Garage sales are hard on everyone
Categories: Kids 5-7, Media, Toys & games, That's entertainment
Yesterday was our annual neighborhood garage sale. All who care to participate drag out their unwanted items and sit back and wait for to customers to arrive. Last year, I spent the annual garage sale day shopping around the neighborhood. Garage sales are a lot of work and it is a lot more fun to buy than sell.
This year, I decided I had better take this opportunity to clean out my closets and make a few dollars. I went through my house with bins and loaded up things that we no longer need or want. When I reached Ellie's playroom, I knew there was going to be a battle. I didn't even attempt to toss toys or stuffed animals into the garage sale bins. As soon as a toy looks like it is headed out, it becomes her most favorite, prized possession. But I did think she would be willing to part with her old VHS tapes of Barney, The Wiggles and other "baby shows". I mean, she is six now and has outgrown that, right? Wrong.
Enticing her with visions of money did nothing to ease the pain of parting with her old videos. But I was firm and out they went. I ended up with a box of about 20 videos and offered them up for $1 each. In the spirit of compromise, I promised her that she could keep what didn't sell. Ellie sat outside with me all day long, keeping an eye on that box.
In the end, I sold only two videos. I suspect her death stare scared off the customers. So, now I am paying for my crime of attempting to sell the videos by being forced to actually watch the videos. It's a VHS baby show marathon around here today.
This year, I decided I had better take this opportunity to clean out my closets and make a few dollars. I went through my house with bins and loaded up things that we no longer need or want. When I reached Ellie's playroom, I knew there was going to be a battle. I didn't even attempt to toss toys or stuffed animals into the garage sale bins. As soon as a toy looks like it is headed out, it becomes her most favorite, prized possession. But I did think she would be willing to part with her old VHS tapes of Barney, The Wiggles and other "baby shows". I mean, she is six now and has outgrown that, right? Wrong.
Enticing her with visions of money did nothing to ease the pain of parting with her old videos. But I was firm and out they went. I ended up with a box of about 20 videos and offered them up for $1 each. In the spirit of compromise, I promised her that she could keep what didn't sell. Ellie sat outside with me all day long, keeping an eye on that box.
In the end, I sold only two videos. I suspect her death stare scared off the customers. So, now I am paying for my crime of attempting to sell the videos by being forced to actually watch the videos. It's a VHS baby show marathon around here today.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
LMD 6-10-2007 @ 12:50PM
Actually, I hope you don't mind me saying this, but it was probably the fact that they were on VHS that made them not sell. I don't even have a VCR any more. I have about 4 DVD players, though. I even have one that records. If I wanted to watch one of my old videos, I'd have to have my boyfriend take it to school and convert it to DVD.
But I'm sure the death stare doesn't help. Good luck with the marathon.
Reply
Heather 6-10-2007 @ 1:33PM
I feel your pain. I have a 2.5 yr old and a 5 yr old. I had a yard sale earlier this year and am plannng on another one later. I did the same thing you did, went through with boxes and bags and sorted. When I got to my kids toys, however, I was pleasantly surprised. I explained to my kids that they don't play with many of their toys anymore, and they should help other little kids who may not have many toys to play with. I told them that we were going to put them in the yard sale first, but after that I told them we were going to give them to other little boys and girls by giving them to Goodwill. I was really surprised, and proud, at how they understood and willingly gave up some of their things.
Also every time we have a yard sale the kids get some of the profit for being good and helping others. (I usually don't mention that while sorting.) Since most of the profits are from their things anyways, I figured it was only fair.
It makes me feel really good that our kids are willing to help others, and they feel good about it also.
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rebecca Biernesser 6-10-2007 @ 2:20PM
Lord, I can't wait for the day I can hold a garage sale!!!! My mom (thank god) talked me into keeping everything (well, most everything) after my first child b/c I knew I would be having other child, just not sure when. Well, now I have another child and one on the way, and since this is it, I'm going to be getting rid of everything!!! baby stuff takes up sooo much room.
on a side note, I love to garage sale. I have found great baby clothes and even a 36 gallon hex. fish take with stand that worked ($50!!).
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Crystal 6-10-2007 @ 5:46PM
I like donating so much better. There are plenty of families in need, and its much easier to throw everything in my car and drop it off somewhere. No pricing things, wasting a weekend watching people rummage through my things, lugging everything back in, and then ultimately making only a few bucks.
And donating gives you the warm fuzzies. :)
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julie 6-10-2007 @ 11:20PM
You should have told her that when they came back into the house, she could watch them all once, and only once. Upon watching them, she would be only allowed to keep a certain number (like 5) and the rest would have to go to charity.
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