Garage sale things that annoy me....

[jackal]

I get annoyed when I am having a sale and people ask if they can try things on in your house. I don't want people in my house trying things on that are being sold for $1.00 and I am outside trying to run the sale. Or if they ask if their children can use my bathroom. I don't think any stranger should ask to go in your house for any reason at a rummage sale. Every year though, I get a few people that ask though

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

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.

 

[maddhatir]

I get annoyed when I am having a sale and people ask if they can try things on in your house. I don't want people in my house trying things on that are being sold for $1.00 and I am outside trying to run the sale. Or if they ask if their children can use my bathroom. I don't think any stranger should ask to go in your house for any reason at a rummage sale. Every year though, I get a few people that ask though

Get this! I was having a yard sale and my MIL was there. She got to talking to this random woman and she offered her A CUP OF COFFEE from my house- from one of my mugs! She had no idea who this woman was!

She kept telling me to go and get her coffee. Of course, I just stood there and looked at her like she was crazy.

The woman was so embarrased b/c my MIL kept insisting. WTH!!?

And no, I did not go and get the woman coffee! She didn't even want it!

 

[connorlevismom]

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.

I wanted to clarify since I am one that is annoyed with other people kids in the way. What I mean by that is kids riding bikes or roller blading IN the garage and driveway where people are trying to look at items. I don't care if kids are there, I just don't want to have to worry about getting run over by them while I am trying to shop.

I get annoyed when I am having a sale and people ask if they can try things on in your house. I don't want people in my house trying things on that are being sold for $1.00 and I am outside trying to run the sale. Or if they ask if their children can use my bathroom. I don't think any stranger should ask to go in your house for any reason at a rummage sale. Every year though, I get a few people that ask though

I have this every year at my sale too! Thankfully there are always a couple people working the sale so we do let people try something on if they must. One person will just go in with them and wait for them to come out. No way would I let someone in my house without me being in there.

Kristine

 

[HerdOHuds]

I just had a sale with 3 other families where we have 9 children altogether. Here are MY gripes about the people who come to garage sales.

Don't try to haggle after I have already given you a price. I already haggled once, not doin' it again.

Don't distract me so that your kid can walk out with a toy. Good Lord people! It is a garage sale! I don't get why someone would STEAL from it!

At 6 AM when we weren't open until 7, don't try and haggle about anything. Though you don't want to pay $3 for it, someone, before we close, probably will.

Learn to use strollers. Children who are allowed to run loose are not my responsibility.

I feel much better now.

 

[seashoreCM]

This one annoys me.
Inadequate signs. Also a street name in fine print is a bad idea. When I come up to an intersection and there is a "yard sale" sign with just a hard to read something like "12 Chestnut St.", I have no idea where Chestnut Street is.

>>> odd electronical (sic) components
Today's dime-a-dozen -- Used AM-FM-cassettes from a car. (Also those without tape playing capability)

>>> coat hangers 20 for a buck
The seller wants to make sure you don't throw them away which the seller was thinking of doing himself.

>>> moldy jigsaw puzzles
Yes I saw a jigsaw puzzle missing its box but in a plastic bag and the inside of the bag had condensation on it.

>>> kids selling lemonade
The table with food items like brownies needs to be in the shade. Items in plastic bags, when in the sun, tend to exude moisture that makes them soggy. (See, also, preceding paragraph.)

>>> She kept telling [me] to go and get her coffee.
She didn't like the coffee your MIL already got for her from your house using one of your mugs?

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[Kit'smommy]

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!

Sorry, but this one made me laugh. I recently sold a pair of Pottery Barn barstools with backs, rush seats, queen anne style legs that made our breakfast room too crowded. I paid about $300 for them a few years ago and they were in perfect condition and were from a very popular collection.

They had a large tag tied to them stating "Pottery Barn $30 each or $50 pair - price firm." I can't tell you how many people were really rude about them. Really, if you don't want them at the price marked, move on. There is no reason to tell me you just paid $5 a piece for two dilapidated stools you bought two doors down and you think mine are too expensive. I would honestly rather donate some things than get basically get nothing.

Anyway, after about 2 hours of telling people that I wouldn't take less, I had two different people come up excitedly looking at the chairs. They each ended up taking one at $30 each. Turns out they both needed to replace one damaged one from their sets and were thrilled at the price.

It is one thing to want something cheap, but it is another to expect someone to practically give you a collectible or something really nice that is truly worth more...

 

[maddhatir]

>>> She kept telling [me] to go and get her coffee.
She didn't like the coffee your MIL already got for her from your house using one of your mugs?

