So Disappointed!

[Spirit Feather]

We had our big two-households-merging-into-one yard sale this weekend. When I take into account the cost of the ad, the amount of money spent eating out because I was too busy to cook and the 10% of sales I gave my 13 y/o for all the work she did, I think I made about $40.

We had a ton of great stuff and it was so cheap! I didn't want to carry anything back into the house and I didn't want to box up too much to take to the Goodwill store.

I worked so hard and I am so disappointed!

 

[tink2dw]

Try again next week end!!

 

[bethie]

I am so sorry. Having a garage sale is amazingly hard work! I was so surprised when I had one awhile back how much time I spent planning and organizing. Then, when I counted my loot, it was next to nothing. It is almost easier to donate and write it off on your taxes.

 

[Spirit Feather]

My hubby was trying to cheer me by telling me that a person can only have one great yard sale in every 12 month period. The last one made a bundle (nearly $800!). We used the proceeds from the last sale to move from Charlotte, NC to Cincinnati, OH. I was hoping to use the proceeds from this one to pay at least half of our hotel for the next trip.

Since everything was set up in the garage, I was all for having it again next weekend. Since my in-laws like to park in the garage, they were not to keen on it, so everything was boxed up.

*sigh*

 

[travelitis]

Sorry to hear that! My kids always want garage sales, and I don't for that very reason. Yet, here we are boxing stuff and labeling it "garage sale". I'd rather donate stuff directly to people I know need it than drop it at Goodwill. I figure I'm helping someone else more than the little bit of cash from that item would help me. However, Goodwill is still better than sacrificing all that time for such low pay.

Another thought is Ebay. While many things are not great for Ebay, perhaps you have some items that are.

Maybe try it another weekend with lots of signs but forgoing the expense of the ad.

 

[eeyore0062]

We are having a big garage sale next spring before we move. We will put up signs, but not advertise in the paper. We have quite a bit of stuff for sale... furniture, kids clothing, toys, books, etc. We just don't want to take it for the interstate move.

I figure whatever we make is gravy, and whatever we don't sell we will donate... everyone wins. It is all in the outlook!

 

[PatriciaH]

That stinks! On our past 3 garage sales we have made at least $400 (each time.) It is worth the time and anoyance for us. Before this last sale I have been selling some things on Ebay though and that has made over $300!

 

[Barb D]

We did a little better...we made $125. But we barely scratched the surface of all the great stuff we had. We did box it all up, and Salvation Army came and picked it all up.

Don't forget the Swap to sell your homeschool stuff! http://www.theswap.com

 

[Spirit Feather]

I haven't made it that far yet! I usually do not let the kids write in the consumable workbooks or anything so I can re-sell them. Most of that curriculum isn't cheap and much of the time we purchase something and find that we do not like it or that it does not meet our needs and I end up at the library making up my own stuff.

Maybe one day I will catch a clue and just start at the library and save myself some time and money!

 

[pizzap]

The last time I had a yard sale (3 years ago) it was a total bomb! I had two families show up and that was it!! So I do something different now. There is a consignment shop in town that takes ANYTHING, so when I come across something i don't want anymore, DH just drops it off. The downside is you don't get the money for your stuff right away, but the good thing is, when it's the end of the month and there's no money left in the bank, DH stops by the consignment shop and ususally gets a few bucks. I also don't have to figure out where to store all the stuff I want to sell at a yard sale.
A few months ago we cleaned out all the kids toys to take there and the kids were sooo bumbed because they just want to keep everything forever. But then I told them that any money they made would be for them to spend at Disney. Well, they loved that idea! They've even made more $$ than DH and I !

 

[Kimkimba]

We're having a yard (moving) sale on Saturday - hope I make out a little better. But I'm selling stuff at the yard sale that I wouldn't sell on Ebay. Heavier stuff, real inexpensive items. As I was going through my son's too small clothing, I realized I will do better selling it on Ebay in October - I'll probably make about $200 off the clothing. I'm hoping to make $300 - $400. More will be awesome. Less will be disappointing.

 

[patsal]

It can be very depressing when all that time and effort goes into something that yields so little a reward. garage sales in my neighborhood never do well for me. I'm lucky when I clear the ad. This year I made about $100. after the ad, but with all I had to offer, and all the time I put in it was quite a disappointment. I'm not sure I'd do another one!

 

[AKASnowWhite]

I have been very resistant to the idea of having a tag/garage sale. My kids keep begging (go figure - THEY are the ones who want to get rid of stuff ) so I've finally caved in. We are going to wait until spring though, and I figure that if I spend just 20-30 mins once or twice a week going thru a closet or cabinet, by the end of the winter I'll have my items sorted and ready to go! Hopefully we'll have a few good items to draw people in with....but mostly I'm of the mindset that I just want to move the stuff out!

We've been in this house for almost 7 years, which is the longest DH and I have been in one place since we got married. It's time to clean out! I think frequent moves can help to prevent the build-up of excess *stuff*!!!

 

[denisenh]

I had a yard sale a couple of years ago. I didn't advertise and only a few people came. I sold one item. It was a small table cloth? (I never knew what it was) fairly old but in great shape with Mickey Mouse on it. It belonged to my great great aunt. It was in with a stack of calendar towels. A lady grabbed it paid and ran. My guess is that it was worth more than 50 cents that she paid for it.
I'll hang on to the metal serving tray with Mickeys pic on it that also belonged to my great great aunt.

 

[Jeanny]

we're having a yard sale this weekend... Actually it's at my Aunt's house. She insisted on having starting it today, Friday and continuing it tomorrow, Saturday and "if" anything is left and it's nice out Sunday, she'll continue it on Sunday.

The weather report is rain Saturday night and thunderstorms on Sunday.

The good news is I made $21 today... that's $21 more than I had this morning. So that's almost one dinner during vacation!