Yardsales: A Simple Sign Of The Times

[Kennah]

Wife and I had a yardsale a few weeks ago, and it sucked royally.

We couldn't give away the kids clothes until we hit $1 each item, and these were in pretty great shape. Even then, we did not move them all.

Every weekend, I see sign after sign for yardsale after yardsale. NEVER have I seen so many yardsales.

[msongs]

1. cheap imports slammed yard sales, desperate ppl dumping stuff has killed them off....

used to be a yard sale was a good way to move out quality old stuff, then the onslaught of US corporations importing cheap junk made price at yard sales a tough go. now there are so many people selling stuff to make ends meet, yard sales patrons would rather buy cheap trash at the 99 cent store than pay their hurting neighbors a decent price.

[sammytko]

2. We usually have a couple of yardsales a summer - price items very low

Kids stuff a quarter or so. People will not pay much more than that even in good times. Target is no more than 10% of original price.

[jwirr]

3. Most yard sales are to get rid of excess item you no longer need.

If you want that then it is best to price things really cheap. I have only been to several sales this summer and I noticed that the prices have gone up. As Kunstler says, " living off each others rummage sales". Buyers are looking for bargains. If we do not find them we do not buy.

[SoCalNative]

6. Exactly

I'm having one in a week just to clear out excess crap I no longer need. Whatever doesn't sell is getting donated.

[CleanGreenFuture]

11. +1000 for the Kunstler reference.

[jwirr]

13. I really love him - he warns us without being a doomsdayer. nt

[CleanGreenFuture]

15. Exactly. He's convinced things will change. However, he doesn't warn of those changes

in a hair-on-fire, over-the-top way.

Indeed, he's matter-of-fact in his belief that we'll adapt - because we must.


PS: I've been conversatin' over the Internet since the Internet was white-text email on a black screen and I don't think I've ever used so many hyphens in the same post, lol!

[jwirr]

17. LOL

[NYC_SKP]

4. There's a bright side to all this, seriously.

the last few years have seen a decrease in energy use, and consequently, less greenhouse gas emissions.

more people buying and selling used clothes is more sustainable, fewer useful goods going to the landfill, fewer new items imported and purchased.

our economy, our lifestyles, have been unsustainable for generations, in fact they've become increasingly so.

The future will look a lot like yardsales, and it won't all be bad.

Take care.

:hug:

[cutlassmama]

5. I noticed the onslaught about a year ago. MANY, many yard sales

and it's sad all the people "downsizing" and trying to get fair price for their stuff. People only want bargain basement priced stuff or they don't buy.

[grasswire]

7. neighborhood sale last weekend

Observations:

Almost every person who came over to look at my stuff was a dealer looking to buy stock for resale. I am a dealer too. Shoppers aren't going to find the extreme bargain at my table that they can make money on. I already know what it's worth.

No one was a collector. I had vintage and antique postcards and ephemera, and linens.

But as a dealer I found things that *I* could make a profit on. Old German blown glass xmas ornaments. $1 a box.

I bought books from other sellers. I can almost always spring for a book.

[MineralMan]

8. Yard sales don't work if you overprice your stuff.

$1 per item for children's clothing is about right. Any higher, and people will go to some other sale. That's the reality of the marketplace.

I used to do garage sales. I was always very successful with my garage sales. Everything was priced to sell, and I never turned down any reasonable offer. I had put the stuff out there to get rid of it, after all. If it didn't sell, that was more work for me after the sale to pack the stuff up and put it away. What's the point of that?

On another note: Saint Paul, MN is a big garage sale city. I haven't seen any more this year than in any of the past 6 years I've lived here. It's about the normal number in any given week.

[jwirr]

9. Thanks for the tip. What day is the biggest day of the week and are

maps available. We are planning a family trip to the zoo and need something that the adults will want to do. Rummaging is fun.

[MineralMan]

10. Actually, Fridays are big for sales by stay-at-home moms.

Saturday is better if you're looking for guy stuff.

Best source of lists is Craigs List. The garage sale category lists most useful sales. However, it's easy to find them in any neighborhood, you're in. Just drive down the main streets of the neighborhood and look for signs. One caution: The signs that say "Huge Sale" are usually incorrect, and point to a tiny little sale full of children's clothing and broken toys. Also, the best-looking signs are for sales that run every week and are mainly full of new merchandise at higher prices than you'll find for the same merchandise at the Dollar Store.

Great garage sales are few and far between, and Craig's List is your best guide to finding them.

You'll find the best selection early and the best prices late.

[Renew Deal]

12. Maybe it's a good sign. People don't want your garbage.

:shrug:

[WinkyDink]

14. Yet ANOTHER reply that shows ignorance of the entire OP post.

[Kennah]

20. If it's garbage, I won't try to yardsale it.

Wife had some kids jeans with blown out knees that she was giving away, free of charge. Those didn't move. If my son could still wear 'em, I'd turn 'em into cutoffs and save on buying new shorts.

[Tallulah]

16. Yard sales are big around here

but if the merchandise isn't priced right, it will sit out all weekend. Forget donating anything. Some greedy shits in the nicer neighborhoods will repeat the same yard sale every weekend until they get the asking price which is quite stupid to me because most people are looking for a bargain not retail shopping prices. If they had the money to shop, they'd be in the stores. DUH.

If you want success, sell for less. If you're looking to make big money, sell to a second hand shop or Craigslist. A yard sale is supposed to be priced to move and rid one of unwanted items. People have lost sight of that.

[NNN0LHI]

18. Had a German friend come visit about 10 years ago

His first question was how come everyone is selling their garages? I said what? He said yea, on the drive to our house he seen signs saying "Garage Sale", everywhere he went.

I explained it to him.

Don

[Horse with no Name]

19. I don't sell clothing at a garage sale

because everyone wants it for nothing.

With my nicest used clothing (the expensive stuff)--we have gone back to using Ebay.

For the nicer used kids clothes...we take it to Once Upon a Child. They evaluate it and pay you cash on the spot. They also have other stores for teen and juniors clothing--Plato's Closet. They are nationwide. Stuff just has to be freshly laundered and folded in a box.

For the nice kids and adults clothes...we send it to a local resale shop. Here it has to be laundered and on hangers. They cut a check once a month.

For the play clothes and cheaper brands that are still in good condition...we send it to the local clothing bank.

For the stuff that is not wearable--we donate it to a local charity that makes it into rags and sells them.

I understand that this isn't exactly what you were getting at...but figured I might throw it in there so folks might be able to make a few extra dollars and help others at the same time.