Friday, May 30, 2008

Friday Five: Garage Sale!

From Revgals Songbird and will smama, we get a Friday Five about garage sales!
1) Are you a garage saler?

Not really ~ I am allergic to clutter, and going to garage sales causes my symptoms to flare up. I don't mind browsing just to see what's there, but I very rarely buy anything. We have a very large rummage sale at our church every year, and on occasion I'll pick up a cross-stitch pattern or piece of jewelry there.

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

For the little buying that I do, I'm probably an immediate buyer. If I want it enough to buy it at all, I'm not likely to wait around for it.

3) Seriously, if you're not a garage saler, you are probably not going to want to play this one.
(That wasn't really #3.)
3) This is the real #3: What's the best treasure you've found at a yard or garage sale?

Maternal Unit and I found a watch at a garage sale when I was quite young, and the person running the garage sale did not feel comfortable selling it because she had found it, so she was just giving it away. It was solid gold, with real diamonds on the face.

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

I've never held one of my own, but I've helped out on occasion with the church rummage sale. I think it's worth the effort; the church makes reasonably good money off the sale, and the preparation is a good chance for the volunteers to spend time together and build community.

5) Can you bring yourself to haggle?

Meh... I suppose I would if I really felt strongly enough about something, but I'm more likely to just walk away if I don't want to pay the listed price.

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

I haven't actually ever thought about this until just now, but I suppose that these websites have changed the face of garage sales, both for the sellers, who may be more inclined to sell items of value online than out of their garage, and for the buyers, who might be cruising for things they themselves can sell online. How interesting...

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Church yard sales can be a great community-builder, if enough people help!

Sally said...

allergic to clutter, now there is an allergy I'd like! well played

Identity Mixed said...

I'm anti-clutter too. So bad in fact that I can't hold on to stuff for a year to wait for our annual community yard sale. I always take it to the Salvation Army if it can't be Ebayed. Once I decide I no longer need it, I want it GONE!