Garage sale things that annoy me....

[connorlevismom]

Maybe it is because I am pregnant but there are some things at garage sales that just annoy me for some reason. What about you?

I do not like it when the people follow you around telling you about every item you pick up. If I have a question, I will ask.

Why do the people running the garage sale let their kids run all over the garage while your trying to look? I have been to a number of them just last weekend where the kids were roller skating or biking in the garage while people are trying to look. Most people would leave because they are annoyed.

Kids selling lemonade or cookies at the end of the driveway. How are you supposed to walk past a child selling something and not stop? I always feel so bad so I end up buying things and then I end up with all this lemonade that I wont drink.


Those are my top ones right now. What about you? What annoys you about garage sales?

Kristine

 

[tr-ray]

Dirty stuff.

 

[mom2faith]

I hate prices that are not marked - give me at least an idea what you want for it!!

I let DD sell lemonade - it is her Disney Spending money and she is proud. It was a chance for her to understand money and work - and a lot of people just walked by. It did not bother her or me when they did. Never feel pressured, it is a part of the child's learning curve.

 

[adventure_woman]

When things are not priced.

I was at a garage sale a couple of weekends ago. This lady had a whole table of nice girl clothes. I asked her how much - (assuming that they were all $.50 or 1.00 each). NOPE - She actually said "It depends on each item" ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! So, I have to ask you how much EACH ITEM IS?!?!? I left, I couldn't believe it, I probably would have bought stuff too.

 

[connorlevismom]

When things are not priced.

I was at a garage sale a couple of weekends ago. This lady had a whole table of nice girl clothes. I asked her how much - (assuming that they were all $.50 or 1.00 each). NOPE - She actually said "It depends on each item" ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! So, I have to ask you how much EACH ITEM IS?!?!? I left, I couldn't believe it, I probably would have bought stuff too.

If it depends on each item then price them out! WTH?

Kristine

 

[krystalleigh1]

ITA prices not being marked bugs me.

Also, people who overprice their stuff majorly. Most garage sales around here I can get cute girl clothes for around $1/piece. But when people price them at $4-$5 per piece there's no way I'm buying it when I can just go down the street and get the same thing for $1.

Also, when the seller follows you around and asks what you're looking for then proceeds to show you everything and give you long stories or explainations about the items.

 

[surfergirl602]

This one lady was selling some fabric, and there weren't any prices. When I asked she told me that it depended on the fabric and how much I wanted of it. Like I brought my yard stick with me, right? Walked away.

 

[ktlm]

I love the cute little Lemonade stands on the driveways! I think some of the people who follow you around and talk about the items are just still attached to the items and are having a hard time letting go. I do agree that everything should have prices stuck on.

 

[connorlevismom]

I love the cute little Lemonade stands on the driveways! I think some of the people who follow you around and talk about the items are just still attached to the items and are having a hard time letting go. I do agree that everything should have prices stuck on.

I think they are adorable...but I just always feel bad walking by and end up buying some. There is only so much lemonade one can drink! Especially pregnant, I cannot be drinking and garage saling at the same time. Makes for a potty emergency.

Kristine

 

[DisneyNic]

Underwear.

Seriously, do no sell your underwear at a garage sale. That is just nasty.

 

[Julylady]

On the flip side, I don't like it when I price items very cheap like 10 cents and then people offer me 5 cents for it. I don't like to haggle with people. I wanted to make a sign that said, "Prices are firm" but my sister wouldn't let me. The funny thing is its not at all about the money. I gave a lot of stuff away to kids who wanted things and their Mom said "no." I was just happy to get rid of it! And, after the sale, I donated everything left over to a mission.

I just didn't like it when people were so cheap that they tried to pay less for every single item.

