The Editor,
Garage sale etiquette ... is there such a thing? I've had a garage sale almost every year for the past 10 years.
This year I noticed something different. What is happening to respect and manners??
My garage sale was advertised to start at 4 p.m. Ok, I understand MAYBE people will start coming at 3:30 or even 3 o’clock, but they didn't. They started coming at 12:30.
I had to tell over 30 people to please come back when we were set up and ready. Some people got mad. Yup. Mad I turned them away.
I'm sorry, but when you are scrambling to get things organized, priced and set up you are not ready for shoppers. Would you expect a store to open three hours early for you to go shop because it's convenient for YOU?! Probably not.
I'm sorry you are leaving town in an hour, but I'm seriously NOT READY. If I let you come look, it's not fair for the other 30 I just turned away.
Also, wheeling and dealing is part of the fun, but I believe there are limits. Please don't get mad when someone tells you the price is firm. Don't come back four times asking if I changed my mind. If the "price is too high", then it's simple: DONT BUY IT and move on.
I really didn't expect drama and confrontation at my garage sale.
Also, please understand that a "package deal" isn't always feasible at a multi-family sale. Yes, people got upset I couldn't always do this. Different people sell different items. Most of our stuff was a HUGE discount off the original price and/or already dirt cheap.
For some things I don't mind going lower, but people need to learn manners and RESPECT if someone says "No. Sorry.” End rant.
Happy garage sale-ing Estevan!
Tara Tedford
Estevan
