dave henricks

there are many skills my dad has taught me
one of which i've started to benefit from in the past years
the fine art of bargaining and and reselling
growing up, i watched my dad bargain like a pro
fix up a neglected motorcycle, 4-wheeler, etc...
and turn around the next week and sell it for more
i was always amazed at how confidently he bought stuff
with the intention of making some money
in order to buy something he really wanted
it's all about knowing something's value
and seeing it's potential

i got my first taste when my dad helped me
bargain for a vintage Martin 12-string
from an older lady who posted it in the paper
we bought it for $350
i played it for years
and then resold it for almost $900 when i needed the money

last year when i wanted a tripod
i found one on ebay for $350
it was worth $1100 new
so i resold it for $750
which gave me $400 to buy the one i really wanted

earlier this year i wanted two Nikon lenses
thanks to my childhood friend Lindsay
she informed me that the prices were going to increase the next week
so i bought two lenses before the price increase
used them for about a year
and resold them without loosing any money
it was like investing my money
but getting to play with an awesome piece of gear while it matured

there is some amazing sense of accomplishment
a sense of craftery
of outsmarting the system
of resourcefulness
i am thankful for my dad's wisdom
for teaching me the art of a bargain
these are the things you should pass on to your kid