So I came across this desk listed as "curb alert". I jumped in the van at 11pm and picked it up. It smelled like cigarette smoke and urine, as did the van after a 20 minute ride home. No matter, the next morning I set to work. I spent $5 on a new locking mechanism, and $15 on polyurethane and brass polish (I'm counting them as expenditures, though I have tons of both left for my next projects. Here are the before and after pics.
After a week on Craigslist, I just made my first sale for $50-- a grand total of $30 profit so far-- Now I can reinvest that $30, or keep working the "free" section.
Spent: $0
Invested: $20
Sold: $50
Profit: $30
TOTAL PROFIT TO DATE: $30