Some pics of my latest lawn sale

[debodun]

Last Saturday, I had a lawn sale (not grass or sod, I put things on tables out on the lawn and on the porch and try to sell them). It was also our town-wide garage sale day. I can tell you it wasn't worth the effort - two days getting ready. It's not only setting up tables and putting things on them, but I have to mow the lawn, trim the hedge and vacuum and dust indoors for the items that are too large or bulky to carry outside, then packing up afterwards. I sold, less than $70. A lot of work for an old lady! I don't know what people are looking for these days, but apparently I don't have it or they aren't willing to pay a fair market price. I inherited a houseful of quasi-antiques, art and household items, vintage glassware and pottery and I research it to know what a fair value is. Here are a few photos of my tables:

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

People who go to garage, yard, etc. sales are expecting (and usually get) rock bottom bargain prices and couldn't care less about fair market values. You might have better luck hiring an estate sale broker, or consigning or selling your antiques to an antique dealer (not an antique mall, those just rent display space to you). An estate sale broker knows how to bring in buyers that are interested in what you have and know the value of it. My sister used one when we needed to liquidate my parents belongings after they had to be put into a home.

 

[debodun]

I tried an estate liquidator. She had too many rules and conditions I didn't like.



To me, if something is worth $10, it should be worth that whether it's in an antique shop or a garage sale.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I tried an estate liquidator. She had too many rules and conditions I didn't like.



To me, if something is worth $10, it should be worth that whether it's in an antique shop or a garage sale.

I agree but that's the way the world works.

 

[BruceK]

I agree but that's the way the world works.

You are correct. That is how the world works.

I've had to liquidate both my brother's and my dad's belongings after they passed away. It was sad, and I also thought that should get fair market price. But it turns out that not many want all of our old stuff. Garage sales don't work well for estates. An auction house is the best. They will come and take away all you junk. They will advertise it with other peoples junk, to people who are known to buy at auctions. It may take a couple of months, but it works. The auction usually takes 30% on small lots, and less on larger lots. I got about $4000 for my brother's stuff, and $7000 for my dad's stuff. And I didn't have to do a thing.

 

[file3456]

The very best yard sale I've ever been to was the one that had flight Sim yoke and pedals for only $25 bucks! I couldn't believe it because each sells for over $200. Thought they were broken, but I said what the heck and bought them anyway. When I did the guy was saying something to his wife like "thank God those are gone." I was then convinced I bought lemons for $25. I came home, plugged them in and would you believe they worked! couldn't believe my luck. I saved roughly 400 smackers! LOL!

They look like this:

I also have a picture of my setup in my profile.

 

[file3456]

I like eBay my self. But they made it hard for the seller anymore and then PayPal gives a buyer a virtual six month warranty. When that new policy rolled out I signed a petition for antique sellers to have them excluded. Not sure if that went through or not. And here I thought PayPal's prior refunds policy of 45 days was bad. Six months is a little too extreme. But I have read now that PayPal is going bye bye from eBay usage in place of some European online escrow service. So who knows what their polices will be. I for one liked the fact PayPal was based in the U.S. I'm a little reluctant to do purchases and what not with an overseas company.

But I gotta tell you. I have found that eBay in a lot of cases has a better deal on things than Amazon. Especially if you don't have Crime, *cough* I mean Prime. I simply don't buy enough crap on Amazon to merit Prime. I'm always on eBay and a lot of stuff is with free shipping. No buying into some rewards program at all needed. The only issues are if you get a deadbeat seller or they take forever to ship which has happened to me more times than not. For the most part I'm a happy camper. LOL

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Fleabay isn't the great place it used to be. It's loaded with Chinese arbitrageurs, Chinese crooks, and Amazon fulfilled Marketplace vendors advertising on Fleabay without disclosing that Amazon will be filling the order and shipping it (besides the fact it would have been cheaper to buy directly from Amazon, I had so much trouble with Amazon filling orders wrong, poorly packaging the orders, and mishandling them during shipment, I've been boycotting Amazon except for e-books). I do not do nearly as much shopping on Fleabay as I used to. It's now my last place to go to find things.

 

[file3456]

Well, I haven't had any trouble. You may if your a seller though.