28.1.10

Newport Consignment Gallery – Review

In short, it sucks.

It’s in Newport Beach, and a few blocks away from my work, so I thought it’d be fun to frolic there during lunch sometimes. They’ve changed their name a few times and there’s always a “For Sale or Lease” sign up. For a couple years now. Every once in a while they put out the “Going out of business – 75% off!” sign. Also, going on for a couple years. Not sure what’s happening there, may be a shady sales technique.  They don't seem to be going away, and nothing in there is 75% off.  Not even the Christmas stuff.  (More on that later)

They used to be called Rags to Riches. It seems the name implied that they purchase Rags and expect to get Riches. At your expense, of course. Now it’s called Newport Consignment Gallery/Thrift Shop.

I don’t know what offends me more.. the fact that at the end of January their Christmas stuff is more expensive that Target’s Christmas stuff before Christmas, or the fact that they write their offensive pricing in permanent marker right on the merchandize – wood furniture, fabric, paintings, etc. I love me a thrift shop skirt, but do I really want my ass to say “19.99”? And WHO pays 19.99 for a skirt at a thrift shop?

Jesse pointed out at some very well run in gym shoes for 39.99. The New Balance ones that TJ MAXX regularly sells, new, for about as much. NEW. I’m not a big thrift store shoe person anyway (gotta draw a line somewhere, and mine is shoes – I think other people’s foot sweat is pass out gross, and it’s not like I can throw leather pumps into an extra hot wash for 4-5 cycles.)

Their stuff does get marked down, the longer it stays there. But the Christmas stuff speaks for itself. There’s also a bent plywood chair that has been $3000 the entire time the shop’s been open. That one ain’t getting reduced. There was a pretty cool natural crystal (the rock kind) chandelier for $900.






And a painting I liked. ($399)  I can get behind expensive paintings, I guess.  Art and all.  This one looked like a Picasso nobody knows about.  Except it was signed by a different dude. 



They also had this awesome rocking/high chair that I would like to have made in my full adult size.  It has a screw type mechanism in back, that would lower and rise it, and the little tray lifted up.  $199



Their greatest offense was two sewing machines out by the exit. Both were treadles, a Domestic one, with a pretty wood cabinet with wood appliques, and drawers full of original parts, tin with attachments, bobbins, needles, etc. It was $199.


And then a remake of a treadle machine. The ‘made in China’ "modern antique" version of the treadle machines is inferior to the original ones in every way, anyway and this one looked tacky, in a super crappy plywood cabinet, that was falling apart, and looked like a poor Ikea assembly job to begin with. Glue and screws everywhere and gross all over. That one was $399.   It's an offense to humanity and should be burned, with the cast iron bits remelted into some pots and pans. 


Actually, I take the above back.  The above sewing machine business offended me as a proud sewing machine owner.  Somebody's school craft project took the cake: 

$14.99.  (I mean, I appreciate the religious theme, but)  And, it was on the Christmas clearance shelf. 

On the way out we saw a bicycle from the 80’s, going for $200. I don’t know why they bothered chaining it – nobody would dream of even test riding it.

Bad. All, very very bad.

So, instead I ventured into Huntington Beach's awesome Goodwill and picked up two brilliant skirts for $10.  Which was $4 less than a Christmas craft yarn candy dish type thing.  Go figure.  (Even though I *really* wasn't supposed to get any more clothes till I clean out my closet.  Fail)

In a related story, is it OK to wear mini skirts over yoga pants?  Giraffy said yes, and she's typically the first to jump all over me over really minor fashion offenses..  I LOVE the idea of mini skirts.. but every time I put one on, it's like Slutty Central..  Yoga pants might be the answer to a Snork's severely underused mini skirt closet shelf. 

58 comments:

  1. Um. Isn't that "craft project" one of Emily's creations?

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  2. Probably not that particular one, but yes. Yes it is. Didn't Emily say it cost like 17c to make them? That's some profit margin.

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  3. I dreamed about that rocking chair last night. Wierd.

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  4. That IS some profit... wow.

