The Insights to Yard Sales

     First off, I have a yard sale twice a year during the Carl Junction City Wide Yard Sale event. One sale is in April and the other is in October. My mother is a voluntary clerk who works alongside me at my yard sales. We have found many amusing situations that have occurred at these sales. One of the most amazing things is the customers are always there before the merchandise is even out on display. They are ready to shop until they drop as soon as they see my mother and me in the front yard putting up the tables.  We have noticed that yard sales bring about all types of customers.  These “yard-salers” can be categorized into four main groups: the Drive-Bys, the Dashers, the Genuines, and last but not least, the Jewers.

     The most hilarious people to watch are the Drive-Bys. These people are at a fast-pace speed until they come upon a yard sale. They slow down, to the point of creeping, to view the items for sale from their vehicles. If they do not see anything worth buying they drive off in record speed, to the next yard sale.

     Another funny group is the Dashers.  These people always park and leap out of their cars. They run in to the yard sale, look around for approximately sixty seconds, and dash back to their cars. When I notice this type of customer, I always yell, “Be sure and tell your friends about this sale,” as they drive off in a hurry.  Sometimes, I miss these people because they go so quickly from the car to the sale and back to the car again.

     Now, the Genuines are a special group of people. They are the people that slowly arrive at the sale, scan over the merchandise, and then, they go through boxes of clothing, books, toys, and any other items that peak their interest. I can sit and talk for hours with the Genuines because they are in no hurry whatsoever and I enjoy them being a part of my yard sale experience.

     Lastly, we have the people know as the Jewers. Usually these people frustrate me. They will ask what my price is on a certain item and then ask me if I will take a drastically lower price. When this happens, I always think, “Why did you ask me the price if you were just going to try my patience by asking me to lower the price.” Do not ask me to take a lower price; just say I will give you x amount of dollars for this particular item; this is a better form of jewing.  

     Lastly, one particular yard sale of mine was very agitating because it was pouring down rain and I still had a car load of people walk up and ask if they could look through my items that were boxed up and in my house. These people were desperate to see what kind of “goodies” I had for sale.  No matter what categories of people attend my yard sales, they still either purchase something or give me great joy in watching their actions. When the day is done and money has been made, you have to love these people.  Please feel free to attend my yard sales no matter what category of “yard-saler” you fit into.