Random OT: Yard Sales

Submitted by Mr. Elbel on
So, today my girlfriend and I are sharing a multi-family yard sale with her parents and a friend of the family. We have a bunch of her kids' baby clothes and toys, plus some random stuff her ex-husband never picked up when he walked out. So, questions for the mgocommunity, since it IS a Saturday in the summer (for us Americans at least): what's the most you've ever made at a yard (or garage...or rummage) sale? Coolest thing you've sold? How about the coolest thing you've bought (particularly sports or UM related)? This is my first sale I've been involved in as an adult, so I have no idea what we sold growing up. But I do remember buying one of those tiny kids' size basketballs for $.50 or so when I was in elementary school. I used to love playing bball in the driveway with that ball instead of the regular sized one because I could do awesome dunks without losing the ball. The hoop had to be left down all the way of course, but hey, made me feel like a champ jumping 2 inches off the ground and windmilling it!

LSAClassOf2000

July 9th, 2016 at 7:03 AM ^

A lot of communities around me (as well as mine) have city-wide garage sales on various weekends throughout May, June and July where they waive the permit fee and let anyone living within the city limits have a sale. That's typically when we do it if indeed we have a sale, and a few years ago, thanks mainly to a lot clothes and furniture, we made close to $700 over the course of three days. 
 

Coolest Michigan-related item? Some guy in Woodhaven years ago was selling some old programs, mainyl from the 1980s and 1990s, and I bought those. Not worth too much by themselves, but a nice conversation piece all the same and several for games I had been to as a kid and later a student.

1blueeye

July 9th, 2016 at 7:22 AM ^

$700 last week. What a pain though. Especially the early birds who show up before you are set up. Fill a cooler and bring a Bluetooth speaker to play some tunes cause it's a long hot day. Easiest sales were kids clothes and storage shelves. Toughest sells were furniture and small appliances/electronics.

sum1valiant

July 9th, 2016 at 8:06 AM ^

my wife got into the community garage sale Facebook groups. theyre fantastic, and can set up convenient meeting times. I've picked up a new miter saw and a chandelier over the last week, and probably saved $400-$500 in the process. I've also sold an old lawnmower, a couple rugs, and some other random junk that would have ended up in the trash otherwise.

Mabel Pines

July 9th, 2016 at 9:16 AM ^

during the community wide sale fest in May.  It's great.  One year I recouped $900! (hubby says I'm not allowed to say "made" because I "made" nothing.)  You get pennies on the dollar, but at least I get rid of my stuff in one day.  I Loved the facebook groups as well, as you make WAY more $$ on your old stuff.  But I'm not on facebook anymore. (got tired of the "my kids are amazing" crowd and I don't translate well to print)

ribs1

July 10th, 2016 at 11:36 AM ^

Again, False.  Ever tried to ship a boat trailer?  Old popup camper?  Beat up lawn tractor?

Shitty big ass floor lamp?

Ebay and Craigslist have probably increased garage sailing as you now have all kinds of people out there trying to buy garage sale stuff and flip it for profit online.

 

I'm Batman

July 9th, 2016 at 7:54 AM ^

When I was 21, I was at a yard sale and they had about 12 Budweiser party ball taps in a box all labeled 25 cents a piece. I gave the lady $3 for the box. Then went straight to the liquor store and collected my $120 in deposits.

Mr. Yost

July 9th, 2016 at 8:00 AM ^

[count] chiefly US
 
: a sale of used furniture, clothing, etc., held at the seller's home
— called also (US) tag sale(US) garage sale
 
Sweet title...Random OT: Justin Feagin

Blumami

July 9th, 2016 at 11:09 PM ^

Chiefly US perhaps but not exclusively. Spent a couple of years in Trollhattan a few years back at a now defunct automaker and they were all over the place in Sweden:

Loppis is the Swedish term for garage or yard sale. They take place through out the country and while are the same concept as yard sales (used items for a discount price), they are also a bit different. While people who are moving or cleaning out their house can have a loppis, some times loppis’ are permanent. These can also be in people’s yards who are located near a highway (and get a lot of drive by traffic). I’ve also seen them in small town grocery stores! Usually in the summer a town will host a loppis where people can pay for a spot, bring their stuff, and try to sell it.

jabberwock

July 9th, 2016 at 8:02 AM ^

I've only had a couple & never made more than a couple hundred $, it all  depends on how much youre selling and what kind of stuff you've got.

However , I LOVE going to garage sales, especially with my kids.  They get to meet people, haggle for dirt cheap toys, etc.  I'm always on the lookout for bikes, soccer cleats, eclectic furniture, etc.

I used to spend a couple mornings a week in my crowded neighborhood riding bikes with my daughter going from sale to sale.  We could usually hit about 20 in two hrs. (Warren).

Now that we live in the country-ish they are few & far between with no bike access.

sigh.

theytookourjobs

July 9th, 2016 at 8:24 AM ^

You have to check out the US 12 extravaganza.  Runs across the whole state.  I've been going to that for years and it's a riot.  Hundreds of sales.  I believe it's the 2nd weekend in august

pmark1210

July 9th, 2016 at 9:06 AM ^

my brother and I sold our Nintendo and entire catalog of games one summer. was time to upgrade to the play station. mom and dad said they would cover the difference from what we made. at the time, great idea. now? man I wish we still had that Nintendo and those games!

SagNasty

July 9th, 2016 at 9:13 AM ^

In April my town has "walleye fest" and there are garage sales everywhere. This year we participated and sold everything we could find that was just taking up space. We made just under $1k in 2.5 days. People love to buy junk and if you price it low enough they can't walk away. Whatever we didn't sell we packed up and donated. Great way to get rid of all the junk and clutter.



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HateSparty

July 9th, 2016 at 9:13 AM ^

Had our first this year after determining no more kids for us. 44 is too old for more. Sold all kinds of girl clothes. Dresses I paid $40-50 were sold for $2-5. It made me ill. We made $840 but still am done a few grand, it feels.



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Goggles Paisano

July 9th, 2016 at 9:31 AM ^

Had a couple over the last 8 years. Made about $500 each time.  Sold mostly kid stuff (crib, car seats, changing table, strollers, toys, clothes, etc).  Had a lot of golf clubs and lots of drivers most of which did not sell - that was most surprising to me.  

You will learn how very cheap most of the garage sale shopper are.  By the end of the day you will be happy to just give the stuff away to get it out of your house.  

Mabel Pines

July 9th, 2016 at 9:42 AM ^

My mom had all kinds of unopened (some opened) old spices.  I was mortified that she attempted to sell them.  But they sold like hotcakes!  Also my friend sold some old SIPPY CUPS.  and I've seen kids underwear being sold down the street (actual people buying them).  The weirdest thing I've discovered they love are old Yankee candles.  I guess people want to try new scents?? 

Also-  Good luck today.  Two tips- The weirdos come out around 4 and happy hour starts at 3.  

MAccLA

July 9th, 2016 at 9:37 AM ^

I'll tell you in a few hours. My wife and I are having a garage sale this morning, as we are selling the house in SoCal and moving back to Michigan.