    Anyway. Leggings, I think, would be the way to go under the minis. I've got some too, that I have been waiting for the weather to warm up for. It'll be awesome.

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  5. I totally agree. Before you ever think about stepping foot in this shop to be ripped off, you should watch the show that the owner of this place is on "Storage Wars" on A&E. This shop owner Dave Hester is the rudest, sneakiest, evil, big headed jerk EVER! All he does is flash his $10,000 in cash that he keeps in his shirt pocket to anyone & everyone he can. The only thing he ever says is how much he has, how well hes doing or hes putting someone else down. Hes really so sad to watch. Im watching him right now & a different guy named Barry brought a psychic with him & Dave for some odd reason got offended by it even though its none of his business at all, so he made a huge scene yelling, cussing & belittling the poor lady before he said that Barry bringing a psychic made a mockery of his (Daves) "profession". Haha. So, he stormed out yelling obscenities & left...GOOD thanks Dave, it was my favorite episode yet! Bottom line, this guy is a big crook!

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  6. Thanks for posts. Don't need to drive to see it now.

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  7. hahahaha everybody its mad at dave cus he has money and has his own bussines hahaha atleast he is not working for someone else like others hahaha thats how the bussines work what u expect buy and sell for the same price and no make ani profit thats silly u know please think a little and let dave to do his thing nobody is perfec or are you?im sorry but dave you know how to do bussines good luck.......and yepppppppp you are the best.....

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    1. Why is Dave now sueing AandE? Now Dave wants to tell the world the show is rigged. They put stuff in the locker's. YUUUPPPPP Planting items to make the show look better. Dave is just hurt err got his lil feeler's hurt. Now he is crying his azz off. This is some very funny stuff right here

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    2. WOW! Uuh... in lieu of trying to speak on behalf of Mr. Hester's disrespectful "business" practices, you might want to sit an entire day if not weeks in a classroom and work on your writing and spelling. It's about as bad as that ignorant person you're defending. Maybe that $10,000.00 shark will pay for your education.

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  8. Dave Hester needs to shove it... i watch that dhow faithfully and wish they would take dave off of it

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  9. I watch that show all the time and I also thought Dave was an annoying jerk. I live in Costa Mesa and was going to check out the store then found out Dave owned it and decided not to check it out. I then saw the episode where Dave talked about his father and his son. I found out Dave was human after all. So I guess its Dave, here I come..... lol

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  10. Haters don't get far

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  11. Haha I feel like derryl or his son posted some of these comments about Dave. Dont get me wrong, I'm not a huge fan of Dave Hester. But I give the man props he seems to do well at what he does. Derryl is just the wow factor! Jerrod is a douche but Brandi is hot, but they seem to be getting there shit together ;) love you both! I like Barry he is just crazy but I like what he looks for! But to be honest what made me look this up was the hat! Newport Con Gallery hillarius! Thanks for the laugh! Dave do you cry yourself to sleep at night? Anyways Brandi when you divorce jarrod let me know! Lol goodnight love the blog!

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  12. Hahaha daves a dork im gona go to one of those auctions n jus slap dave rite in his face in the middle of his yeeeeeep but no doubt brandi holla when u leave that broke a$$ loser

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  13. Dave carries a gun in his black bag.

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  14. I actually like Dave. He makes the show more interesting. I like Barry too. Its funny, he usually ends up with $0 profit in the end and hes quite witty.

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  15. I think barry's a cool dude, but he may be on the wrong show...."collector" not concerned w/ profit is just another word for hoarder.

    As for dave, he's a lil cocky, but not nearly as bad as brandon on storage hunters! Why didn't u ask him why the stuff was so overpriced while u were in there? The shadyness comes from those who hate on people in cyberspace, when they have the opportunity to address the problem face to face.

    At least dave has some sense of pride, its way better than bein a hater, so Yeeeeeeeeaaaaapppp!!

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    1. It may surprise folks that Barry is a millionaire many times over.

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  16. Darrels chick brandi is fookn sexy!!hate dave though!!! Yeeeeep i do! And im from England!

