And it even sold out? Maybe they have good marketing strategies? =)ReplyCancel

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