Nooo- MIL kept trying to offer it to her. And then MIL was telling ME to go and get it for this woman. I told her no. Actually I said to MIL after I said no- "and would you like her to take my mug with her too?!"

They had a large tag tied to them stating "Pottery Barn $30 each or $50 pair - price firm." I can't tell you how many people were really rude about them. Really, if you don't want them at the price marked, move on. There is no reason to tell me you just paid $5 a piece for two dilapidated stools you bought two doors down and you think mine are too expensive. I would honestly rather donate some things than get basically get nothing.

Anyway, after about 2 hours of telling people that I wouldn't take less, I had two different people come up excitedly looking at the chairs. They each ended up taking one at $30 each. Turns out they both needed to replace one damaged one from their sets and were thrilled at the price.

It is one thing to want something cheap, but it is another to expect someone to practically give you a collectible or something really nice that is truly worth more...

The woman's sign said "Paid $100 will take b/o" I guess after a while my $20 was the b/o.

I do not mind someone telling me the brand- I have picked up things from Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, Pier 1 etc. But honestly- I do not care how much it cost them way back when. I can say most people do not care about that. They want a bargain.

However, if *I* see "price firm" and I do not like the price, I will not even ask someone to go lower. Why waste anyone's time? To me, it is an insult to the seller. However, "make an offer" or "best offer" I will go low and see if they will take it.

Someone mentioned pushy sellers:

I had a woman pushing this baby stroller on me, telling me what brand it was, what she paid for it, that it was still in great condition (it was ugly and dirty), it is the best you can buy, and guess what? This was AFTER I told her I did not have any kids! She was very annoying.

 

[connorlevismom]

I had a woman pushing this baby stroller on me, telling me what brand it was, what she paid for it, that it was still in great condition (it was ugly and dirty), it is the best you can buy, and guess what? This was AFTER I told her I did not have any kids! She was very annoying.

OK - this just made me laugh. Who exactly did she want you to buy it for if you did not have kids?

Kristine

 

[aidtrismommy]

I am annoyed with:

-earlybirds
-other peoples kids ruining my set-up, playing with toys and leaving them a mess
-people wandering into my garage (when the sale is in the driveway) and looking at things that are NOT for sale
-somebody actually came to my house (we were not having a tag sale!) walked into the garage and started looking at things. We asked what she was doing and she apologized but thought we were having a tag sale !!! unbelievable
-my own kids being annoying

 

[maddhatir]

OK - this just made me laugh. Who exactly did she want you to buy it for if you did not have kids?

Kristine

She just kept talking and would not listen to me when I kept saying I did not have kids I guess she really was trying to make a sale! I had to walk away

 

[~Kristina~]

I'm a drive by shopper. Because I have 4 kids, I only go up if something sparks my interest - I'm usually looking for bigger items. If I see something, I'll wait until there is an open spot on either side of the driveway, park, roll my windows down and leave the kids in the car. Before the flaming starts, I only take a quick look and they are in the car by themselves for 2-3 minutes tops. There is no way my kids would NOT touch stuff at a garage sale, imo, it's easier for everyone involved.

 

[cbilton]

I have had several garage sales and have been to many. My beefs:

• unorganized books
• unorganized clothing
• items not priced
• people who haggle ridiculously - an item is fairly marked at $5 or $2 or whatever it is - and they offer you a quarter
• people who describe things for me - I can see thanks
• sellers who don't have change or bags
• sellers who put out junk
• people who offer my daughter a "freebie" from said junk...uhhhh, no thanks.
• people who don't take their road signs down when they close early

 

[maddhatir]

I'm a drive by shopper. Because I have 4 kids, I only go up if something sparks my interest - I'm usually looking for bigger items. If I see something, I'll wait until there is an open spot on either side of the driveway, park, roll my windows down and leave the kids in the car. Before the flaming starts, I only take a quick look and they are in the car by themselves for 2-3 minutes tops. There is no way my kids would NOT touch stuff at a garage sale, imo, it's easier for everyone involved.

I am a "drive-by" yard saler too. Now for me, when I see a lot of toys I keep going. Or I leave MIL and mom in the car alone while I run up and look at something- and before the flaming starts- I only leave them for a few minutes too I would not be surprised if one of them hit the car into drive and took out a few people

OH- speaking of mom and MIL- (they do this all the time) I hate when there is a community yard sale and people walk in the middle of the road! I am always yelling when people do that- you would think MIL and mom would know better!

OR- (sorry- I yard sale almost every weekend- I have lots of pet peeves) someone pulls up AND STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND GETS OUT! This just happened last Saturday. It was a very tiny road. One lane. On a regular day 2 cars would not be able to pass each other. I pull over all the way to the side and this car pulls up and parks, right in the middle of the road. People were trying to get by, the postman was trying to deliver mail- what is wrong with people!?

