Our community-wide garage sale this year

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
I sent an e-mail to the mayor inquiring if a date has been set for the sale and suggesting that Friday be included in the "official" sale days.

Her reply indicated that the village board is considering the weekend of May 2nd because town "clean-up" day is the following weekend (people can bring things they want to trash to the town garage). My feeling is that if people are going to trash something, it's junk and shouldn't be for sale. I also think that's way too early from a weather standpoint. It's still pretty cool here then. The sale use to be the third weekend in May and clean-up day the first Saturday in June. I don't know how trash day got moved up so early. She also said the board is in favor of just having a 2-day sale to limit traffic in the community. I don't understand the reasoning there.
 
debodun said:
I sent an e-mail to the mayor inquiring if a date has been set for the sale and suggesting that Friday be included in the "official" sale days.

Her reply indicated that the village board is considering the weekend of May 2nd because town "clean-up" day is the following weekend (people can bring things they want to trash to the town garage). My feeling is that if people are going to trash something, it's junk and shouldn't be for sale. I also think that's way too early from a weather standpoint. It's still pretty cool here then. The sale use to be the third weekend in May and clean-up day the first Saturday in June. I don't know how trash day got moved up so early. She also said the board is in favor of just having a 2-day sale to limit traffic in the community. I don't understand the reasoning there.
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I don’t know if she’ll listen to you, but maybe you can get people to all email her suggesting that it’s too early to have garage sales there. I used to live in upstate New York so I know how unpredictable. the weather can be that early.
 
debodun said:
Her reply indicated that the village board is considering the weekend of May 2nd because town "clean-up" day is the following weekend (people can bring things they want to trash to the town garage). My feeling is that if people are going to trash something, it's junk and shouldn't be for sale.
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Lots of people do that.
If it does not sell, they do not want it back in their house. The choices are to donate or trash.

It all ends up in a landfill.... doesn't matter if that is now or when your heirs clean out your house.
 
For me I always thought yard sales were about getting rid of "stuff" that is no longer wanted. Making a few dollars if someone else sees value in whatever is great for them. Then there are people that hoard "stuff" & use yard sales to earn money. Some even go to other yard sales to get "stuff" to bring back home to hopefully sell for a profit.

As That Lady in PA posted when whatever isn't wanted does eventually end up in a landfill.

Kind of feel sorry for heirs that have to clean out a home that is filled with unsold "stuff" to make it livable.
 
Community garage sales can be a lot of fun. I’ve always enjoyed walking around them even if I’m not really looking for anything in particular. You never know what interesting things you might come across or the conversations you end up having with people.

I do agree that early May can be a bit of a gamble weather wise in places like upstate New York. A nice warm weekend makes a big difference when people are standing outside most of the day.

Either way it sounds like it will be a lively weekend for the community.
 
Garage and yard sales are in full swing here in South Carolina. Wish I had the energy to haul some stuff out of my house.
I’ve held 2 sales in my life. One in my front yard; one renting a booth at a flea market. I fervently hope to never again have to endure such an experience.
 
MountainRa said:
Garage and yard sales are in full swing here in South Carolina. Wish I had the energy to haul some stuff out of my house.
I’ve held 2 sales in my life. One in my front yard; one renting a booth at a flea market. I fervently hope to never again have to endure such an experience.
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Oh, I know what you mean about hauling things out! Years ago, I wandered into a tiny garage sale on a sunny Saturday. I wasn’t looking for much, just browsing, when I spotted an old wooden recipe box tucked in the corner.

I opened it and found the sweetest collection of handwritten recipes from the 1950s. Some were smudged, some had little doodles, and one had a note that said, “Made this for my first date.....he loved it!” I ended up buying the box and tried a few of the recipes myself. I still keep it on my kitchen counter, it’s like a little time capsule of someone’s life I can't bare to throw away.

Has anyone else ever stumbled upon something like that at a sale you couldn't get rid of?
 
Never ask a question unless you are prepared to hear the answer! 😉🤭😂

For true garage salers one weekend is as good as another.

I agree with the concept of trying to make a few dollars before sending things to the dump, one man’s trash being another man’s treasure.

It does seem odd not to have a three day weekend event that kicks off on Friday for the early birds. From a business standpoint, I would think generating a bit more traffic would be good for all of the local businesses.