 

[Dani C]

Just a few of my thoughts:
1. If it is broken or worn out, please throw it away rather than trying to sell it.
2. Please don't cover stains or spots with price stickers.
3. Please price your items.
4. Please organize things a bit. (Clothing should be sorted by sizes, gender, etc.)
5. Please put the days and times on the signs, and also remember to take them down when it is over.
6. If possible, please keep small children away from the sale. (If your child is crying that you are selling her toys, I will not be buying from you.)
7. Please keep your family pets away from the sale. (Some of us have allergies and some people are afraid of, or just don't like, them.)
8. Please do not use foul language or listen to explicit music while having a sale. (Small children repeat things at the worst possible times.)
9. Please do not smoke at the sale. (Again, some people do have allergies.)

 

[LoveDopey]

People that try to sell things you know they got free as a give away or promotional item. I once saw a lady selling wire clothes hangars from the dry cleaners -- 10 for $2.00.

 

[NJFabFour]

As a mom of multiples who has participated (as both buyer and seller) in numerous rummage sales AND hosted several garage sales of my own . . . I have some annoyances, particularly on behalf of the sellers/hosts.
- I agree with pp's that prices should always be stated. My items are always priced individually or marked as a general pricing scheme (such as "All pj's $1.") While it's true that some sellers overprice and I never mind a little bit of haggling (such as "Will you take $10?" for a stack of items totalling $12), do not ask me (as one woman actually did) if you can give me $2 for a bagful of nice clothing.
- What about the buyers who bring their small children, let them play with everything, make a mess of everything, and buy nothing?! Talk about annoying!
- Sellers following you?? I've never seen that BUT I HAVE been hounded for 30 - 60 minutes by some buyers who ask endless questions about a $1 item and stand there debating their purchase over and over and over, only to walk away!
- If you're attending a garage sale at someone's home, I'm not sure I understand why you'd be annoyed by their own children being involved with the sale. I agree with pp's that a lemonade stand is an awesome way for children to participate and learn the value of earning some money to save. My DS was thrilled when he got to show off his Pokemon card collection to another little boy who wanted to buy them and ended up deciding the little boy could just have them! While some children may be a little unruly, it's THEIR HOME, not yours, so if you're annoyed, politely walk away. The only one who would be bothered is you.

 

[maddhatir]

I hate when people tell you where and HOW MUCH they paid for the item originally.

I do not care! You put it out to sell and I want it cheap!

A few weeks ago I bought a really nice folding plant stand. The woman had to put a sign on it telling everyone where she bought it (if I remember correctly, it was Crate and Barrel) and that the original price was $100. I got it for $20, but I did not need to know the "history" of the item.

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

1) things that are not marked
2) people's big scary dogs hanging around or walking up to me
3) people who smoke
4) high prices
5) stained items
6) kids running around getting in the way
7) the seller following me around

That's all I can think of right now.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I have a rack of items I save for our kids' consignment sale. They're all name brand, pressed, mended (if needed), great condition items. A lady asked if she could look at them (I don't put them out at sales, but they're in the garage), and I said sure, but they are priced quite a bit higher than the clothes outside (which are $1 or less, mostly less) due to the fact that I was getting ready for JBF. She looked at the tags, asked if it was the "real price," laughed and walked out. I asked what she thought was funny, and she said no one would pay those prices for used clothes. Even better, I sold almost the entire rack at the consignment sale!! I think I brought two outfits home out of, oh, 70 or so.

So, it bugs me when people complain about prices. I'm not forcing you to buy it. If you want to haggle, sure, but don't whine about paying a buck for a new pair of jeans. Ask me to lower the price. If I don't, cough up a dollar or walk away.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

advertisements for "huge multi family yard sales, something for everyone" that end up being 3 card tables with dollar store baskets, odd electronical components, moldy jigsaw puzzles on a particle board bookcase with a broken shelf.

I understand "one man's trash" and all, but drives me nuts when stuff should be just thrown out.

 

[McRed]

What annoys me is when we have a yard sale that starts at 7am, and people start showing up at 6am.

 

[~Kristina~]

I get annoyed with "junk" sales. Ya know, like barbies missing feet or heads, or items missing essential pieces.