I may chat about my books, what I'm writing or reading, or just general thoughts. You may read posts about my cats or just my crazy life in general. Comments are welcome, if anyone wants to interact with me. Maybe we can share war stories, whether it's writing related or just about life in general.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Yard Sales




I like going to these, but not having one myself.  People are strange where I live and unless you’re practically giving it away, you’re better off to donate your junk or sell it on Craigslist.  That’s certainly better than sitting in the yard for hours waiting for people to come by.

They hold garage sales and yard sales here on Fridays and Saturdays.  It’s a no-no- to hold them on Sundays.  This is the first state I’ve lived in where very little business is conducted on a Sunday.

We did well with yard sales in California, but not here.  Tools and baby items are popular in this state, so you’ll get some lookers if you have those things for sale.  You better be prepared to strike a cheap bargain though, if you want the sale.


Looking at yard and garage sales is a completely different thing.  One man’s trash is another's treasure, as they say.  You never know what you’ll find if you’re willing to take the time.  I especially like the sales if the proceeds are going to a worthy cause.  My neighbor holds a yard sale twice a year to benefit homeless animals and the no-kill shelter where I live.  She does very well because people like giving to the animals when they buy something from her.

Do you frequent garage sales?  Have you ever found a real bargain?
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21 comments:

  1. JustlittlecajunmeApril 29, 2015 at 5:23 AM

    I rarely go to yard sales. My sister and I had one years ago and we vowed we'll never do it again. Twice a year there is a 13 mile Garage sale in my area. We allow a man to put his stuff out in our yard because he does not live within the 13 miles. It is amazing how many people go. There are traffic jams in the front of our home on that day only. Its crazy LOL!

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    Replies
    1. SunniApril 29, 2015 at 4:16 PM

      Lisa,

      I can't imagine a 13-mile yard sale! I imagine that would be terrific for people who frequent the garage sales.

      Thanks for leaving a comment.

      Sunni

      Delete
  2. Chrys FeyApril 29, 2015 at 7:55 AM

    I am a huge fan of yard sales and garage sales. I like picking through and finding things I need or just speak to me. I've only had one yard sale and I didn't do too well.

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    1. SunniApril 29, 2015 at 4:20 PM

      Chrys,

      I like picking around garage sales, but I seldom get out of the house in time to do that. You never know what you'll find sometimes. I've only had one garage sale since moving to the desert. We didn't do well either and had to sit out in that heat all day. Now I usually just put stuff on consignment or donate it.

      Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.

      Sunni

      Delete
  3. UnknownApril 29, 2015 at 12:41 PM

    I desperately do (but also don't) want to have a garage sale. I want to sell stuff, but I don't want to do any of the preparations or have people come to my house. :) I love the idea of having a garage sale and giving no-kill shelters! That might provoke to grit my teeth and do it in the future!

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    Replies
    1. SunniApril 29, 2015 at 4:25 PM

      Megan,

      I don't like the prep work involved either before the garage sale. Then you have to get up VERY early to set up (I''m not an early bird) and then sit outside all day waiting for people to come and bargain with you over the already cheap prices. It's easier to donate the stuff or put the better things on consignment.

      My neighbor does one twice a year and all proceeds go to the no-kill animal shelter here.

      Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.

      Sunni

      Delete
  4. PaulaApril 29, 2015 at 1:24 PM

    I used to go to yard sales a lot. Not so much anymore. And I agree with you about having them......so much work!

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    Replies
    1. SunniApril 29, 2015 at 4:26 PM

      Paula,

      It is a lot of work to get organized. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

      Sunni

      Delete
  5. Liz A.April 29, 2015 at 7:09 PM

    Seems like no one wants to spend very much hereabouts either. I'm not much for them, but I'm rarely looking for stuff anyway.

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    1. SunniApril 29, 2015 at 11:14 PM

      Liz,

      I rarely go to a garage sale these days, however, I love book sales.

