If you've ever left a comment that said something along the lines of "Can I come to a garage sale with you?" or "Boy, you sure have great sales where you live!" this post is for you! Today I'm inviting you to travel the route I did this morning - minus the crowds, the travel time and the wear and tear on your car! Ready?
Our adventure actually began Thursday night, with a careful reading of the classifieds from two newspapers and a weekly publication. I'll provide the actual advertisement, occasionally edited for space, and with correct spelling, followed by the actual sale experience.
Sale #1: "Large antiques, collectibles ... books, craft goods, knick knacks ... 25 years of stuff."
Among the items we found for sale: A set of six used placemats for $8, out-of-fashion ladies' suits for $25, a nightstand in need of refinishing for $80, unidentifiable knick knacks $5.
What we bought: Nothing.
Lesson: Junk that comes from upscale neighborhoods apparently is worth much more than we'd think.
Sale #2: "5 family sale. No early birds. Antiques, baby stuff, tools, couch, microwave, TV, electronics, too much to list."
Among the items we found for sale: Nothing but toys. Toys, toys, toys. Oh, wait: does a used Pack-n-Play qualify as an antique?
What we bought: Nothing.
Lesson: 'Too much to list' is always, always, always a bad sign.
Sale #3: Estate/moving sale. Cash only. Something for everyone.
Among the items we found: A very large collection of swords. Did not stay long enough to see what else might have been there. Tip-off that this was a bad sale: Tyvek instead of siding, particleboard porch, heavy equipment and what appeared to be an asphalt dump in the yard.
What we bought: Nothing.
Lesson: "Something for everyone" always a bad sign, though not nearly as bad a sign as an asphalt dump.
Sale #4: Fishing equipment, porcelain dolls, furniture, new and used clothes, curtains, knick knacks and lots more.
Among the items we found: None, because some people who might have been extras in the movie "Deliverance" were sprawled on the front steps. A drive-by.
Sale #5: Storage unit ... plenty of antiques, pottery, dishes, art work, remnants of dealer shop.
Among the items we found: A "Roseville" vase with a $42 price tag and the words "Might be repro."
What we bought: Nothing.
Lesson: First experience with sale at storage unit facility. A little scary, since the place seemed largely abandoned. Probably final experience with storage unit sale.
We went to four other sales, too. They were so bad there was nothing interesting to complain about.
The pictures are pages from a children's songbook. I'm trying to set up another Etsy shop to sell some of the paper I accumulated last year for no apparent reason ... I'll let you know how that goes. Meanwhile, it's time to map out Saturday's route, and it is pretty difficult to work up the proper enthusiasm for that.
Oh, you're funny! These ads sound exactly like my town (and usually the results are the same too). I only went to one sale this morning, it was on my way to where I had to be, and it was a good one. I think it's all luck, I just stay away from the ones that advertise toys and kids clothes, as my husband says "they're going to be the same age as us and have the same **** as us"! And are you curiuos what I got? Beautiful antique sewing rocker, $5.00!
Posted by: Lisa | July 17, 2009 at 06:23 PM
Geez, too bad as they sounded so promising. Better luck tomorrow.
Posted by: Kim | July 17, 2009 at 07:03 PM
Your sales sound more interesting than the ones I found today. I ended up giving up and hitting the antique shops, that was better (but costs more)
Posted by: karla nathan | July 17, 2009 at 07:10 PM
Cue the dueling banjos.
Posted by: Linda | July 17, 2009 at 07:39 PM
You always make me laugh. I have been to more than one deliverance sale myself, also always a drive by.
Posted by: Sarah | July 17, 2009 at 07:48 PM
LOL! So, I'm not the only one? I couldn't believe I hauled my behind outta bed early this morning for the disgusting crap I came across today! Examples: linens = semi-folded tumbling stacks of extremely used ugly bath towels, antiques = hasn't been dusted in 16 years and this from a large home in a very upscale neighborhood. Struck out at 3 others and the Goodwill as well today! However, did unearth some great little finds at a local antique mall. I'm leary of trying again tomorrow too!
