Who doesn't need a little extra cash every now and then? I certainly do. This is the reason I decided to have and help out at a garage sale...err...make that a couple of garage sales over the past 2 weeks. Before you read any further, you should know, I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE garage sales. I think going garage sale-ing is one of the highlights of summertime. I just love it. So why not partake in the festivities, right? Well...
As I was driving into our neighborhood a couple of weeks ago, I saw a sign that said our neighborhood would be having their annual garage sales that same weekend. It is beyond me why not a single person could pass out flyers or something...it's just by chance that you see the sign and have time to throw some tables up and price some goodies. But, we made it happen.
Both sisters and brother in laws brought some stuff over and we were able to fill 6 tables and both edges of the driveway. It was a pretty impressive spread if I do say so myself. I was ready to make some money and go shoppin. W E L L...things didn't exactly go as planned. We had about 17 TOTAL customers in 2 days. It was PATHETIC. Thankfully the weather was good and we didn't cancel any other plans to make it happen. Because it was a total bust. All in all, I made less than $30...in two days. Needless to say, I'm not sure we will be participating in next year's sale!
The following week, we had another (the original) sale planned at my sister's in laws house. We've always had amazing success at their house because they live on a busy road and get lots of traffic. My hopes were once again high.
The sale went from 12:00 on Wednesday (I think our first customer was there by 10) until 6:00 Friday (We packed up at 4!) Wednesday proved to be no different than years past...lots of people, lots of deals, lots of sights and lots of money. Thursday and Friday were slow and COLD, but it was nice to hang out and be outside (even if we were all in jammies that were for sale because it was the only warm clothes we had!)
All in all, the second garage sale went better than the one at my house. But, not unlike any other year, I've learned some things from sitting outside and letting other people shop for my stuff...here's my list...
*For some people, $2.00 is WAY to much to pay for a nearly brand new hand mixer. When my sister told her the price, she dropped it like it was on fire and nearly sprinted off my property.
*No matter how many times you try to fold the clothes on the tables and make it look nice, you won't win the battle.
*I should not fall for people telling me they want the $2.00 DVD (with the wrapper still on) for $1.50 because that is all they have. Then watch them turn around and go to the truck to get the money for an $8.00 blender. Mean ol' rat!
*People are not afraid to go through unpacked boxes, even though they are at your sale 2 hours before you have advertised being open.
*There are still really nice people in the world...they will give money to the world's cutest 6 year old's squirt gun fund even if they don't want the water or popcorn he was selling.
*People are brave enough to knock on your door at 8am in the morning, when your garage is closed and your sale is not opening until noon.
*If you price something at $.01, someone will still ask if you will go any lower.
And my favorite...
*Some old lady will show up at your sale, tell you she wants the entire box of FREE hangers and then ask you to take them to her trunk for her.
Here's to another year of garage sales. I think I've figured out, I'm a much better shopper than I am a seller.
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