Garage Sales
We just finished up our yearly garage sale, mostly unloading kids' clothes, books, and CDs. I'm happy with the proceeds. For three hours of work, we earned enough to get season passes to the local amusement park.
Speaking of amusement... What is up with these garage sale people? The sale is advertised to start at 9am, so they're cruising the street at 7:30. Then they paw through my neatly folded clothes and haggle over 25-cent t-shirts. One woman asked me if I would take 10 cents for a shirt. I said, "No thanks" and she threw the shirt down and stomped off muttering in disgust.
Then there's the woman who ran up asking if I had a cat carrier for sale. "Sorry, I don't," I replied. So she stands there for a moment before asking, "Are you sure?"
Another thing I found frustrating was the number of people handing me $20 bills for 50 cents worth of merchandise. I collected 8 $20 bills in the first hour and was completely out of $1 bills by 10:30.
Finally, I have to say something to all you folks who do the slow drive-by... After scanning over our stuff from the comfort of your car, don't make a face and peel off down the street. I know my stuff is mostly junk. That's why I'm selling it. But it's good junk... Once-loved junk. Worth at least 25 cents (no haggling)!
Speaking of amusement... What is up with these garage sale people? The sale is advertised to start at 9am, so they're cruising the street at 7:30. Then they paw through my neatly folded clothes and haggle over 25-cent t-shirts. One woman asked me if I would take 10 cents for a shirt. I said, "No thanks" and she threw the shirt down and stomped off muttering in disgust.
Then there's the woman who ran up asking if I had a cat carrier for sale. "Sorry, I don't," I replied. So she stands there for a moment before asking, "Are you sure?"
Another thing I found frustrating was the number of people handing me $20 bills for 50 cents worth of merchandise. I collected 8 $20 bills in the first hour and was completely out of $1 bills by 10:30.
Finally, I have to say something to all you folks who do the slow drive-by... After scanning over our stuff from the comfort of your car, don't make a face and peel off down the street. I know my stuff is mostly junk. That's why I'm selling it. But it's good junk... Once-loved junk. Worth at least 25 cents (no haggling)!
Permalink posted by Phil at 4:53 PM
6 Comments:
My husband always complains about the nasty littly ol' ladies that are at garage sales. I've seen them in action, it isn't pretty! Glad you survived.
yeah, that's the thing about garage sales. i did one a few years ago as part of a fundraiser for a political campaign and got really frustrated with the hagglers who would throw stuff down if it wasnt the price they wanted.
glad you made some good scratch with the sale. a summer at silverwood will be a good time!
yes, yard sale customers sure make you shake your head. You can take an item that is worth $100 and sell it for $5 (because you just want to get rid of it) and they will pass it up. But put a box of junk for a $1 for the box and they will buy it with out a blink. Don't figure. We started a yard sale at 8 and they were there at 6am!as I am getting ready to put it out. When they asked if I was ready, I told them the paper said 8 but I will sell anything you want for 3 times the prices if you want it now. They left.lol...
Love the yard sale story Phil. That's why I don't do yard sales. I use to, but with three kids I just don't have the time or patiants to deal with haggling old ladies too! Glad you made it through.
The people you described are exactly why I dont do yard sales anymore. After getting frustrated with the first 2 idoiots, I started to raise the price when people offered insultive offers, "Hey, this chair goes for $100, and the tag says $20,...would you take $5 for it?". I'd think a minute, then respond.."No,it". I never sold much, cause it was more fun keeping the stuff and pissing off the dumb people. Reasonable offers are fine, but people want everything for 10 cents. Unless it's priced at 10 cents - then they want it for 5.
Shannon
Sorry - original entry above got mistyped. When an item is marked $20, and they offer $3, I tell then no, but I'll take $30 for it. I keep raising the price until they either leave, or think that $20 isn't so bad.
Shannon
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