I'll be the first to admit that I buy things at garage sales. People get rid of some good stuff, and often they are only asking a couple bucks. Last year, I got a booster seat for $1. Score!
And, now with garage/yard sale season upon us, there are tons to be seen.
This past weekend, I was out and about and I noticed a bright pink poster board advertising girls clothes up to 4T. The sign was so nice with all of the words typed out. Super easy to read.
Great advertising, yes? So, I made plans to get there bright and early Saturday morning.
My first indication that this sale was not right? I watched 4 sets of people walk away with nothing.
And, it wasn't like there wasn't anything for sale. There was tons of stuff. And entire rack full of girls clothes. There were strollers, toys and more.
Second indication? Apparently, the lady selling the stuff was too lazy to get up or even greet me or say hello. I mean, I had adorable Izzy with me. Who wouldn't say hello? I mean, if you want to make a sale...you gotta work it, right?
Third indication? The used toys (small ones at that) were marked $3. To me, that seems pricey. They were little stuffed animals and such, we're talking beanie babies, people.
Fourth indication? I walked up to the clothes rack. I looked at a little onesie. It had a hand written label and price tag "Gap, 6-12 months, $5."
Holy crap. A Gap onesie for $5. I'm not even going to pay that for a new one, let alone one that's used.
Fifth, sixth, seventh, etc. indication that this sale was crap? The Gymboree outfit for $15. The Strasburg dresses for $25! And, she had 4 of the same dress. Now, I think this is a good brand, and they are pretty expensive, but I'm not buying a dress at a garage sale for $25!
It took everything in me not to walk up to the lady and tell her that this is not a consignment sale or ebay. This is a garage sale. If you think I care that you took the time to hand write out the tags for these clothes that my kids are likely going to trash, you are wrong.
Instead, I kindly grabbed Isabelle up, thanked the rude lady (who still was sitting in the shade of her garage) and walked away.
However, I was really temped to go back around 2 and see if she still had everything. Because, I don't know a person that will go to a garage sale and spend $25 on anything. (Please tell me if I'm crazy, but I don't even spend $25 on my own clothes).
So, take home points, for a successful garage sale, you must have good advertising...and you better have good pricing, or you know what I'll say?
Really, Are You Serious?
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Twitter: elainea
June 1, 2009 at 8:07 am
I ran into the same kinda of thing at one in Austin when I was visiting my Mom. I think the lady was a decorator and she was selling all this great stuff but she wanted like $20 for a pillow. NOT happenin’! I’m guessing she didn’t sell much either…
Twitter: Managed_Chaos
June 1, 2009 at 8:46 am
I would have been so tempted to say “Really, Are You Serious”, but probably would have beelined back to my car after taking a look at those outlandish prices. YIKES! I guess the bad economy has finally hit the garage sale ranks.
Garage sales are for marking everyday items for a buck or two, plus lots of boxes with 50 cents! Sorry you had bum luck. I have found $1 clothing for AA at Goodwill occaisionally.
Alyzabeth’s Mommy
I went to a garage sale this weekend too and ran into the same problems. Maybe it’s because of the economy. Who knows.
That is just so crazy! I bet she didn’t make any money and her time was totally wasted on all that prep work!
That’s ROBBERY!! I would’ve walked right up and told that woman something….So ridiculous. She’d have better luck on eBay. Grrrr….People like that make me laugh though. They’re clueless.
Love, Mere
She obviously did not read her “garage sales for dummies” book before posting it. =)
I love sales around here, great weather and the prices are awesome, people just want to get rid of stuff that would look awesome in my house!!
Wow! I’m not sure I could have bitten my tongue so more power to you…..but I think I have one better – last summer I went to a sale down the street from my home and they had 4 items for sale that I had thrown out with BULK TRASH a couple weeks prior….I didn’t bite my tongue that time lol
I’ll be writing about garage sales this week too since I went to a few of them over the weekend. Some people had marked up stuff as well and I thought it was ridiculous!
I always think that people with overpriced garage sales have probably never been to one, and think they will make back what they spend on stuff. Wrong venue–garage sales are for decluttering! You did the best thing possible–you were polite and voted with your feet. There will be other sales, believe me!
You got an award!
http://emilyisland.blogspot.com/2009/06/blog-love.html
That is way overpriced for a garage sale! My favorite finds though are the ones from the garbage pile. Yep, I’m a trash to treasure type of girl
Garage sale clothes, no matter how cute or what brand, should be $1 each. Even on Ebay, you won’t get a bid on a Strausburg dress that is list for $25 right now. (It may sell for that but not if you start out listing it that high!) I wish you had gone back and told her we are in a recession!
What? Obviously, the lady is crazy!
clearly this lady needs the book garage sales for dummies!
sorry it didn’t live up to your expectations – i hate when that happens.
Maybe she marked things high because she was expecting people to haggle? Still weird. It sounds like she just needed to take her stuff to a consignment shop.
I’m totally wondering if she ever sold anything!
Twitter: winey_mommy
June 1, 2009 at 2:36 pm
I’m glad you didn’t buy anything!! She, um, definitely sounded like she needed to go to a few garage sales herself before thinking she could sell anything at those prices
I love a good garage/yard sale but if they are overpriced–see ya!
You can find some wonderful treasures at garage sales, but for the right price! I’m with ya!
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