Christmas

Monday, June 15, 2015

Yard Sale

With all the care our back and front yards require, I’d like to sell it! However, I’m referring here to the sale of junque by homeowners who want money before they discard. Two or three years ago, our little town decided to get in on the action, and they began to require permits for yard or garage sales, and, of course, there was a fee attached! Well, that action caused a huge maelstrom, and protests were heard far and wide. Now, our little town encompasses less than a square mile, and there are only about 4500 residents. So, the homeowners weren’t thrilled, and they made themselves known.

At that point, the town decided to have the local PTA be the recipients of the fees, and most feathers became unruffled. However, the paperwork probably became too much. So, now there is a town-wide yard sale once a year in June. That occurred this past Saturday. Once you register and receive a permit, your address was listed on the town website as your advertisement. No more do we see those yard sale signs tacked to trees and poles. Now, it’s all digital. The sale ran for five hours – 9:00 to 2:00 – so the buyers and browsers had lots of time to visit the over one hundred homes that participated.

I could never pull such a sale together for myself, despite the fact that I have tons of ‘priceless treasures!’ My husband wouldn’t be home, and the kids were all tied up, so a yard sale just wasn’t in my wheel house! I did, however, once have one, and I remember it well, even though it was years ago!

My then neighbor asked if we wanted to join them and have a sale between our two homes. Naiveté was my middle name back then, and I gladly accepted the invitation. Then I discovered how much work was involved: gathering items, pricing them, affixing labels, setting up tables, and praying that it wouldn’t rain. Since ours was the only sale that day, we had tons of people shopping. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that such sales attract early birds, who can be obnoxious. They poked around while we were still setting up. They began grabbing articles and telling us what they’d pay for it. Many were dealers who wanted furniture and antiques. One saw something he liked and wanted to go through our house to see what else he could find. Are you freaking kidding me? Halfway through the sale, the headache that started from the early morning annoyances had grown monumentally, and I wanted to sit down and cry. I swore I’d never do it again, and I’ve kept that promise all these years. I did end up buying things from the neighbor, too – books and a brand new ice cream maker! Naturally, she bought none of mine!

Evidently, the buyers still exist because our street was covered with cars and trucks. They’d wander around to the various houses, and I’d watch them haul their goodies to their vehicles and take off. The atmosphere was carefree and joyous, so I suppose everyone was happy. So was I – sitting inside a cool house, watching the goings-on from my window.

Peace,

Muff

11 comments:

  1. I had a yard sale where a couple came and piled more and more stuff--all stuff I wanted to get rid of and all "priced to sell." Once they had their pile paid for and loaded they handed my a card for their antique shop and asked me to let them know if I ever hosted another sale. My guess is they were laughing at me for selling all that valuable stuff and tickled with themselves for scoring brilliant bargains. And I truly hope it worked out for them because I was not selling to make money so much as to make room.

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    1. I'm the same way -- I just want to get rid of things, but I'll give them to anyone who wants them!

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  2. I am not a fan of yard sales, we call them garage sales here. I call them garbage sales! I donate all my "treasures" to Good Will and the Salvation Army.

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    1. Our "garage sales" usually take place at the edge of a garage. Yard sales are on the lawn or the driveway. I, too, send tons of 'stuff' to charitable organizations.

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    2. Our "garbage" sales are in garages, in driveways on lawns, and even on publically owned boulevards.

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  3. I've never had one and have attended exactly one, almost twenty years ago. Guess what? I still use regularly the bowls I bought then. Which should be a reason to frequent more sales, except now the walking part takes all the fun out of it.

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    1. You're right -- not being able to walk definitely limits our 'fun' times!

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  4. I don't think I have ever been to a garage sale....it somehow feels a little uncomfortable for me. And there is not one thing I need!!

    I try to find families in need of the things I need to purge!!

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    1. I don't go to them, either, but I know that if I did, I'd get caught up in the whole frenzy!

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  5. Oh we love garage sales and go just about every Friday! Of course we need nothing but it is fun to look. I am making glass flowers so it is fun to look for old dishes:)

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    1. The only things I ever wanted to find were old frames, which I'd refinish for my artwork. But I went to an art auction, not the yard sales.

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