Posted by: Tammy in Louisville | July 17, 2009 at 07:54 PM
THANKS for the run down... I was planning on checking out the storage unit sale!! I guess I can skip that! The 'Jumble' will probably take up my precious morning 'free time' before heading out of town for a family reunion.
Posted by: svelteSTUFF | July 17, 2009 at 09:24 PM
Sorry your thrifting day was so unproductive, but it makes for a humorous blog. I've rafted down the Chattooga River (class IV+ rapids where Deliverance was filmed) a couple of times and I must say that thrifting can give me a similar adrenaline rush, but I wouldn't want to see any kids with banjos!
My daughter got a wild hair and wanted to go out this morning. She was appalled by all the misspelled hand-written signs she came across (a Barbara protege?) but did find a vintage dress and a belt she can wear. I found a "woman's" vintage dress that will eventually be a purse liner, a very cute vintage apron, and a well done oil painting of a gulf coast beach, where my husband went to high school. It was a satisfying day until the daughter freaks out and can take no more. WHERE IS THE HAND SANITIZER??
Posted by: Tina in Duluth | July 17, 2009 at 09:33 PM
I keep saying I'm not going to any more sales, but alas I drag myself out on Fri. I usually come home empty handed or with nothing much to brag about. Sad state of affairs when even yardsaling sucks.
Posted by: oliveoyl64 | July 17, 2009 at 09:37 PM
This made me laugh!!!!! I haven't been to a sale all year - I only go to thrift stores now. I can't take the garage sales around here. I'd still like to go with you on a good day, though!
Posted by: Allie | July 17, 2009 at 10:45 PM
I had to read your post below about things to buy with a quarter just to overcome my my grief and disgust at the miserable day you had today! :)
Posted by: Melony at Whimsy Daisy! | July 18, 2009 at 12:34 AM
That is so funny, but I am genuinely surprised. Somehow I had the feeling that you usually found good stuff on your trips. Obviously, it's much more work than I thought. I think I'll stick to ebay and thrift stores.
Posted by: Martha | July 18, 2009 at 01:54 AM
***LOVE*** this post!!! sounds familiar.....
Posted by: Jennifer Conway | July 18, 2009 at 03:30 AM
Oh Miss Barbara, you made me laugh out loud- so true, so true. But when you fall off a horse, you have to get back on and ride- and the same thing is true of junking- get out there and find something good today!
(Actually, I've had so many experiences like yours with rummage sales that I pretty much only go to estate sales and auctions, I don't handle disappointment well)
Posted by: Beth Leintz | July 18, 2009 at 09:06 AM
Hope you had better luck today. I'm actually going through withdrawals cause I had to miss going to them this weekend. LOL
Posted by: Mary | July 18, 2009 at 09:48 AM
What some people sell is just nasty. But isn't it cool when you hit a good one?
Last summer I found so many nice things. I actually found decent bedroom furniture for our son to take to college. My hubby painted it with milk paint and it turned out beautifully. We got a chest of drawers, a dresser, a desk and a nightstand for less than 100. Much better than the new trashy furniture you pay big bucks for. We were really lucky.
Posted by: mary | July 18, 2009 at 09:59 AM
We did alot of drive-bys yesterday! I only ended up with one thing from yesterday, and I don't hold out much hope for today. I so agree with you about the wording in the ads. "Too much to list" means you can't think of one good thing to list, because it's all junk!
Well,thanks for driving! My turn next week!
Posted by: Carol | July 18, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Oh, how I do enjoy your posts, you missed your call, you could be a stand up comedian,,,LOL
This left me in a good mood, just because you are hilarious....bettah luck next time, dahling..
Posted by: glenda | July 18, 2009 at 11:53 PM
The deliverance line was priceless!
Posted by: Sue | July 19, 2009 at 11:31 PM