Whether you call them yard sales, tag sales, garage or rummage sales, they are still the same thing; a way to get rid of things we no longer want but hope someone else does. I LOVE yard sales. I love the thrill of the unknown, the anticipation of finding yet another hand painted, funky, chair, for my breakfast room or a Little Tikes castle for Gracie and Luke. On the downside, the last couple yard sale seasons have found me less enthralled for a couple of reasons; less selection and higher prices. I blame Ebay and Consignment Sales.
Used to be if one didn’t want to have a yard sale, they had few options for unloading their unwanted goods. They donated to charity, pawned it off on their grown children, threw it in the garbage, or just piled it up in the attic. But the times -they have changed. Now, not only are there other options that involve lots less work than a yard sale, but they’re actually lucrative options. Aunt Betty’s figured out she can post her 220 pieces of Fiesta dishes on Ebay and get more than the dime apiece she’d get in a yardsale after she let herself be talked down from the quarter she’d priced them at that morning. And if she’s not computer savvy or just doesn’t want to deal with potential buyers, or the packing and shipping headaches involved, she’s got consignment stores willing to do everything for her. All she’s gotta do is wash them up, drop them off, and wait for the check. The bonus is that she’s barely lifted a finger compared to the hassles of doing a rummage sale. No advertising costs, no signs to make, no stickers, no pricing, no sweating it out on a lawn chair while strangers paw through her stuff and offer her even less than her cheap sticker prices. Not a bad deal for her, huh?
While sellers make out as well or better in most cases, those of us who love ”yardsaling” are left holding empty bags much of the time. Either because the selection is not so great or the price is too great. Still, even with Ebay and consignment stores skimming much of the cream, there’s been lots of goodies for seasoned yard sale shoppers these last few seasons – if they were to look hard enough and drive far enough on a Saturday morning. But,with gas prices where they are now, wonder how that’s gonna play out this yard sale season?
Since we own a consignment store one might say we’re “in the catbird’s seat” now. While I suppose that’s true and I am grateful for all the truly wonderful and unique treasures people consign with us, I have to admit it; I am really gonna miss the hunt this year. The combination of fewer truly great finds and the ever-increasing price of gas means I just can’t afford the luxury of yard sales anymore. This means I really have to thank the good Lord for our store and the steady stream of fabulous designer clothes and household decor that comes through the doors. I may not get the thrill of going out and hunting it down anymore, but I do get the thrill of eagerly anticipating the unknown every day. Who knows what treasures from what part of the world will come through our doors today? There’s actually one benefit of higher gas prices; more people are bringing even more treasures to us now. Having to fill up the tank is pretty good motivation to clean out their closets and attics. Check us out at www.athenschanges.com
