Have the first items already been sold?
`Oh yes,' laughs Bauer. `We have been open for a couple of weeks now and have sold a lot of stuff. We are quite satisfied. The dark blue couch in the corner attracts a lot of attention, and I've had five people interested in buying it, but it has already been sold and not yet collected. If I don't hear anything this week, then it will be back up for sale.'
How strict do you follow the student ID-rule?
`Anyone who is enjoying an education is welcome here,' says Paauw. `Students at the ROC, Higher Vocational Education and the Volksuniversiteit are welcome to come by, as long as they have a valid student ID card.' Bauer: `It's all about perception. We are here for the students, and all products cost fifty euros or less. Of course, the system is susceptible to abuse, but I'm trying not to let that get me upset.'
Where did you get the concept for the stores?
`I'm a moving consultant,' tells Bauer. `I inventory the content of houses, offer advice, handle the paperwork and sometimes help people with the emotional aspects of moving by stopping by to visit. Many customers had asked me if I knew of someone who could take their old stuff. The question was asked so often that I thought to myself, `I have to do something with this idea.' Before too long, I began to think about students.'
Young people and old stuff, does that work together?
`Oh, it does. A girl came to buy a small, dark wooden cabinet, and then she painted it. She proudly showed me a photograph later. That's really nice when this happens. I took the time to ask students what they needed. I went to the campus at night, while people were eating outside, and I joined them. Once I even came home at eleven! You really roll from one conversation into the next.'
And what were those wishes from students?
Paauw: `In our second-hand shop we sell beds, cupboards, couches, tables, chairs and household appliances. In the store next door, students can buy tools, sets of pans, crockery, cards, candles- anything you can name.' Bauer: `And students can still give us tips of what they would like to see in our store on our website.'
And when are your shops open?
Paauw: `We're open Tuesday through Friday from 12am to 6pm and Saturdays from 10am to 5pm, and on Mondays, we are closed.' Bauer: `Come by to look around, if you're interested,' she laughs. `Because looking is often buying!'