I admire you for all of the hard work and dedication that you put into these sales but I can’t imagine that they bring in enough to make it all worthwhile.

Good luck!
 
Some people that stop at my sale ask me why Fridays aren't included in the sale weekend. I am not in charge of setting the date - the village board is, but I have contacted the mayor and requested it be included. Her reply, as I mentioned, didn't sound too positive. Actually Friday and Saturdays are probably the better days. Usually by Sunday, not many people stop - I know last year only about 4 cars stopped on Sunday. They probably figure anything worth getting has already been got, or they may have religious scruples about it, or they want to watch a sporting event on TV.
The May 2nd date is also a bad choice because then we'd be competing with a big area antique show which is always the first weekend in May.
 
I see my garage sales as a kind of challenge game. See what sells and for how much, and did I make more or less than last year. The only downsides are having to lug everything up from the basement, set up tables and put thing out, then pack up the leftovers and put them back in the basement, Also dealing with jerks and shoplifters. This year, for some reason, I seem to have very much less enthusiasm doing it.

If anyone suggests getting a friend or family member to help - forget it. Tried that before and they usually make more work for me. I know how I want to set up - nobody can guess without asking a lot of questions. ;)
 
Jules said:
Deb, from photos it seems like you have a double garage and just one car. Can’t you put shelves along the sides of the garage and store your items in there.
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No, that would be more work and expense than my usual routine. Added to the fact the garage walls are already packed with various paraphernalia. Thanks for the advice, though.
 
debodun said:
The only downsides are having to lug everything up from the basement, set up tables and put thing out, then pack up the leftovers and put them back in the basement, Also dealing with jerks and shoplifters. This year, for some reason, I seem to have very much less enthusiasm doing it.
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All that work, energy, and time wasted is what aunt Bea meant by "I admire you for all of the hard work and dedication that you put into these sales but I can’t imagine that they bring in enough to make it all worthwhile."
 
debodun said:
... I seem to have very much less enthusiasm doing it.

If anyone suggests getting a friend or family member to help - forget it. Tried that before and they usually make more work for me. I know how I want to set up - nobody can guess without asking a lot of questions. ;)
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If the same amount of time and effort were invested in a new source of extra income, you might regain your enjoyment. Like dog walking, or editing manuscripts, or growing plants, or teaching something at the community college for example.
 
People just aren't buying at garage sales like they were in the 1980s. When I helped my mom with a sale, our front yard would look like St. Peter's Square on Easter morning. Times have changed - the old collectors are dying off and the new generation is leaning toward minimalism. They don't want the things their parents had or are interested in obtaining what they see as old junk and clutter. Not many people collect odds & ends anymore. Things that used to sell well like shaker sets and teacups, don't nowadays.

Even if someone is interested in an item, they seldom want to pay over $1 for anything. The cut-off cap on prices I sell for is around $3. Two years ago a woman accused me of operating an antique shop in the guise of a garage sale. More than that - it is likely to end up back in the basement. Who needs a 2-gallon punch bowl and 16 cups?

punch bowl set.jpg
 
debodun said:
People just aren't buying at garage sales like they were in the 1980s. When I helped my mom with a sale, our front yard would look like St. Peter's Square on Easter morning. Times have changed - the old collectors are dying off and the new generation is leaning toward minimalism. They don't want the things their parents had or are interested in obtaining what they see as old junk and clutter. Not many people collect odds & ends anymore. Things that used to sell well like shaker sets and teacups, don't nowadays.

Even if someone is interested in an item, they seldom want to pay over $1 for anything. The cut-off cap on prices I sell for is around $3. Two years ago a woman accused me of operating an antique shop in the guise of a garage sale. More than that - it is likely to end up back in the basement. Who needs a 2-gallon punch bowl and 16 cups?

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All good reasons to relax and put your feet up!
 
debodun said:
Meanwhile the items I'd like to sell would be sitting in the basement.
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I wonder how many times we’ve had similar conversations over the years. 🤔

Continue doing what you seem to enjoy but IMO you’ve already spent more on dumpster fees for spoiled items than you are likely to collect in sales from your remaining basement inventory.

I sincerely wish you good luck with your sale.
 
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