Garage Sale Rant

**Holding Pattern** · 09-19-2009, 02:24 PM

One the way home from running errands today we decided to stop off at a few yard/garage sales. I don't know when it started, but this year it seems to be people selling absolute junk for top dollar. Used men's watches @ $100/ea (the seller guaranteed them for a year but the seller was moving, lol). Old, soiled doghouse for $65, dvd's for $10 and not titles you've heard of either. And the clothes looked unwashed and in piles. This is a conglomerate of several sales we stopped at. I can buy a $10 toaster brand new and it's a heck of a lot cleaner than that one...unless I happen to need bread crumbs then we would have been in luck.
The worst...an electric razor from the early 80's complete with hair - for $20.

Why do people not understand that 1) price things reasonably and you'll make more money and have less left over at the end of the day and 2) clean up your things first, please.

I will step off of my soapbox now.

**frugalfranny** · 09-19-2009, 02:58 PM

Wow......I would swear you must live in my city.

I know what you mean. The garage sales in my area, for the most part, are really hit and miss.......and mostly miss. I just don't even go very often. You do have to know the 'part of town' to go to but that is too much driving for the gamble/time for me. I would rather take my chance at the thrift shops....have more to look at....and better quality.

**JenMarie** · 09-19-2009, 06:11 PM

Yep, I've noticed this too... I went to one the lady had baby clothes for $8 each (not high end ones, just from Kohls, penney's, etc) and used sippy cups for $3... I can buy stuff on sale brand new for less than that.

**cissylu** · 09-19-2009, 06:41 PM

They probably carried most of back in. Yep if it`s to high I keep going.

**guest002** · 09-19-2009, 06:42 PM

They will learn. Just move right along.

**Nishu** · 09-20-2009, 05:22 PM

Part of the problem I think is that a lot of people who are running the sales have never had one and don't normally shop them. The economy has forced a few people to look for other means of income, and a lot of these folks just have really no idea how it's done.

**Jamauk** · 09-20-2009, 05:36 PM

I agree with Nishu. I was at a rummage sale yesterday and floored at the prices. A lot of people are desperate for a few extra dollars, so they are just dumping all of their junk and trying to squeeze every last penny out of it.

**littleplum** · 09-20-2009, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Holding Pattern

One the way home from running errands today we decided to stop off at a few yard/garage sales. I don't know when it started, but this year it seems to be people selling absolute junk for top dollar. Used men's watches @ $100/ea (the seller guaranteed them for a year but the seller was moving, lol). Old, soiled doghouse for $65, dvd's for $10 and not titles you've heard of either. And the clothes looked unwashed and in piles. This is a conglomerate of several sales we stopped at. I can buy a $10 toaster brand new and it's a heck of a lot cleaner than that one...unless I happen to need bread crumbs then we would have been in luck.
The worst...an electric razor from the early 80's complete with hair - for $20.

Why do people not understand that 1) price things reasonably and you'll make more money and have less left over at the end of the day and 2) clean up your things first, please.

I will step off of my soapbox now.

Free hair! How could you pass up that bargain?!

**Debbie-cat** · 09-20-2009, 07:37 PM

It has been like that here as well. I think people are desperate for some money and they have never had a yard sale before so they are unsure of how to price things and that items need to be clean and in good shape.

I would rather shop at my Goodwill......like alot of you know!

**Nishu** · 09-20-2009, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by Jamauk

I agree with Nishu. I was at a rummage sale yesterday and floored at the prices. A lot of people are desperate for a few extra dollars, so they are just dumping all of their junk and trying to squeeze every last penny out of it.

Did you go to the rotary club rags sale this year at the fairgrounds? Their prices were fabulous! I can't wait till next years sale.

**Jamauk** · 09-20-2009, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by Nishu

Did you go to the rotary club rags sale this year at the fairgrounds? Their prices were fabulous! I can't wait till next years sale.

No, I didn't even know about it! I'll have to keep an eye out for it next year and meet you there!!

**beks37** · 09-20-2009, 09:05 PM

Some people think very highly of their things and think that other's should too. When I have my garage sales, I make sure my things are "priced to sell". I don't want to keep anything!

**nuisance26** · 09-20-2009, 09:17 PM

~I can't believe you just didn't start laughing hysterically! Wouldn't that be a great tv show? Just take a camera and expose the complete junk and ludicrous pricing at yard sales?
I think the worst thing I've ever seen at a yard sale was a used toilet brush for $1. And I did start laughing hysterically!

~

**McD** · 09-20-2009, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by nuisance26

~I can't believe you just didn't start laughing hysterically! Wouldn't that be a great tv show? Just take a camera and expose the complete junk and ludicrous pricing at yard sales?
I think the worst thing I've ever seen at a yard sale was a used toilet brush for $1. And I did start laughing hysterically!

~

I've seen people attempting to sell used undergarments. Ick.

**mom23boyz** · 09-20-2009, 11:00 PM

The "issue" around here lately is the yard sales and swap meet too everyone has new stuff(returns from Target etc) for top dollar!! Very few even have used stuff anymore.