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  17. Barry makes the show he is hilarious

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  18. How do you know Dave carries a gun in his black bag?

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  19. Thanks for the interesting story snork. I quite enjoyed reading that. - Simon

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  20. I love the show and watched it one time when Dave wasnt on it...it wasnt the same without Dave. Nice blog too, Snork. The haters really spice it up!~JoyOJoi

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  21. I was looking for a "newport con gallery" hat anybody selling them?

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  22. You people do understand that Storage Wars is far from "reality." This show is produced using writers and story editors. I can't voucher for Dave in real life, but I know better than form my opinion of him based on the way he has been painted on a "reality show."

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  23. Dave Hester makes Storage Wars the hit it is.
    Without him it would be the waterhead Darrel and his lap dog son, with the outlaw wannabe punk Jarrod and his ding-a-ling cross eyed old lady Brandi and the burnt out acid casualty Barry kissing each others asses between bids.

    Yuuuup!!!

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  24. Dave Hester is NOT doing that show any favors. Ratings or otherwise. Come on... a rolly polly douchebag is not a ratings grabber. The show would be just fine without him. Now Barry... he's hysterical. =D

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  25. Saw the show once but was so annoyed by Dave. I won't watch it again if he's on.

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    1. sometimes i have to admit that i deliberately want to be annoyed by things...i don't know why...but Jarrod annoys me immensely...i think it's because i am pretty sure i am smarter than he is....but he is getting all the air time.

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  26. yuuuuuupppp!....PISS OFF HESTER!!!!

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  27. i gotta be honest, if i come across someone like hester im likely to lose my head. i can't tolerate self worshiping scum like that, and cant understand why he's allowed on tv to put us all off our lunches! i like brandi and jarrod, theyre a young couple trying to make their own way, and barry is pure entertainment. tbh tho i fond a lot of these american shows to be way ott (im from the uk). its a shame they dont bring some new faces in to spice things up xx

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  28. Call me crazy, but I find Barry funny, interesting and oh yeah!!! Sexy. Go figure. You need Dave cause you have to have someone to hate. I wish he'd stop picking on Jarrod and Brandi so much of the time... have a heart ONCE in a while! Darryl? Don't know what to say about him, he seems ok but more of a cast "filler" I think. That Rico Suave' guy (Bolillo) was a jerk, they throw him in every now and then. Get it? Now and Then???? hahahahah

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  29. I agree that dave is a self-loathing prick and I cannot stand him. However, the real story hear is that Brandi is freaking HOT and has a great butt and an amazing set of glands!!!

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  30. Harry Green, ILLINOISNovember 12, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    Why are people so opinionated and downright mean towards Dave Hester? I must give A&E props as their casting for that show is near perfect. Daryl is a good one for that show, Barry on the otherhand doesn't fit. Perfection is hard to achieve, even for A&E

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  31. They are all characters in their own right, you need love and hate to make any reality show work, obviously its working because everyone is commenting on how much they love this one and hate that one. If it isn't broke, don't fix it.

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  32. Yuuuuup....Dave is a REAL piece of work that needs fixed in the worst way. Now where are the directions to the Newport CON Gallery???

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  33. I'ld like to find out where barry keeps his cars. The Cady is sweet,(think its a 49) and the Truck is... well a Cab Over gotta luv the grill what is it?

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  34. Supposedly you u go to Hester's website addresses for both stores! All that you get is taking to another page with links to Facebook and to buy t-shirts and hats with yuup! Printed on them. He's great at selling gimmick merchandise but his websites don't seem to exist. Smells like a scam to me. Why list websites that people can't visit? Isn't the idea to sell the garbage he buys at these storage auctions? I'm not buying any hats or tshirts. What a joke!

