More like a pathetic investment
My earnings at Day Two of the garage sale:
$2.00
Total earnings for the two days:
$4.75
Money spent on or at the garage sale:
$8.00 (signs and stickers) + $17.00 (Saturday’s lunch for the crew) = $25.00
Amount repaid to me for lunch and materials:
$18.00
Total profit from garage sale:
$4.75 + $18.00 - $25.00 = -$2.25
Conclusion:
Worst idea ever.
It was frustrating because people kept buying all of Brad’s old crap and hardly glanced at my nice things. I had nice clothes, things that I just don’t wear, on sale for a dollar, but nobody paid attention. Meanwhile Brad was selling ancient headphones with a built-in radio that may not have even worked anymore. He made more than $60, over half of the total earnings for the entire sale.
I’ve learned that people aren’t on the prowl for nice things no matter how inexpensive. What they want, truly, is crap. Strangers’ useless crap.
June 25th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Well that sucks!
June 25th, 2007 at 11:12 am
Sucky. Clothes rarely do well at garage sales, I’ve learned. But if you do have anything remotely designer (namely J Crew, Banana, Gap, Limited, etc) it does sell pretty well on eBay, if you’re interested. Otherwise, donate it and write it off. … Sorry the sale was such a downer for you. Make sure Brad buys you a nice dinner with his earnings.
June 25th, 2007 at 11:41 am
You should have a blog sale. List what you’ve got. Have people make you offers
June 25th, 2007 at 11:46 am
Brilliant idea! A blog sale, love it. Except, in frustration, I dumped almost everything in a big box destined for Goodwill.
I kind of always had this idea that I should give my no-longer-needed stuff away rather than profit from it, so that’s what I’ve always done. The one time I don’t, I get screwed. Lesson learned.
June 25th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
That’s too bad. I would have bought your nice things
And I love the idea of a blog sale. Maybe I’ll have to try that someday.
June 26th, 2007 at 7:14 am
How frustrating! And funny! I always feel weird browsing at tag sales. I usually don’t buy anything and feel that I’m rejecting people’s stuff and thus their taste/lifestyle. My wise mom pointed out, however, that the people have already rejected the objects of my disdain.