Friday, August 17, 2007

Garage Sales, A Canadian Institution? NOT

Have been having a garage sale the last two days, one to go! Have made about $500 so far, we had a lot of junk other people wanted! Thank goodness, after tomorrow I will be able to park my car in the garage during the winter, no more scrapping windows in 30 below!

My most interesting observations are about the people who have wondered through our garage in the last two days. It's like a mini UN. All shapes, all sizes, all religions, all languages, all looking for a bargain.

My take for those who are looking to have a garage sale soon? They are a lot of fun, and you can't categorize people, such as all Chinese will bargain, some do, some don't. We had three Muslim women who bought about $70 worth of stuff and didn't haggle once. Then we had one Chinese gentleman, who wanted everything for less than half price, the next Chinese couple paid full price for everything.

Rule number 1, is don't assume!

Rule number 2, if you think you will never sell it, it will be the first thing sold! Get real junk out there, I sold a half used air freshener!

Rule number 3, let them bargain, you don't want it and they do. Get it out of your house, and into someone else's, then it's their problem. Our hamster cage is now taking up space, but not in my house!

Rule number 4, have fun, and get your neighbours involved.

Rule number 5, after 1, it's time for a drink, you will make more sales and have more fun doing it!

Rules 6 to 10, refer to rule number 5, and repeat!

Our new neighbours had never seen a garage sale, they have only been in Canada for a year, they bought an air hockey game and a scooter, and couldn't believe that this was allowed by the government, for only an $18 permit. I expect to be going to their garage sale next year!

Garage sales, a Canadian institution, I think NOT, everybody loves them, no matter what ethnic background!

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