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  35. Great blog, can't understand how they sit there and just assume what prices are especialy the furniture, most of it is tat, and why dave and Jarrod shove all the best pieces in their shop, I would ship it off to a proper auction, Bying from a second hand shop would just tell me its more and likley fake. The best characters are the couple who run studio antiques, You guys should check out their place, I live in england so won' be visiting daves shop any time soon unless he opens a branch here. cheers M

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  36. I would burn one with Barry any day, he is cool beans. Brandi needs to leave the loser. She has nice hooters, and is beautiful, and way smarter and too good for Jarrud. Darrell is bad ass. Dave is a punk, and I hope he loses his business. Best wishes to all except Dave.

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  37. 3/18/12. I believe that if there is a 3rd season that Dave Hester shouLD Be terminated immediately, If you don' understaond well shame is a ugly thuth, He needs to be terminated immediately due to the fact up his reckles behavior to the other customers in the crowd. I have also watached a show where where Dan and Laura let him close a unit door and padlock it because he is so very cocky, In my opinion and quite a numerous com-plaints Mr. David Hester should have been disquallified immediayelr with further actions from the locak police department, put him under arrest. That was steeling from other people. I will post more detailed coments because in my eyes he is just a the next poor and also acting as Cockin Rocky and once again got away with, The show must and should go on WITHOUT HIM1111111

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  38. I also agree with the Anonymus 0n 3/17/12. This should have been an illegal transaction and the others clients should have been to able to start the bid all over again in fairness and Dave Hester could have walket off the set, cried and threw another one of his temper trandiums. I would like to start a petition to get thid person off the air, ASAP Good Luck everyone.............Let's get thia oetition

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  39. i hope that sweet christmas basket is still available!

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  40. Its even funnier when Dave goes on to talk about how he raised up the family business to be where it is now. Is THAT how his father raised him, or is he a prick on his own? All that smack talk, its just a lot of hot air from a P.O.S. full of it.

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  41. Does anyone know the make and model of Dave Hester's black shoulder bag?

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  42. Dave Hester is a con, a fraud who overvalues his items that he finds in storage lockers. I didn't know a used vacuum is $100, a painting with no artist name anywhere is $500 and a bunch of used clothes adds up to the $100 range. He's all talk. And the show proves it because of his attitude and his appreciation & love for himself. Knows absolutely nothing about Antiques. Also how the hell can you say someone overpaid for a unit when you don't even know everything that is in it. I remember when he called the locker with drums garbage but Barry buys it and gets it signed by the drummer for The Police. That's how you make a profit Dave. Not Overvaluing a bunch of cheap furniture, home appliances that are used and antiques that aren't worth really anything.

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  43. Also during the episode where there all together in Vegas talking about the show. Dave tells how much his net worth is. Darrell responds by saying "So he says" Darrell is exactly right. On this show Dave can say anything and seemingly making it true but I don't see any prove on how successful he is. I'm not saying he isn't succeeding but I'm talking about the level he praises himself at. Plus Barry is richer than the other 3 put together. And Darrell has a whole bunch of valuable antiques at his home that he could sell any time he wants to, more valuable than anything Hester has ever gotten in a storage locker.

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  44. I love Hester's pricing on the crap he finds in lockers.

    "There's a ratty piece of particle board furniture....that's $300. There's a box of broken Corningware...that's an easy $200."

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  45. Darrell is annoying as all get out! He shouts when he takes & his son is a sap that he is always putting down!barry is my fave! I like brandy but not her d bag hubby! These ppl are making $ selling other ppls junk!

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  46. I would love to Anonymously back Jarrod & Brandi just so they could break that silly little boy Hester! He is exactly what we Brits and the rest of the world dislike about Americans.

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    1. Yeah, because all people from the USA are exactly like Dave Hester. Just like all "Brits" are stuck up little stuffed shirts.

      There are good people everywhere and there are dirtbags everywhere. Thanks for painting everyone in the United States with the same brush.

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  47. I did enjoy the show until hester said it was fake and most items had been planted my family and many friends stopped looking at it but as an adult I also knew in the back of my mind the renters of these lockers would have gotten their valuables out before they got behind I myself know that most of the owners of these lockers go in and help themselves and then auction them off with the things they do not want

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  48. you are so right on

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