I've never been a fan of garage sales.
In college I wore a lot of vintage clothing from funky resale shops, but since then, I can't stand even hand-me-downs from family (sorry sis)! Any time I've borrowed or bought something on Ebay for my kids, there's a creepy "this isn't hers" feeling when I put it on one of my daughters. I find I don't like looking at photos of them in what feels like someone else's clothes.
I am, however, happy to give things to charity and sell things that other people would find useful.
So, in this spirit, I've started to sell off our things and have come to the not-so-startling conclusion that: Friends are Cool, Strangers Suck. Earth-shattering, right? I know. Stay tuned for more "Anne Wright, Master of the Obvious" revelations.
Here's how we set up our "sale"--we put price tags on major items (TV/DVD/surround sound setup, couches, tables, large furniture and electronic devices). Everything else that's small went into the basement, set out as a "boutique de stuff." Friends come over and peruse the large items on the first floor and then grab whatever they want from the little things on the second floor. We carry it all upstairs, take a look and I have people throw out a price. I've not been unhappy with any transaction this way.
For tools, however, Bryan's listed things on Craigslist which brings in the creepy stranger factor. Sure, we've gotten rid of some stuff--and fast. The three bikes (two road bikes, one mountain bike) went in about 40 minutes! But the guy who came for some tools perused the stuff in the basement and made insulting "how about a dollar for this" kinds of comments with his socially-challenged daughter. It left me feeling, uh, dirty and gross. I didn't want her buying Helena's treasured blue wagon. But they did. Another thing they picked up was our old beat-up trailer for $40, which he's trying to sell on Craigslist for $200.
Normally, I'd say "Bravo" to the guy who buys low and sells high. And I'd LOVE it if one of my friends was doing this. Well, let's be truthful, I'd LIKE it if someone I cared for could get some value from the stuff. But the guy who beat us down on price and isn't even using our things just makes my skin crawl. Craigslist chaser is the new ambulance chaser, apparently. Icky.
However, it's time to let go. If there's been any theme of my life these last few months, it's that this is my time to let go of the material things. I have let go of things useless (muffin tins I don't use, makeup that never quite looked the way I wanted), useful (Brita water filter I never used much, clothes I'm tired of) and painful (great dress I bought for a crappy dinner at the home of a spineless incompetent with whom Bryan used to work).
"Ooh, was that out loud?"
"Oh no, she din't!"
Oh yes, I did.
But through all the sorting, selling and donating, I'm keeping positive. I am holding on to what really matters--family, friends and the few possessions that truly matter to us. I am sharing with wonderful people who value and will use the things that were just weighing us down. I am helping those with less who could use a boost in the form of a deal on a nice pastry creamer. I am even, charitably, helping the Craigslist lowlife ambulance chasers towards what I hope will be better dental care someday.
That being said, anybody want two Camelback hydration systems, a washer/dryer set or a Marc Jacobs bracelet?
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