Snagging this for five bucks isn't truly surprising - nobody wants anybody's old stuff anymore. My co-worker from the 1980s was given her mom's old chandelier with instructions never to sell it for less than 10K! After her mom died, she got something like 50 bucks for it. Three years ago I remarried and sold the house where I had lived and raised two children. Never expected such remorse over it, but it hit me like a ton of bricks: I had ended up living in a middle-class but quite beautiful neighborhood in Connecticut that had a stunning view out of every single window. (Dealing with the new neighbor who mulched the strip of woods between my house and hers is the one thing I do not miss. That's a whole 'nother story...) Quite a bit of my old things went to my daughter, for whom I purchased a condo. The rest I tried to rid myself of via Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and FB, with very limited success. It took five visits by 1 800 GOT JUNK to clear out my house, and every time I watched that truck drive away with a lump in my throat.
Decades ago, when we left Iowa City for Wilmette, IL (quite a change from small town to small town attached to a big city), the very kind and generous mom of my own children’s close friends, offered to do a Yard Sale for me. Our kids were in elementary school by then so the Jem Star Stage and Snake Mountain (Heman) were too childlike for taking along to Chicago. So, over the course of a Saturday, C and I sold the stuff that my children had accumulated over 7 and 9 years respectively. At the end of the day I had $700 cash in hand and far fewer toys to pack and move. ($700 was a lot of money in 1990.)
To this day I marvel at the ONE garage/yard sale I have ever experienced. By the time we left IL to return to California, both children were in college and our neighbors with younger kids had eagerly snapped up hand-me-downs in dolls and trucks and Hanna pjs. When I downsized at 68 to a small condo, I literally gave away every piece of furniture I could not take with me. My antique oak table with 3 leaves (made 1840) now graces the dining room of the family I love most next to my own. Times have changed. I have changed. That $700 helped a lot. Now I prefer to run my hands over the old oak when I dine with my favorite family and imagine that old table has a new life of its own. KBM
I have pulled a person over on occasion to let them know that a price listed is too low. I like a bargain like most, but steeling it from a person not in the know is not the bargain I want.
Based on this paragraph, please write a short-story about yard sales. The action, humor and commentary packed in these 100 words is worthy of more; and perhaps less commentary on the economics of resale. "I was usually embarrassed by my mother’s eccentricities, but I loved these yard sales. They were dramatic, emotional events. As a would-be writer and creepily prurient observer of human behavior, I enjoyed just sitting there, watching people park in front of our house, get out, hike up their trousers, and try to contain their curiosity as they strolled in. Always slowly...."
The story of the tree reminds me of how I need to sell produce at a discount, rather than giving it to the chickens, at the end of the day at the Farmer's market.
I attend a lot of auctions where, over the years, I have purchased most of the items in my home. In some cases, I will purchase something that is better than what I currently have and then either sell the one being replaced or give it to the local thrift store that supports animals. Two weeks ago I purchased a Henkel Harris queen size 4 post bed, 2 bedside tables, dresser, chest of drawers and an unused, top of the line mattress, for $1,250. This was a set that probably sold for $20K new, and it's still in "new" condition. In October I bought a 2nd home in Ohio and one Saturday I went to an estate auction and bought just about the entire household (Full bed, washer, dryer, refrigerator, dining table w/4 chairs, 3 recliners, 2 couches, end tables, lamps, dishes, etc. for $650. It was enough to fully furnish my new 3 BR home. The thing to do is decide what an item is worth "to you" and not exceed that amount, while at the same time being aware of what the item would cost new. If I need something right now, I'll buy it at Walmart. If I can wait a few days, I'll buy it at a thrift store. If I can wait (all things comes to him who waits) then I'll look for it at an auction. For the most part, I pay between 10 and 25 cents on the dollar for things at an auction.
We held several “yard sales” when downsizing from the classic 4 bedroom colonial to the 2 bedroom condo.
Many buyers were in it for the pure joy of getting a bargain even if they didn’t need the item. We couldn’t tell them we would let them walk off with the item for nothing just so we didn’t have to drag it back into the house. That would spoil their fun.
Your dad was my kind of guy! My teenage daughter and I love attending estate sales and have bought so many great items for pennies on the dollar. I also love to negotiate - it's almost like a religion to me, so my entrepreneurial daughter has learned a great lesson in attending the sales with me. She never pays full price for anything.
Nice writing style on a topic many find interesting. Anyone with experience in sales know how fun it can be. I was amused right up until I saw the picture of your five dollar winner. Now I realize that it isn't the sale that intrigues you, nor the thrill of the hunt, it's the shock of your boring decadence in the eyes of decent people that actualy care about other people and things. So tell me you're of a tribe of malicious and heartless cretins without telling me you're a member of that vile tribe.
Great fun to read. I certainly recognize many scenarios described here from my own life after being in the high-end auction industry, antiquarian bookshop assistant, and Accredited Appraiser with the International Society of Appraisers for many years. When we get right down to it, we are all alike. Thank you for such a great post.
