Sell your rubbish presents here!



Jason Hadlow... he wants your unloved
Christmas gifts!

 

I'VE received some weird Christmas gifts over the years and displayed them grudgingly in my home out of sheer politeness.

A Laura Ashley chandelier was a memorable choice from my husband until his brother upped the ante with a marble plant stand.

Should Santa's deliveries disappoint this weekend, I won't have to tolerate the unwelcome gifts for long. I shall head to Bring, Buy, Sell York's newest “eBay-like” shopping experience.





The giant warehouse some 10,000 square feet stands just off the A19 at Crockey Hill (just by the traffic lights at the Wheldrake turn-off).

If you are after a life-size statue of a giraffe, some cut-price motorbike leathers or discounted furniture, make this your first port of call.

For Bring, Buy, Sell is a cornucopia of commodities, stocking everything including the kitchen sink (a Belfast model, attached to some knock-down kitchen units).


The idea is simple enough customers bring items to sell and the store takes a cut.

Owner Jason Hadlow has been running a similar business in Leeming Bar and opened the second store in York just two months ago. Within a month it was in profit and he is now looking to franchise the business.

Second hand and end-of-line furniture make up the bulk of the stock, although a careful browse can uncover worthy treasures and interesting items.

Tucked away behind an old gramophone set was an ancient printing press, while a vintage record player and box of vinyl was lurking for the right-minded buyer.

Among the more unusual items was a Second World War range finder. Shaped like a rocket launcher, this was used to detect how far a plane was away before the order was given to fire.

The most expensive item was a Chinese screen, yours for £10,000. The high price tag, explained Jason, was on account of the precious jewels used in the design.

The store prides itself on selling most of its stock within 30 days; that which remains is discounted further.

The shop is attracting sellers, customers and even antiques dealers on the hunt for hidden gems.

James Doran is a dealer from Manchester. This was his second visit to Bring, Buy, Sell that day. “It's a great idea because you are getting genuine antiques straight from the people who don't rate them or don't want them anymore.”

For the ordinary customer, there were deals to be had too, said James. “Look at that sofa,” said James, pointing to a three-seater leather piece. “That would cost thousands rather than hundreds. And they are throwing in a footstool for free.”

Jason expects business to be brisk after the festivities not only with those unwanted gifts, but because people like to redecorate and update their furnishings in the New Year.

“People take down their Christmas decorations then look at their house and decide they need a makeover,” he said.

While Jason might not flog your unwanted toiletries for you, he would take on bigger items such as electronic gifts, good quality clothes, bikes and the like. And he wouldn't say no to designer handbags to join the selection he already has on sale.

He has learned, he said, never to underestimate what might sell. “A lady brought in a dog ramp extension the other day to help her dog get in and out of the car, and while we were marking it up for sale, a customer had picked it up and was waiting at the cash desk.”

Jason accepts that the shop is a sign of the times. “We love shopping; it's our national pastime, but when you can't afford to do it, it can be very dispiriting. At Bring, Buy, Sell, you can get your retail fix. You can bring in your kids bikes they have outgrown and make £100 from them then you can spend that on an Edwardian bureau to satisfy your taste in antiques.”

Or, should your taste stretch that way, there's always the giant giraffe looking for a good home.