Why wouldn't some people come into my garage at my last sale?

[debodun]

They would walk up and down looking at things in the driveway and start to leave. I would call out to them that there was more in the garage. The usual reply was, "That's okay." Are they claustrophobic, or afraid I'd attack them if they came in. Maybe they figured if there was nothing of interest in the driveway, there wouldn't be in the garage.

 

[Jeni]

I am not sure in many sales i have visited the best stuff was in the garage not pulled out to the drive. sounds like they were just nosy and looking but not in market to buy something ... some people attending yard/ garage sales are looking for maybe a specific thing and if it is not visible they move on...

 

[That Lady in PA]

Maybe they figured if there was nothing of interest in the driveway, there wouldn't be in the garage.

Yep.
In my area, people put things near the road to catch the eye of passers-by.
If nothing is interesting in the driveway, why bother going into the garage?
Plus, they can see into the garage from the driveway, right? Is it too dark, too cluttered, too crammed together, etc?

 

[C50]

Maybe there was nothing interesting enough out front to draw them deeper into the mercendise. Or maybe they find it harder not to buy something once they engage the seller so they want to keep their distance.

 

[StarSong]

Maybe they figured if there was nothing of interest in the driveway, there wouldn't be in the garage.

That would be my guess.

 

[CallMeKate]

Obviously, I wasn't at *your* sale, so I'm just speaking from experience from back when I was doing yard sales years ago. In that scenario, it would have been one of three things, or a combination.

1. The prices on driveway things were too high (from what I've seen of your things, though, that wouldn't be the case).
2. There was nothing that interested me, so I probably would have assumed there wouldn't be anything for me inside either after glancing in.
3. The sale holder was approaching people with sales pitches in the garage area and I positively hate that and sometimes felt put on the spot... so I would have left.

 

[Aunt Bea]

I do the same thing, if it’s all kids clothes and plastic toys I don’t waste much time.

I’m not sure but it might also be that the regulars have seen many of your things at previous sales.

I’m curious if the effort that you put into your sales and marketplace advertisements bring in enough money to be worthwhile.

 

[Pepper]

I do the same thing, if it’s all kids clothes and plastic toys I don’t waste much time.

I’m not sure but it might also be that the regulars have seen many of your things at previous sales.

I’m curious if the effort that you put into your sales and marketplace advertisements bring in enough money to be worthwhile.

I think she does it because she likes to. Deb doesn't need the money, am I right, Deb? Yes, I am.

 

[Oldeagle66]

Not many people are interested in going inside a strangers garage, except for maybe a serious collector looking for an old vehicle or furniture.

 

[debodun]

I think she does it because she likes to. Deb doesn't need the money, am I right, Deb? Yes, I am.

If I make a little money, that's a plus, but mainly to find good homes for many inherited items.

 

[debodun]

Everyone acts like, "If it's old used stuff you don't want, why are you asking others to pay for it?"

It is a garage SALE, not a garage give-away. With a few exceptions, nothing at my sale is over $5. I've been trying to sell the "better" things online like uranium glass and Limoges china. I don't put those out because they can become damaged by people handling them that aren't really interested in buying.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

If I'm just browsing, I'd rather be outside than in a confined space with the owner, where conversation is more likely and makes me uncomfortable.

 

[hollydolly]

If I make a little money, that's a plus, but mainly to find good homes for many inherited items.

take it all to the Charity shop, they'll find good homes for them and the Charity will benefit from the money....

 

[debodun]

If I'm just browsing, I'd rather be outside than in a confined space with the owner, where conversation is more likely and makes me uncomfortable.

I had no idea you were so anti-social.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

I had no idea you were so anti-social.

I'm fine with friends / acquaintances, but I don't tend to socialize with strangers. Once we exchange friendly conversation, it is more difficult to walk away without making a purchase. I'm the same way in stores. I prefer looking on my own. If I have questions, I will look for a sales person.

 

[Medusa]

Maybe there was nothing interesting enough out front to draw them deeper into the mercendise. Or maybe they find it harder not to buy something once they engage the seller so they want to keep their distance.

Yes. My husband and I used to go to garage sales on weekends as a hobby and I never liked going into garages as it felt to me like being in a stranger's personal space.

 

[CallMeKate]

Once we exchange friendly conversation, it is more difficult to walk away without making a purchase. I'm the same way in stores. I prefer looking on my own. If I have questions, I will look for a sales person.

Yep, yep... this is % me, too. In fact, I've left stores without buying things I really wanted because of pushy salespeople. When I was doing yard sales, I wanted to look at my leisure and would have been glad to pay the marked price without an owner trying to get me to buy more by telling me about "special prices" on things I didn't want.

 

[Medusa]

owner trying to get me to buy more by telling me about "special prices" on things I didn't want.

Husband and I would always walk away when owners started trying to sell their wares. Obnoxious.

 

[StarSong]

take it all to the Charity shop, they'll find good homes for them and the Charity will benefit from the money....

She's said the charity shops won't take what she's offering.

 

[hollydolly]

She's said the charity shops won't take what she's offering.

well if a Charity shop can't sell it, no-one can !

 

[Jules]

Thinking back, I’d scan the driveway items and if I had no interest in any of that, I’d leave to get to the other garage sales. Time is valuable when you’re garage saling. This was a competitive sport.

 

[debodun]

There wasn't as many sales this year as in the past considering it was a community event. The mayor posts the address of people having sales on the village web page that register with her. Only about a dozen listed - it's usually around 25 to 30. Last year 4 of my neighbors had sales. This year only my next door neighbor had one and he only did it one day and he didn't even register to be on the list.

 

[Oldeagle66]

Yep, yep... this is % me, too. In fact, I've left stores without buying things I really wanted because of pushy salespeople. When I was doing yard sales, I wanted to look at my leisure and would have been glad to pay the marked price without an owner trying to get me to buy more by telling me about "special prices" on things I didn't want.

Same here, just leave me alone. I'll let them know if I need them.

 

[UpstateGal]

@debodon, sounds as if you've been doing these garage sales for awhile. You're not a newbie so you must know at some point, you will have certain items, i.e decorative knickknacks, clothing, other household items, that won't sell regardless of price.

If it's not a matter of needing money, just cut out the middle man (charity shops-resellers) put everything to the end of the driveway with a free sign on the box/table. Trust me, most of it will be gone within a few days. People like free stuff. Some of those people might need it or just want it but don't have the few dollars to pay for it.

You will lighten your load and maybe make someone happy

 

[debodun]

put everything to the end of the driveway with a free sign on the box/table.

Tried that at the old house. I think there was more there than when I started. Maybe people were leaving their garage sale leftovers with mine just to get rid of it.

I had a couple of "free" boxes (like odds and ends of china and the like - could be used for pet food) and I didn't see anyone take anything out of them. It is bad when you can't give things away.

I was talking to my next door neighbor who also had a sale. He said "never again" and that he had leg cramps all night. He had a friend helping him. If it's a physical challenge for two strong men to set up a garage sale and didn't have anywhere what I had out for sale, imagine what it does to an old lady that has to do it herself. Surprisingly, my back and arms don't hurt, but my knees (especially the right one) have been real achy.