Friday, December 7, 2012

Sorry State of Pyrex in Toronto Thrift Stores...

Hi. My name is Sir Thrift-A-Lot, I'm from Toronto & I'm an avid thrifter of Pyrex. I have been to 20 (different) thrift stores in the past week searching high & low for Pyrex gems, but there was none to be find. Value Village, Goodwill, Value Village, Salvation Army, Goodwill, Value Village... Here is what set awaiting on the shelves today. This was it (minus some Forest Fancies that I missed the photo op for). This is 6 thrift stores. All different cities. I guess if you collected chipped, worn, extremely utensil marked or Old Orchard Pyrex - you'd be in Pyrex Heaven. 





I guess this was a pretty neat find, something you don't see everyday, but just doesn't fight with my collection & I don't have space for it. 


Anybody else experiencing a Pyrex "drought"? 
I'm trying to chalk it up to everybody having their minds on the Christmas season, but... I am getting the feeling there are more Pyrex collectors in the area than I thought & that items are being slipped out the back. & it's funny, last Thriftasaurus, Amy from Acts of Salvage linked up, also from Toronto, & she shares my suspicions about Pyrex being slipped out the back at Goodwill! She was the one I eyed buying up the first pieces of Pyrex I've seen in that Goodwill in months - Shenandoah. Still surprises me sometimes what a small world it can be

(OK, I got one decent piece of JAJ this week, missing a lid, utensiled to hell... will post Sunday!), but still 20 thrift stores & basically nil?     

14 comments:

  1. I live in New York and am having a serious drought of Pyrex! I went to 9 thrift stores yesterday.....9! and I found a Pyrex lid that and was it!

    My guess is either they are not getting a lot of stuff like they did when it wasn't the winter time or people are snatching them like crazy!

    Tomorrow I am going to a flea market and hopefully I can find some Pyrex!
    It is really annoying, I feel your pain!

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    1. Good luck! Hope you come across some amazing pieces.

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  2. In Wisconsin, the thrift stores shelves are almost empty of everything. I don't know if the need is greater this year or people are not donating items. I haven't seen any Pyrex in a few weeks.

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    1. Must be that time of year. I've noticed a slow down in some of the thrifts.

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  3. It is very hit and miss here. Last week, the SVDP had tons of Pyrex on it's shelves but the prices were higher than antique malls. But I guess some people don't care because this week, it was all gone. There is also someone who posts on Craigs List each week looking for Pyrex. I have a feeling I have some competition on my hands.

    Erica

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    1. There is someone here who posts on Kijiji a couple times a month looking for it, too.

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  4. I bet there are quite a few Toronto folks hunting for Pyrex, far more than blog about it (like my next-door neighbour and wads of FB friends). I often see evidence Pyrex has been on the shelves recently (e.g., lids, dishwasher damaged pieces and blank spaces where good Pyrex might have been). But it's not me doing the scooping -- (a) I could never manage 20 thrifts in a week (wow! -- two or three for me is a big week ...) and (b) I do like Pyrex but it's not an obsession. I think what's really changed is that pickers and resellers have picked up on the bug and have started beating casual (and even concerted) collectors to the punch.

    This week I did find two cream-coloured lidded casserole dishes, one divided, with gilt leaves and acorns on them, at Value Village. And a white space saver with a blue flowery-type pattern (and ribbed lid). There was other Pyrex on the shelf, but it was damaged and/or overpriced.

    I did see an autumn harvest bowl at the Bloor/Sherbourne Goodwill on Wednesday afternoon, but it was $5.05 despite being very badly scratched and a little bit dishwashered. Bet it's long gone now, though.

    I've basically given up on Goodwill because of the ridiculous prices, the customers and the strong impression that the best donations never make it to the shelves. Salvation Army is nice for cute little things, like holiday decorations and sometimes toys, but I don't think of it for Pyrex. Value Village is possibly the best for Pyrex, but wow: the prices.

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    1. LOL, yea, totally saw that Autumn Harvest. I think it was there Monday, too. Probably was scooped up within the first 20 minutes of 50% off day.

      One GW in Toronto the manager was fired for theft at a previous job. So, wouldn't surprise me if that particular one was indeed corrupt.

      Agreed that Value Village is best place for Pyrex! Depending on which once you visit, some of them are priced fairly reasonable.

      Congrats on the Pyrex finds, BTW.

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  5. Same drought here! I don't think I would have been able to pass on those drink-ups though...haha. :)

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  6. I feel your pain. I finally found a piece of Pyrex this week after not buying any for at least 2 months. It's the smallest of the refrigerator dishes and is light brown, no lid, but I was happy to finally find something.
    Good Luck,
    Hanna

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  7. I'm in Tampa Florida and it's hit or miss for me. I don't find it often, but have found some really good pieces at times. I too have given up on Goodwill.

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    1. It sucks that you have Goodwill Auctions online in the USA ... we don't have that in Canada (yet).

      Happy hunting!

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  8. Very hit and miss around here too. And there is no way I could visit 20 thrift stores in a week - there aren't that many! I'm a little envious on that.
    :)

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  9. The thrift shelves are bare in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas too. Not much of anything except cheap looking dollar store items. I'm guessing because of the economy, people just aren't buying new stuff and donating their old stuff.

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