And here is what helped me get ready for the sale!
As you can see by the photo, I really did have a sale. The whole Pile was priced and put out in the driveway with the SIL's help. Mr. B was the cashier, I was the roving salesperson. Problem is, not much of it sold. I priced it low, even the furniture.
This is furniture left over from the store we closed. It is new, pine and is made in Pennsylvania. The corner cupboard was originally priced at $1,350 and in the tag sale at $225. But there was really no interest in the furniture. We did an ad in the paper explaining we had new furniture.
At the end of the day the whole pile moved back into the garage. Tag sales are not my favorite things. I don't mind the getting ready so much, but I hate people offering me 25 cents for my possessions no matter what price they are marked! As Janean of Old Sweetwater Cottage says, it is the bargaining that keeps her from doing sales. She would rather give items to a thrift shop! We really hoped to turn the items into cash to go into a special fund to buy Mr. B a larger TV, a desk and build shelves into the TV room closet to hold the TV.
Our tradition on yard sale day is to treat the "workers" to pizza out of the profits. It keeps morale up! So off we went to Willington Pizza where my SIL and I celebrated the completion of the sale and moving it back into the garage with a beer. I tried some Gorgonzola bread on my daughter's recommendation and it was mighty tasty! The cheese with herbs is on French bread and warmed.
There is a separate pile in the garage of boxes full of small antiques. We have attended an auction and it doesn't seem to be a good time to sell anything. There is another auction coming up Monday that we should attend to judge prices. I just no longer want so many small antiques on display like a copper kettle, an old rolling pin, vegetable choppers, crocks. And baskets! I unpacked at least three boxes of baskets and many of them are quite old.
Believe it or not, I still haven't unpacked all the boxes. More sorting to be done. Thank you all for your words of encouragement!
8 comments:
Some people have a lot of success selling on Craigs List. Have you tried that?
You asked about the lumber used for my raised beds. It is landscape timber. We got it at Lowe's. It is stacked three high and then holes are drilled through them and rebar pounded in through the holes into the ground. First we laid down landscape fabric. When it was all built I filled it with dirt. Here are a couple of links to posts I did about it this spring.
http://thecomfortsofhome.blogspot.com/2010/04/weekend-plans.html
http://thecomfortsofhome.blogspot.com/2010/04/playing-in-dirt-part-two.html
Hugs,
Penny
I agree with Penny to list it on Craigslist. I've had good success selling things there. You could also put some of the smaller antique or vintage things on Etsy. Best of luck!
Sherry
I no longer do garage sales for the same reason... I can't deal with people wanting to pay a quarter for something I already underpriced, even though I do it myself when I attend sales. And to end a day of sales after a week of preparing with only a few extra bucks just isn't worth it. I'd rather stay in my studio and paint... and give my things away.
Last time I had a closet cleanout I put all the small dishes and glassware on the dining table and invited some young women from church to come take what they wanted. Now that felt good!
Good heavens - are people that stingy?? I can't imagine anyone not snapping up that corner cupboard and all the other things at such reduced prices. What a lot of work for you.
I only ever held one Yard sale...never again! so I feel your pain :)
I would have been jumping out of a moving car if I had seen your sale. I would love to have had the chairs and that fireplace mantel. At least where I live its the end of the garage sale season and we just don't get a good turnout.
I also know what you mean about people asking for a reduction in price on something you have marked for a quarter. I'd rather take it out in the yard and run over it.
I have found that junk goes really well at yard sales. The good things get passed up. What about finding a local antique/vintage store to take them on consignment? That's how I sold the furniture that didn't sell at my yard sale. Stores usually take about 50% but in the process, you help them out too.
-Lana
Hi from your across the LI Sound neighbor!
I would have snapped up those chairs. How far are you from the ferry in New London? I could meet you in Orient and buy the chairs!
I have had fun reading some of your posts. I saw your comment at Marty's and came over for a look!
Nice to meet you!
Kathleen
Southampton, NT
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