Greedy People
The Avocado Avenger
parents had a garage sale, a huge one, and we sold all sorts of stuff we
didn't think was worth much. What a cliche - we sold lots of dishware
which had to have been worth 10 times what we sold it for. I had a ruby
red 1920s juice glass my grandma gave me, still do, and we tried to sell a
whole set at the garage sale, but all the people who knew what it was
worth tried to get it for even less than the measly $5.00 we put on it.
I still have the one glass, but my parents gave the set to Salvation Army.
The "depression glass" and "carnival glass" was gone before 8 AM. Two
years ago my parents gave a huge 1940s alligator skin Samsonite luggage
collection in great shape to Goodwill. My grandma's sewing machine got
sold to the little old lady down the street for $20, because she "swore"
she used them, it wasn't a collectible to her. My great grandpa's 1910s
typewriter was given to the neighbors next door who weeks later stole
lumber out of our yard. They claimed they needed a typewriter to type up
resumes. Guess they needed the lumber to make their own paper.
People are greedy.
I've been hesitant to go through what's left of the toys, collectibles,
and other things dad stored in the garage before he passed. There's so
much I remember us having, I would be really upset to find it gone. Mom's
been throwing stuff away left and right, lord knows what she's tossed. So
far dad's 1930s Schmoo magnets, his 1909 VDB S penny, and his mother's
1920s aquamarine art deco jewelry set are missing.
Er. Guess I just wanted to rant. (Those Tom Mix Big Little Books are
MINE MINE MINE!!!)
Stacia * The Avocado Avenger * Life is a tale told by an idiot;
http://www.flinthills.com/~stacia * Full of sound and fury,
There is no guacamole anywhere. * Signifying nothing.
Kris Baker
The Avocado Avenger wrote in message
Stacia, I understand what you're saying. I think we've all
gone through that, whether we're the ones buying the stuff
at the garage sales, or not.
I've got some philosophy on all of this:
The stuff people get rid of that's "worth something"
has little value to them, monetarily or as a memory.
It's just junk, and they've really never treasured it
or treated it with respect.
We who do buy it, are getting it to someone who
will treasure it. Seldom do we make a big profit,
but we do make people happy. My favorite story
is of the old lady who sold me a beautiful Hull
vase for $5, that she'd written the price on in
Sharpie - hard to get off. I had picked it up, and
was reallyt thinking of offering her more, until
I heard her telling her daughter "Geez....I'd
like to see HER house - buying that stupid ugly
vase!". I handed $5, and walked away smiling.
If everyone kept all of it, none of it would be
worth anything.
If there's something for sale that I know I can
make money on, I pay asking price. If the price is
too high, that's OK - I'll let someone else pay that
price, but it's not in my nature to nag them down
so I can make a profit.
My parents have been moving around the country
for 30 years, and have little left. My one "bonus"
for being the only family member to stay in Utah?
I got most of the stuff, and still have it. ;)
Kris