…and Always Ask What’s in the Bag

Also see ‘Kite for Sale… Hardly Ever Flown’

I’ve happened upon some extraordinary finds when searching for used kites online and have learned that, more than knowing where to look, is how to look. A little extra time connecting with someone to learn about their kite(s) for sale usually makes all the difference. Here’s how I’ve come to add some special and one-of-a-kind items to my kite bag, sometimes for a fraction of the market price:

Zoom in and Check the Tag

Take a good look at what’s posted. Many sellers are not avid kiters, and they like to keep it simple, noting “Kites for Sale” with a shot of a pile of kites or even just a few kites that they bought while on vacation long ago. Many or all kites are photographed while still in their sleeves, and the most treasured items are not always positioned up front.

This snapshot from a seller in Texas caught my eye a couple of years ago, and I’m glad it did, as I never thought I’d own a Barbara Meyer Quilted Strata Delta.

Ask What that is Over There

Dorothy would never have made it back to Kansas if she didn’t pay attention to that man behind the curtain. Again, the most treasured items are not always positioned up front or even clearly photographed. If you see something that catches your eye, or sparks your curiosity, ask about it. Inquiring about this photo is how I came to own the George Peters Aloha Sky Bird posted in South Carolina last week.

Share Your Passion

Sometimes there’s nothing better than for a seller to learn that an item is going to a good home and will be treasured for years to come. In a few cases, a genuine expression of interest took me right past the seller’s posted items to the rare and unexpected. It’s how I found Larry Mixon’s King of Diamonds in California and Heloise Lochman’s White Bird 250ft Friendly Dragon in Boston.

Make it Easy to Say Yes

Don’t let “local pickup” stop you. While it may be preferred and sometimes, understandably, a seller won’t budge, it never hurts to ask if they’ll ship the item at your expense. On occasion, I’ll even send them a box. It’s how the Barbara Meyer Rainbow Tortuga Strata Delta arrived from Pennsylvania last month.

All of this is to say that your favorite kite or line item is out there somewhere, and it might even be within arm’s reach or staring you right in the face.

Know what to look for, and always ask what’s in the bag.