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

More than a few people that stopped just ran in, asked if I had any gold or silver, vinyl records, old CDs or entertainment systems. When I said "no", they just ran out again; didn't even look at anything. That seems to be the popular things these days, everything but what I have.
 

I don't know if this is something that's done where you are... but I've seen a few "make an offer" sales. Nothing is marked with prices... and of course people will low-ball, but the stuff would be gone and hopefully to someone who really liked it and end up with what they consider a real bargain. Like if you have a knick-knack you would have marked at $2, but it never sold before, and someone offers 50 cents, it would have sold, they'd be thrilled, and you wouldn't need to pack it up again.
 
Next step is taking items that don't sell and boxing them with more sellable items, and make the box affordable. That way you get rid of the trinkets for them to worry about.

Same with charity stores, you don't try and donate individual items, you donate by the box full and let them sort it.
 
When I did my aunt's estate, I had a good turnout and result advertising it as a "pick & dig" sale. Saved me a lot of trouble trying to set up and arrange things, but then, it was a different situation - I wasn't living in her house. I just left things where they were and let people do a walk-through and pick up what they wanted. But again, that was 13 years ago. Times and tastes have apparently changed.
 
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Personally, I don’t like the ‘make an offer’ situations. I don’t like to be rude so wouldn’t even bother. I don’t dicker either, unless it’s ridiculously miss priced. For some the negotiating is half the fun.
 

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


I guess some people went into your garage. Did they buy anything? I think most garage sale shoppers want to find a useful bargain. Or something they can make a profit on. From previous pics of your setups there seems to be a lot of stuff unsold. You might want to get rid of stuff you haven't sold in the last 5 or 6 years. Or just look at putting stuff out & back in again as good exercise.
 
debodun said:
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.
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Not bad, but a sign that they can be tossed.
Seriously, why put things out and take them back in? Once they are out , don't let them back into the house... take them to be donated or bag them to be thrown away.
 
debodun said:
When I did my aunt's estate, I had a good turnout and result advertising it as a "pick & dig" sale. Saved me a lot of trouble trying to set up and arrange things, but then, it was a different situation - I wasn't living in her house. I just left things where they were and let people do a walk-through and pick up what they wanted. But again, that was 13 years ago. Times and tastes have apparently changed.
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For a while after I retired I would visit the yard sales, came across an estate sale where potential buyers walked through the house. I didn't buy anything, was already picked & digged pretty good.
 
I can’t speak for other countries but here in Australia op shops are selling stuff on ebay …especially the Salvos

We had a 2 day garage sale in Feb ….due to downsizing we made a nice amount of $$$ ..over $2.000 what was left went in neighbours part built home ….builders bin …..as op shops have got to fussy …it would involve a 40 + km trip to deliver to them ..and with petrol being over $2 a ltr …its far more economical to put it the big skip bin
They recycle stuff …

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debodun said:
More than a few people that stopped just ran in, asked if I had any gold or silver, vinyl records, old CDs or entertainment systems. When I said "no", they just ran out again; didn't even look at anything. That seems to be the popular things these days, everything but what I have.
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that's understandable - if people are only after specific things and you don't have those, no point them staying and looking at other things they are not interested in.

I can understand people not wanting to go inside a garage too - often people are just casual browsers - if something catches their eye they might buy it - but they are not serious enough to go inside and feel obliged to buy something
I would rather peruse at an open air trash and treasure market than inside a persons garage.

I had a garage sale once when I moved house - they are a lot of work and you don't get what things are worth - but it was good t o move things on I didnt want to take with me or wouldnt fit in new house.

I wouldn't be doing it on a regular basis though unless you really enjoy it - seems a lot of work for minimal return to me.
 
Kadee said:
.as op shops have got to fussy
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that's understandable too - no point them taking things they know wont sell.

My Dad once had a beautiful teak TV cabinet - would fit a small TV.

OP shops wouldn't take it because they knew from experience nobody wants them these days.
 
debodun said:
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.
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This kills me. I once hit a garage sale with sister, we didn't venture into the garage. Then the woman comes out with 2, 7' inflated GODZILLAS!!! Then I found out, she'd paid $5 each (This was 1994)

For several days afterward, I punched myself for that stupid error in judgement.
 
January said:
that's understandable too - no point them taking things they know wont sell.

My Dad once had a beautiful teak TV cabinet - would fit a small TV.

OP shops wouldn't take it because they knew from experience nobody wants them these days.
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It’s totally understandable as to many have been using op shops as dumping grounds for far to long and it costs then $1.000’s a year to dump others Rubbish

After we dragged our stuff out of storage between selling our home and having the existing home built
I put a heap of stuff in the car and took it to the op shop and invited the manager to look at it..before removing from the car ..she approved all of it cause what i had was good quality / clothing / new quilt covers / sheets / due to upgrading from a Queen size to a King size bed …I had way to many as new towels …/ hand towels….face washers ….. .most of which went to local
veterinary clinic ( they are always grateful for sheets / towels )
I still give stuff to Adra ..don’t have a clue what it stands for….its 7 day Adventist ….

Where I live we get 2 free trailer loads a year for green waste , (providing you are a homeowner ) as we are ….however if we wanted to dump a mattress or a 6X 4 trailer load of rubbish it would cost us $60
 
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Yes thats right, it was a beautiful cabinet and classic design but dated because it would only fit a small TV and everyone has a large one now.
 

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