      Thanks for visiting.

      Sunni

      Delete
  6. pilch92April 29, 2015 at 7:45 PM

    I got our big cat tree for $25, it retails for about $200. I have gotten many a good idea for free too like a long narrow table and an ottoman :)

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    Replies
    1. SunniApril 29, 2015 at 11:15 PM

      pilch,

      Sometimes you do luck out and find something spectacular.

      Thanks for leaving a comment.

      Sunni

      Delete
  7. bettyApril 29, 2015 at 11:38 PM

    Its funny because I will have yard sales but never go to yard sales (well rarely go to them). When we were decluttering hubby's parents' home that he inherited (and we were living in the house at the time of the decluttering, talk about a disaster) we had several sales. You are right, tools are big sellers along with children's toys/clothes. Books used to be good sellers but I think not these days because of Kindle and the like. My intent when I have a garage sale is just to get all things GONE no matter what we get for the items so I don't price items, but when someone asks I usually go really low , like 25 cents for most items, big items like furniture of course more. Hubby had to help with the last sell because we were finally selling his dad's tools and I know nothing about them so he priced those. I do agree, if I do stop by a sale that the proceeds are going to a good cause, I tend to buy something small and donate the rest of the money I give them to their cause.

    betty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SunniApril 29, 2015 at 11:52 PM

      Betty,

      What we don't sell we donate, so it doesn't go back in the garage or the house. It gets placed in the truck then and is ready to go.

      Thanks for leaving a comment.

      Sunni

      Delete
  8. PL KeenorApril 30, 2015 at 1:29 AM

    I have recently become freelance after working full-time for 30+ years so I have a little more time than I did. My mission in life now is to declutter and I am gathering things suitable for a yard sale. I wish I had spotted you before on the A to Z Challenge! I enjoyed reading your blog and will be back to visit again. I am over at www.thatspurrfect.blogspot.com I love the pictures of your cats!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SunniApril 30, 2015 at 4:31 PM

      Hi PL,

      It's hard to visit everyone during the challenge. BUT I'm copying the list so I can visit more of the blogs I missed after the challenge is over.

      I do a little freelance work myself but it's very unsteady income. I'm retired but trying to get a PT job right now. I'll still be able to keep up with the freelance when I secure a job there.

      I've been trying to weed things out for the last year. My garage is total chaos. I'm gradually making headway, but I can't work out there year round due to the weather where I live. It will get done eventually.

      I suspect you may have cats too, so I'll definitely be over to check out your blog.

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Sunni

      Delete
  9. Mister WeirdoApril 30, 2015 at 5:15 AM

    I did go to yard sales in my younger days. I give away a lot of stuff that I don't need. But I think I'm gonna go visit a few yards this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Mister WeirdoApril 30, 2015 at 5:15 AM

    I did go to yard sales in my younger days. I give away a lot of stuff that I don't need. But I think I'm gonna go visit a few yards this weekend.

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    Replies
    1. SunniApril 30, 2015 at 4:34 PM

      Mister Weirdo,

      I donate a lot of stuff too rather than having a yard sale. But I do like to go to one ocassionally.

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Sunni

      Delete
  11. ErraticElleMay 2, 2015 at 10:23 PM

    I like yard/garage sales in theory, but I don't do well with them in practice. I haven't ever held one myself simply because I don't want a bunch of strangers traipsing around my lawn. As for shopping at them, I love the deals but I don't get up early enough to get the good ones. Around here, if you aren't there before 8 then good luck finding anything decent. It's nuts. Elle @ Erratic Project Junkie

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  12. SunniMay 3, 2015 at 1:55 PM

    Elle,

    I'm no early bird either so I never get to the sales usually, or as you say, all the good sufff is gone. Even when they say no early birds in the ad, people just ignore that here.

    Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.

    Sunni

    ReplyDelete

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comment on my posts. I appreciate it.
Sunni

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