The Oakland Museum of California’s White Elephant Sale season got underway Sunday with a successful preview shopping event for customers who paid a premium to enter the huge East Oakland warehouse.
“This is my third time coming, but my first for the pre-sale,” said Katie Burger, a Berkeley resident whose purchases included five books, a sweater, two nice hats and a snakeskin belt with a silver buckle.
Burger, who said she had to get the sweater simply because she spent so much time in both the men’s and women’s clothing departments, mentioned that a friend, who misinformed her about the $50 pre-sale admission fee, paid half for her.
Some 2,500 people paid the full price to enter the 96,000-square-foot Lancaster Street warehouse, the longtime home of the annual rummage sale where shoppers can find great deals on just about everything from art objects to wedding gowns. The benefit for the Oakland Museum of California continues for the next five weeks.
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China and silver were plentiful at the preview day of the White Elephant Sale, a benefit for the Oakland Museum of California. The sale continues most Wednesdays through Saturdays through March 2. (Leslie Katz/Bay City News) -
Volunteers Gail Bloom and Rich Dodson staffed the White Elephant Sale customer service booth on preview day. (Leslie Katz/San Francisco Examiner) -
Books were among the items Katie Burger of Berkeley was pleased to purchase on the preview day of the White Elephant Sale. (Leslie Katz/Bay City News) -
Items from sports gear to wedding dresses to electronics and toys can be purchased a great prices at the White Elephant Sale. (Leslie Katz/Bay City News)
Gail Bloom, an Oakland-born volunteer at the customer service desk, said the sale is ideal for people looking for home furnishings.
“The furniture is a really great value. For sure, it’s cheaper than Ikea, and for sure, it’s much better quality.” She also recommended checking out the textiles, linens, fabric and sewing department, and the massive selection of china and silver. She added, “Think of what your grandmother didn’t take to the nursing home.”
Artwork, books, ceramics, collectibles, electronics, fine jewelry, household and kitchen items, music, sports gear, toys and vintage and contemporary apparel are among the 19 departments of quality used goods in the sale, which runs through March 2.
Tickets, which are $7, are required for open warehouse days, which are most Wednesdays-Saturdays through Feb. 22, as well as Feb. 17, Presidents Day. Admission is free on the final clearance weekend, March 1-2, but patrons still must make online reservations.
The White Elephant Sale is staffed year-round by more than 900 volunteers who take in, sort and evaluate plentiful donations from the public. During open warehouse days, they wear white coats and are stationed in each department, wrapping up purchases, issuing receipts and taking payments. Since the pandemic, the sale has been a no-cash operation. All purchases must be paid by credit card.
One volunteer not wearing white, however, is Rich Dodson, the voice of the White Elephant Sale, at the helm of the public address system. His amusing announcements, about everything from reuniting separated or lost friends and family members to warning about illegally parked cars around the area (note: parking is difficult) have earned him a cadre of fans.
Organized and presented by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board, the White Elephant Sale since its inception has raised more than $32 million to support exhibitions and programming and has served as a mission to inspire community service.
The White Elephant Sale runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 29-Feb. 1; Feb. 5-8; Feb. 12-15; Feb. 17, and Feb. 20-22, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 1-2 at 333 Lancaster St., Oakland. Admission is $7, except free on March 1-2. All patrons must have reservations to enter all days; go to www.whiteelephantsale.org.
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