YARD SALES! hate, hate, putting one on

Several weeks ago we got a flyer from a neighbor.  They were organizing the block yard sale. (it was yesterday)  They would do the publicity, get a dumpster and a charity's truck there for leftovers.  All we had to do was put out our treasures.  I wanted nothing to do with it.

You price hundreds of things, carry out heavy tables and stuff.  People show up two hours before the sale and want you to cut prices before you even get set up.  It is a Saturday and we would have to be up way before a decent hour.  Long hours on our feet, hot sun, and I could list lots more.  I hate yard sales.

But Marty thought we should clean out more stuff from the storage shed.  After a year and a half we have discovered we don't need everything stored in the shed.  Hell, we don't need most that is in that shed, but I want it.  Thus the storage shed.

I said no, no, still having flashbacks to getting rid of treasures when we sold the house and downsized.  Too much work for too little money.  We dithered around and never got out to the shed until Friday night.  Our downstairs neighbor asked if we would be joining her at 6:30 to set up for the 8:00 sale.  I said no, Marty said maybe.  I knew I was doomed.  We were going to do the yard sale. 

We picked items we could give up, found tables to set up, and did not put stickers on everything.  We just grouped stuff, and eyeballed it when we put it out.  That cut out a lot of prep time.

Yes some people were there by 7, an hour before everything started.  Some bought, and we did not cut prices for them.  It was perfect weather for being outside with no shade.  It was foggy and cool.  Well it was until about 11:00, and the fog burned off.  We had wind which helped, but when it stopped it wasn't very pleasant being outside.  Then the wind really kicked up, and things were flying, even boxed items.  Lots of exercise chasing stuff.  Also we both have interesting sun and wind burns.

We did make money, we sold a lot of Marty's glass.  We had fun, our downstairs' neighbor is entertaining.  But we were exhausted.  Too much standing and walking.  Too much toting heavy things up and down stairs, carrying stuff from the storage shed.  Lots of bending over,  too much fighting fierce winds.  And no nap for the drama queen. 

I took a shower as soon as all was back to normal, and put on my night shirt.  This was at 4:00.  I was ready for bed.  Marty was going to the gym to use the spa facilities and soak the soreness out of his body.  He said we would go out to eat when he got back.  And I said, no thanks.

Why you ask?  I was too tired to put on make up and to get dressed.  I did not want to move.  I barely could move.  So sweet Marty hit our favorite Chinese restaurant on the way home and brought lots of goodies for supper. 

Today we both feel better, but I still hate yard sales.

Yard Sale, Yuck!

Marty decided we should have a yard sale.  He has all kinds of yard tools, saws, drills, a work bench, nails, bolts, sprinkler things, electrical stuff, speakers, and on and on.  We can’t fit this in a smaller place or have a need for it in an apartment.  I said donate it, give it to contractor friends.  Anything but a yard sale.  He said look through the house and put out what you want to get rid of.

I did not win this one.  We had a yard sale today.  Our son came over to help us last night.  He and his Dad pulled stuff from under the house.  They drug out stuff from the garage.  I ignored them.  A friend came to keep me company and I bitched to her all afternoon.  I did feed Marty and son, Erik, a lovely dinner.

We have done yard sales through the years.  They have been massive amounts of work, and very little profit.  I did not see anyway this one would be different.  Well, I was wrong.

We made money.  Money that was worth the hard work we all did.  I broke down and helped them a little late yesterday.  And I was the best salesperson you have ever seen.  We earned every penny.

The sale was from 9-2.  At 8:30 we had people as we were still setting up.  AND they wanted us to cut the price.  I just looked at one pushy bitch and said, “We are not open yet.  Why would I cut my price?  Come back at 1:00.”  She left in a huff.  I didn’t care.

We met lovely people who will love the treasures we were selling.  We met people who have no social skills, and pushed me to the I will kill you point.  Our son worked his hiney off.  He travels all week and spent his down time helping us.  Bless him and his wife.

It was a long, hot day.  We survived.  All three of us are sore.  Being on a concrete driveway for hours and hours will destroy your body.  Young or old, this is hard work. We never got to sit down.  Then what doesn’t sell must go back somewhere in the house.  Erik by himself put most of it back in the garage.  Marty and I were with a couple who bought some furniture inside the house. 

I still hate yard sales.  We made some nice money.  But my knees hurt, my back is screaming, and my feet will never forgive me.  And Marty, he is in worse shape than I am.  Never again.  Well until August.  We are doing another one as we pack out the house.  If we don’t really love it, to the driveway it goes. 

Help me!

 

YARD SALES

Yard Sales. Not my favorite way to make money. Way too much work for too little money. You advertise the sale is from 9 -4. At 6:30 you have people (usually dealers) beating on your door. "Let us buy now. We will take everything at half price." I am not real nice that early in the morning. So they don't buy anything. Anyway, we don't hold yard sales anymore. We donate to charity and take the tax deduction. But we like to go to them.

Today, several of our neighbors had yard sales. They had lots of children's books and toys, strollers, playpens, and baby baths. And there were dishes, baskets, spices that were still sealed. It was fun to look. And I was really tempted by the spices and baskets. But I can't put anything else in my little house. The most fun was talking to the neighbors. Some neighbors met each other for the first time. Some we talked to we hadn't seen all winter.

We mostly talked about how to kill the gophers. We all have lost plants, bushes, and trees to these furry monsters. They make deer look like amateurs. One neighbor plans to get a chair, a book, and a beer and then sit with a pellet gun. He is going to take the gophers out one by one.

Yard sales are a lot of work. But they are a great way for the neighbors to get together.