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Garage Sale Etiquette

I have no shame in the fact that we are bargain shoppers.  In fact, I would say it is a bit of a "shared passion" between Ian and myself.

So it is no surprise that garage sales are sometimes a source of entertainment for us.  Haley has been a bit of a game changer.  The need and want to garage sale has increased, while the ease of garage sale shopping has decreased.  Simply getting her in and out of the car is a pain.  Not to mention, Haley wants to touch and look and play with EVERYTHING, but can't.  I do find it humorous that she looks around stating, "2 dollars, 2 dollars, 2 dollars".  Which I have NO idea where she got that.

Anyways, we did some shopping today--with success.  Got some great clothing for the kids, an awesome floor puzzle, and some decor things.  But today got me thinking about Garage Sale Etiquette.

Now, etiquette is something our society lacks in general.  I am truly becoming a cynical person who hates most people:

Kinda like Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino (Warning: Offensive Language)


Anyways, so I was inspired to give my rendition of Garage Sale Etiquette,

Etiquette for Garage Sale Host:

  1. Advertise merchandise clearly and spell things correctly on your signs.  
  2. Advertise date and times, and actually be open during those times. (Take down old signs)
  3. Don't over price the junk you over paid for.  It is a garage sale, not ebay.  There is no way I am going to pay $30 for a dirty pair of toddler UGG boots.   Be realistic.  If you really think your shit is that great, skip the garage sale and stick to ebay, where people are actually looking for those items and are willing to pay a reasonable penny for EUC items.  Otherwise, join reality and price things to move.
  4. Price everything clearly.  I don't want to have to ask you what you are asking for something.
  5. If your selling something broken or damaged, you should label that clearly next to the price.  
  6. Organize your crap so people don't have to dig.
  7. Smile and say SOMETHING nice as people are coming and going.
  8. Don't get bent out of shape when people try to bargain with you--it is a garage sale, it is what people do.  Especially if a person is buying a lot of things from you.  If their total comes to 22.50--let them go for $20 and make everyone's lives easier.
  9. Don't be too pushy.  I can look for myself.  I don't mind if you point certain things out you think I might like, but I don't need you standing next to me showing me every item of baby girl clothing.  
  10. Don't mistake junk that should be donated or thrown away as valuable garage sale items to be sold (no one wants to buy your used triple D bras...mk)
Etiquette for Shoppers
  1. Don't be an early bird.  Respect the times posted.
  2. Bargain if you must--but be reasonable.   ( I almost never haggle pricing unless I am trying to round something off to make it easier for payment)
  3. If you going through items (like clothing), try to keep the piles neat.  The seller hopefully took time to organize, so keep it that way for the shoppers behind you.
  4. Don't ask to use their restroom. (I saw that happen and I couldn't help but watch my jaw drop.
  5. Don't block traffic or driveways.  Don't impede the flow of traffic.
  6. Leave the pets at home.
I think that pretty much sums it up.  I saw some interesting things that just make me shake my head.  But I suppose that is part of the entertainment of it all.



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