> > It does depend on the item; some don't depreciate as much, and 
some 
> > are pretty well worthless. 
> > > > generally 10-40% of the original price unless it's precious 
> > metal.  
> > > That seems high, actually.
> > Depends on the item.  
> 
> I guess that's true for things that appreciate or
> which, as we've discussed, wear or patina are
> considered character-making.
> 
Some things of course go up.  The trick is knowing which is what.

> > markup is insane, so I'm guessing $500-$600 original full retail.  
> 
> So 100- to you. Good job.

Sometimes you hit a lick, and sometimes you get licked.  It's the 
nature of the beast.
 
> > Bad ribs sound pretty bad.  You need to get Clean Dave to haul 
you to 
> > Bear's Smokehouse here in CT. Those folks know how to handle 
pork. 
> 
> Filed in the to-do file; I imagine that I'll be
> in KC and possibly Memphis before I see Clean
> Dave again; I ought to e-mail him.

I haven't heard from him in ages. 
 
> > They even do a good smoked Thanksgiving turkey.  
> 
> At the leftovers party someone made an incredibly 
> spicy gravy from smoked turkey dripping. I was about
> the only person who had much of it.

Sounds pretty good to me!  It might even make plain white rice taste 
like food.
 
> > > It's been suggested. It would be hard in this day
> > > and age to get anyone willing to shovel shit for
> > > a living.
> > They keep finding politicians, who shovel poop and lobbyists who 
do 
> > it daily. It ought to be possible.
> 
> Hum, that's a thought.
> 
If the payout is good enough, you can usually find someone willing to 
wear nose plugs.