garage/yard sale 5

from the RevGals, of course

Songbird asks some leading questions:

1) Are you a garage saler?

Yes, but not compulsively. As in most places, Saturday mornings are the usual Sale days in these here parts, and I usually have something else scheduled. I love garage and yard sales, thrift stores and swap meets because despite not buying all that much at any of those venues, I've bought some of my most favorite things (clothes, decorative artifacts, a few pieces of furniture to paint and miscellaneous other stuff) pre-owned.

2) If so, are you an immediate buyer or a risk taker who comes back later when prices are lower?

Buyer-on-the-flyer here; I learned very early on if I really and truly want it it's so worth buying it then and there unless the asking price truly is absolutely unreal.

3) What's the best treasure you've found at a yard or garage sale?

Oh, this list could be endless! In terms of the % of my clothes and other stuff the number's not that high, but for right now I'll mention the 9-drawer chest I bought either unpainted or barely so for $15 at our church thrift store (see #4); I colorblocked it with paint in four different orangey-yellows and added ceramic knobs I got on Ebay; I'll post a pic later.

4) If you've done one yourself, at church or at home, was it worth the effort?

I helped a friend with one of her sales, including donating some of my things to the cause and we mutually swapped a few things we hadn't known each other had, but I do not believe it would be worth doing it on my own; for the most part I keep my overflow culled by freecycling. The church I served in City of History had an onsite thrift store in business every weekend; they generally set up the loot on Friday, which was my usual day off, but often I"d buy Saturday lunch there and help with storing everything Saturday afternoons. The prices were right, and I bought some stuff. In addition, the mostly women who ran the shop sometimes at times would announce to me they just got a donation from one of the "suburban churches" and I"d get to sort through the clothes before they put them out for the neighborhood folks. BTW, I paid for my treasures, but senior pastor seemed to think he should get everything for free! He bought, or got, all of his blue jeans there...

5) Can you bring yourself to haggle?

Very very occasionally; sometimes successfully, sometimes not, though I never pay advertised price anywhere in Mexico, but that's a way different culture with different expectations and practices.

BONUS: For the true aficionado: Please discuss the impact of Ebay, Craig's List, Freecycle, etc... on the church or home yard/garage sale.

On eBay I've bought quite a few things off and on: new and used (pre-owned, already worn—you know!), mainly clothes and household (domestic?) textiles, though I'm too lazy too venture into eBay sales. Here's my freecycle post again. I've kept a list of the stuff I've offered on freecycle and it's almost 100 items long, with many of that being multiples of whatever I've offered, though I've only received a few plates from someone else. I visited Craigslist for the first time ever just a couple weeks ago, and I must say it is funky! I was there for a friend whose dog had been stolen (prayers, please, please) and didn't check anything else. But Songbird asked about the impact of all of those on the church or home sales? No clue, really, but again I'll say some of my most favorites of everything have been from other than the typical retail suspects.