Last Saturday, we had a yard sale. We layed out the clothes that the kids have grown out of and the toys they no longer play with. We filled boxes with books that we’ve read and movies that we’ve watched. Car seats, strollers, and shoes. It had been quite a while since we’d put on our own yard sale, and this one was a spur of the moment decision. I’m glad we did it. Forget the $120 we came away with (not a huge amount)….the time spent sitting on the common area by the main street in our neighborhood was some of the best entertainment I’ve had in ages.
A few of the people that stopped by our little mobile store were:
Ms. Grab Bag for Another Country: doesn’t really care what she’s buying, as long as she gets it for cheap. She’ll stuff anything in that re-used shopping bag so that she can send a care package to her home country.
Mr. Wanna-touch-it-all: he’s the guy who will lift and handle every piece of clothing (including the kids’ clothes), every knick knack, every tool. And then he walks away with nothing.
Mrs. Bargain-hunter: will not take any quoted price. Tries to negotiate for a lower price no matter what, always with a sly smile on her face. 50 cents? No–I give you a quarter.
Mr. I-don’t-want-my-wife-to-know-I’m-here: the guy who initially warns that it may not be wise to openly display a certain (cough-cough) illegal item….and then comes back an hour later declaring, “I sneaked out. My wife is at home. Still have those Roman Candles?”
Mrs. How Does This Thing Work?: excepts a live user manual before spending her dollar.
Mr. Is This a Singles Bar? won’t leave. Tries to pick up a conversation while you try to conjure up some way to get in touch with your husband inside the house…
Mrs. I’ll be Back in a Few Minutes. Can You Save This Aside for me? (closely related to Mrs. and Mr. Can You Take a Check?)
Mr. Stuck-in-the-Sixties: Strolls by the yard sale, tie-dyed shirt, sunglasses, and long hair and all, and notices the mushrooms growing in the grass. Proceeds to give the entire family a run down of safe, not-so-safe, deadly and “really interesting mushrooms that make you see dancing elves.”
I think we may have to through another yard sale, just for the entertainment factor. Who is the most interesting character you’ve ever seen at a yard sale?
PS–AJ entertained himself and many passers-by by donning his long-grown-out-of bee costume, a plastic lei, and a voice magnifier. CandyMan still can’t figure out why the costume didn’t sell (he was like a walking advertisement!). I considered selling AJ along with the costume but didn’t have any takers.
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Lisa says
You forgot:
MRS-shows up before the sale starts, stays in (getaway) car keeping it running while MR runs over, picks up anything that “might” be valuable…finding no such thing he runs back and they take off-tires screeching to next sale.
and
MRS ULTRA BARGAIN SHOPPER: the item is .50 cents. She offers a quarter I agree. She drops offer to 10 cents. Then gets made when you refuse.
Lolli says
It’s funny how entertaining people watching can be!!
Lolli says
Surprisingly, our yard sale was mostly attended by men. I know–really weird!!
Allison @ Alli 'n Son says
OK, now I need to have a yard sale. Fun way to spend a day!
HaB says
That is too funny!!! And, everything you said is so true!! People watching – I used to tag along to yard sales with my mom, just to watch the people.
Kirsten says
Sounds fun! I’m surprised how many Misters there were. I always assumed that women were the only ones that like yard sales!
Susie's Homemade says
Too funny!
Brenda says
Great post! Its true, yard sales bring out a lot of interesting people.
Elaine says
Oh yes, yard sale shoppers are the best! As long as they are not knocking on my door at 6 a.m., it’s all good! Love the Bee costume!! :)
Dumb Mom says
I’ve not visited a yard sale in like 20 years! You should have invited me. I so woulda been Mr. I wanna touch it all’s female counterpart.
tiffany franklin says
so cute! I love yard saling you meet and see all kinds of things. FOllow my blog if you like!
Merry120 says
We always got “Mr. Shows up at 6am” guy who wants to wheel and deal on everything that you haven’t put out yet b/c you haven’t even had a chance to brush your teeth. Love THAT guy!
I just donated a ton of stuff b/c we have no free weekends until October. By then it may well be snowing here so I figured I would rather just donate it instead of the possibility that it would still be laying around come next summer.