About that yard sale

Apparently last week's everything-for-a-dollar yard sale was a little more taxing than I thought it would be. Meant to post all week and I never did, so here's my quick wrap-up:

1. I was not overwhelmed by customers. There was a nice, well-behaved group when I opened at 8 - maybe 10 people? - and they bought a lot. It helps (or hurts, depending on your perspective) that I live so far out of the way that somebody's got to make an effort to get here. After the opening, there was a steady stream, and one lull where I actually went inside and got coffee.

2. My customers were unfailingly pleasant. Some people I met recently stopped by, and it was great to visit with them. Another woman stopped and we hit it off so well that I've been thinking all week I should give her a call. Not a single person asked if I could do better on a price. People brought small bills and generally had the correct change. It was uncanny.

3. I sold a ton of linens - kitchen towels, doilies, tablecloths, aprons. Most of my Christmas ornaments sold. I did well with sewing notions. salt and pepper shakers and canning jars. I did not sell a single pattern or paint-by-number painting.

4. There were a few things I was just so happy to see go. My collection of blue Mason jars, for example. I kept acquiring them but I could never get around to listing them for sale. They haunted me. Every time I went down to the basement to do the laundry I'd walk by them and think "I really should sell those Mason jars." Now I walk down to the basement to do the laundry and think, "Boy, I really need to clean this basement."

5. Even though I sold lots of stuff, I had lots of stuff left over. I felt my resolve weakening. I wondered about extending the sale a day. I wondered about storing it and getting it out next year for another sale. Then I boxed it all up, crammed it into the car and drove it to the Rescue Mission. Gone. I have a receipt for a nice tax deduction, the feeling that a worthy organization will make some money on my junk, and the relief that comes with a house that's undergone a major decluttering.

And I even have a little bit of cash left. Even though both of my children started back to college this week. Remind me in my next life to be a college textbook publisher, because there's some real money in that racket.

 

 

Comments

[Lavender Dreams]

I'm so happy for you...I know it wasn't easy to get rid of these treasures! But now you're free to find MORE! Happy weekend!

[Renee]

Hold on while I wipe my tears over the linens that went to others...my loss their gain. Glad to hear it went well. I am afraid I would have overwhelmed you and had to make an offer on it all. Hate when people as me to go lower for heavens sake it is a yard sale. It is already cheap. Recuperate and start on those text books. I will be more than happy to invest in you. The worst part is when you sell them back and they hand you less than five dollars? Smiles...Renee

[chris mckinely]

Sounds like a success to me!! A little cash, less stuff, and a tax detuction? All good!!

chris

[Kathy]

Congratulations on staying strong to the end - no easy feat!

[Linda @ A La Carte]

Yay for a great sale and your resolve. I think that would be the hardest part for me, taking it all to the thrift. Still I've been decluttering and taking things to a thrift shop but keeping a large amount for a 'yard sale' of my own. Time will tell if I can really get rid of it all!

[freckledhen]

An oodles yard sale? That is like a dream! Congrats on the decluttering and I hear ya on the textbooks--I've got two in college, as well. One of my girls actually works in a textbook store and it doesn't help much!

[laurie magpie ethel]

Don't get me started on the college textbook scheme..the highest priced books out there! Glad the sale was successful and always nice to say good by to certain items...still I wish I could have shopped at your sale.

[Sue G]

Congratulations, glad it went so well.

[jnoman@charter.net]

Well I WOULD have been there and I WOULD have bought some paint by numbers and while I WOULD have been nice to you I might have had to tackle to the ground some of those folks buying linen and such...ah well (appreciate no photos posted that would have caused pain, grief and sleepless nights wondering what we missed for those unable to attend). LOL. J

[Kim Kenward]

Many of your favorite blogging friends would have been there in a heartbeat. Sounds like a successful day overall. I work at a University and I couldn't agree more with the price of textbooks. Absolutely ridiculous! Happy weekend!

[Vicki]

Someday Barbara! Someday the twins will have the stamina to make it past Seneca Lake. It sounds wonderful though. I love those blue jars too. I am decluttering this fall. 5 items per day, from the basement to the trash or donation bag, that's my goal.

[Into Vintage]

I'm not going to lie -- it still stings a little to have missed out on all the vintage Christmas but I too am in a declutter mode (except for vintage Christmas) after being in an acquistion holding pattern for far too long. My yard sale will be nowhere as lovely as yours but it must be done. Soonish.

And I have those exact same flowers growing on my deck railing.

[Lisa W.]

I am glad it was an enjoyable experience for you ! I think that you should definitely do it again sometime ..... and hopefully I will be able to make it to that one !

[Amy]

Glad your sale went well. Also, AMEN on the textbook comment. I once paid over $300 for a used engineering book (my son). I can't imagine what it went for new.

[evie]

Hi thank you for posting this pattern http://oodlesandoodles.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/03/honey-does-this-pattern-make-my-butt-look-big.html I made 2 dresses for dawn and barbie / the barbie dress is at this link https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/100850560095049791672/albums/5790267198951310721/5790268772980912978