 

[xipetotec]

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.

Kristine

While I pretty much agree with your other points, this one sounds like good marketing to me hee hee.

 

[Denine]

I am just enjoying reading all your beefs.

I just had a garage sale (my first) last week.

 

[PebblesMK]

I went to a garage sale a few weeks ago. They had baby clothes in perfect condition that were name brand (gymboree, ralph lauren, guess)...they were not marked. I asked the guy how much. He said "25 cents each, 5 for a dollar or throw them all in a bag and I'll give you a price"...so I filled up two bags and he looked at it and said "2.00".... There was a lot of it with tags still on it. That's a sale I will be checking out every year!!!

However, I do have problems with garage sales so I will list them.
1) People who ask if I'll take an insulting amount for something that isn't that expensive. IE: we had a brand new coat of my daughters, a little peacoat from Gymboree that was worn once for a special occasion. I had 5 dollars on it and was offered 25 cents.

2) Certain people who will switch tags. I know that DVD player wasn't marked at 50 cents.

3) People allowing their children to go and play on the swingset, run around the yard, mess with the dog. I once found a little boy in my kitchen looking for food.

4) Thieves!! Even worse when people convince their kids to do their stealing while they distract me.

5) Complaining that the clothes are marked too high at a dollar! Okay, feel free to run to the Boston Store and buy them for 50 dollars.

6) People asking to use the bathroom.

7) Smokers....especially when their ashes fall on the clothes and worse when they throw the butt in my yard!!!! Be considerate please!

8) People who feel the need to park in my driveway....which means driving AROUND the giant sign sitting there to prevent people from parking there.


With all this said, I love to garage sale. And I especially love the little lemonade stands. I usually give the kids 5 dollars and don't ask for change. Heck, I always bake for my garage sales and that's where I make a buttload of money!!! People love some goodies while shopping! I once had a bunch of hardcore looking bikers dressed in black leather pull up, probably about 20 of them...one of their girlfriends had stopped by and said I had the most amazing cookies/brownies/banana bread....so they all came to stock up on snacks. I think I sold about 40 dollars worth to those guys!!!

 

[maddhatir]

With all this said, I love to garage sale. And I especially love the little lemonade stands. I usually give the kids 5 dollars and don't ask for change. Heck, I always bake for my garage sales and that's where I make a buttload of money!!! People love some goodies while shopping! I once had a bunch of hardcore looking bikers dressed in black leather pull up, probably about 20 of them...one of their girlfriends had stopped by and said I had the most amazing cookies/brownies/banana bread....so they all came to stock up on snacks. I think I sold about 40 dollars worth to those guys!!!

I can't say I LOVE the lemonade stands, but they are good to have b/c I do not eat breakfast before I go out- however, I do the same thing. No matter what the kids are selling- I always give them more than they are asking or let them keep the change. I find it funny that I ask the parent to take a lower price, however I give their kids more

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

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.

Sounds like my aunt. She never contributes to "family parties" but insits on taking food home with her. The list goes on for miles if I had the time.

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

So annoying, then they go through your boxes and leave stuff on the ground. Just show up when the time is listed and we will have it all neatly layed out for you.

Finally, STOP STEALING! Like Im not going to notice you walking away from my driveway with the tv I know we dident sell you. Or the people who approached my 13 year old son who was selling his games and tried to short change him. He is better at math then most adults I know so good luck.

Thats why we hold the items for them as they retrieve thier money, that way they cant walk away with it without paying. We also put our chairs at the end of the driveway so they cant pass us without paying.

 

[Tink_Or_Belle]

Having a Garage sale these are the things I hate

1. People who show up at the very beginning with only a $20 to but a quarter item. if you are going to garage sales take some change or small bills


2. I don't want to hold items for you just a couple hours while you go get your money I have done this and it seems people never come back

3. Stop changing prices I know what I mark things

4. do not tell me I am overpriced. just walk away I have a woman who coes early every year and tells me nothing will sell I will be stuck with it all etc etc etc.. but I also have people who know my kids clothes and sizes who don't mind when I charge $2.00 for good jeans and $3.00 for holiday dresses




here is what I did to make myself sane

I stopped taking less on day 1 of a 2 day sale I tell them if its still there the next day I'll make a deal

Stopped taking checks

if my kids sell anything its cans of soda it gives them something to do and its not homemade stuff that COULD get tossed


and I make my mom stay at my house until the one lady who switches stickers like crazy and steals large amounts of stuff leaves... she always shows up really early so mom doesn;t have to stay long