Snagging this for five bucks isn't truly surprising - nobody wants anybody's old stuff anymore. My co-worker from the 1980s was given her mom's old chandelier with instructions never to sell it for less than 10K! After her mom died, she got something like 50 bucks for it. Three years ago I remarried and sold the house where I had lived and raised two children. Never expected such remorse over it, but it hit me like a ton of bricks: I had ended up living in a middle-class but quite beautiful neighborhood in Connecticut that had a stunning view out of every single window. (Dealing with the new neighbor who mulched the strip of woods between my house and hers is the one thing I do not miss. That's a whole 'nother story...) Quite a bit of my old things went to my daughter, for whom I purchased a condo. The rest I tried to rid myself of via Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and FB, with very limited success. It took five visits by 1 800 GOT JUNK to clear out my house, and every time I watched that truck drive away with a lump in my throat.
Decades ago, when we left Iowa City for Wilmette, IL (quite a change from small town to small town attached to a big city), the very kind and generous mom of my own children’s close friends, offered to do a Yard Sale for me. Our kids were in elementary school by then so the Jem Star Stage and Snake Mountain (Heman) were too childlike for taking along to Chicago. So, over the course of a Saturday, C and I sold the stuff that my children had accumulated over 7 and 9 years respectively. At the end of the day I had $700 cash in hand and far fewer toys to pack and move. ($700 was a lot of money in 1990.)
To this day I marvel at the ONE garage/yard sale I have ever experienced. By the time we left IL to return to California, both children were in college and our neighbors with younger kids had eagerly snapped up hand-me-downs in dolls and trucks and Hanna pjs. When I downsized at 68 to a small condo, I literally gave away every piece of furniture I could not take with me. My antique oak table with 3 leaves (made 1840) now graces the dining room of the family I love most next to my own. Times have changed. I have changed. That $700 helped a lot. Now I prefer to run my hands over the old oak when I dine with my favorite family and imagine that old table has a new life of its own. KBM
This is brilliant.
I have pulled a person over on occasion to let them know that a price listed is too low. I like a bargain like most, but steeling it from a person not in the know is not the bargain I want.
Based on this paragraph, please write a short-story about yard sales. The action, humor and commentary packed in these 100 words is worthy of more; and perhaps less commentary on the economics of resale. "I was usually embarrassed by my mother’s eccentricities, but I loved these yard sales. They were dramatic, emotional events. As a would-be writer and creepily prurient observer of human behavior, I enjoyed just sitting there, watching people park in front of our house, get out, hike up their trousers, and try to contain their curiosity as they strolled in. Always slowly...."
The story of the tree reminds me of how I need to sell produce at a discount, rather than giving it to the chickens, at the end of the day at the Farmer's market.
Some fun in complicated times. Thank you ♥️
I attend a lot of auctions where, over the years, I have purchased most of the items in my home. In some cases, I will purchase something that is better than what I currently have and then either sell the one being replaced or give it to the local thrift store that supports animals. Two weeks ago I purchased a Henkel Harris queen size 4 post bed, 2 bedside tables, dresser, chest of drawers and an unused, top of the line mattress, for $1,250. This was a set that probably sold for $20K new, and it's still in "new" condition. In October I bought a 2nd home in Ohio and one Saturday I went to an estate auction and bought just about the entire household (Full bed, washer, dryer, refrigerator, dining table w/4 chairs, 3 recliners, 2 couches, end tables, lamps, dishes, etc. for $650. It was enough to fully furnish my new 3 BR home. The thing to do is decide what an item is worth "to you" and not exceed that amount, while at the same time being aware of what the item would cost new. If I need something right now, I'll buy it at Walmart. If I can wait a few days, I'll buy it at a thrift store. If I can wait (all things comes to him who waits) then I'll look for it at an auction. For the most part, I pay between 10 and 25 cents on the dollar for things at an auction.
you have too much money fot such ostentatious frugality🤪🤑🤔
Beautifully written and received with joy!
Agree 💯👍
We held several “yard sales” when downsizing from the classic 4 bedroom colonial to the 2 bedroom condo.
Many buyers were in it for the pure joy of getting a bargain even if they didn’t need the item. We couldn’t tell them we would let them walk off with the item for nothing just so we didn’t have to drag it back into the house. That would spoil their fun.
Your dad was my kind of guy! My teenage daughter and I love attending estate sales and have bought so many great items for pennies on the dollar. I also love to negotiate - it's almost like a religion to me, so my entrepreneurial daughter has learned a great lesson in attending the sales with me. She never pays full price for anything.
It does look like a pretty nice painting. Does anyone want to buy a book or two? Asking for a friend.
What a great story to start my day with. Thank you!
Totally agree 💯👍
Nice writing style on a topic many find interesting. Anyone with experience in sales know how fun it can be. I was amused right up until I saw the picture of your five dollar winner. Now I realize that it isn't the sale that intrigues you, nor the thrill of the hunt, it's the shock of your boring decadence in the eyes of decent people that actualy care about other people and things. So tell me you're of a tribe of malicious and heartless cretins without telling me you're a member of that vile tribe.
Gee, for $5 I could afford it too. Actually I should offer $6 and let's make a hope that you wouldn't outbid me then. :D
Thank you!
Great fun to read. I certainly recognize many scenarios described here from my own life after being in the high-end auction industry, antiquarian bookshop assistant, and Accredited Appraiser with the International Society of Appraisers for many years. When we get right down to it, we are all alike. Thank you for such a great post.