Garage Sale America - The Parent Blogger Network Review
Let me start off my saying that I am nothing if not optimistic when faced with the prospect of a yard sale. Attending one or holding one, I have grand illusions of cool, funky purchases that will make my house POP, or selling all the junk in my house and making a fortune. I know people do it; my stepmother has a sale or two a year and makes hundreds of dollars. Me, I'm not so lucky.
Bruce Littlefield had a gravy job. He spent most every Saturday shilling around America, studying what makes us tick - what makes a great Garage Sale, what makes people stop and think, "Ooh, I've got to have one of those. I need that, and that, and you couldn't PAY me enough to take one of those home."
He went Garage Saling on a mission - to outfit his retro 1940's farmhouse in Upstate New York solely with his finds. He hunted his way across America, stopping at the World's Largest Yard Sale, the World's Biggest, and the World's Longest. With first person stories of unusual garage sale characters, and Bruce's own hints and clues for how to find the best deals, this book was much more fun to read that I expected. Huge, glossy pictures and interviews with experts make this book a fun summertime read.
He goes into great detail discussing collectibles found and ways people have made fortunes with cheap purchases, and made me see vintage in a whole new light. I've learned more about Bakelite,recycled art, fishing lures, marbles (one worth $3000!), and Lalique than I ever dreamed.
I haven't got an eighth of his panache, and have never been successful at garage saling, but this book was an interesting read and inspiring to boot.
Want to win my copy? Leave me a comment and I'll do a random drawing!
I've never had any luck at garage sales either. I've never actually hosted one at my own home because...well, I'm just too lazy and it's too much work for the .50 I'd make :)
Posted by: Heather | June 20, 2007 at 09:31 AM
I've had a few garage sales, most have made money.I have had people steal things too. Also people waiting outside at 7:00 Am on a Sat.! But my last one was the worst, hot, not busy at all, I don't think I'll ever have another one! But I do LOVE going to garage sales! Now if I can only get up early enough with little ones to get out and get the good stuff. :)
Posted by: Betsy | June 20, 2007 at 09:40 AM
I've been contemplating having my first ever garage sale this summer. I think if I have a friend over, some drinks, and low expectations it'll be a success!
Posted by: Lesli | June 20, 2007 at 09:44 AM
I love garage sales, in fact sadly I met my now husband at one(well it was a tag sale at our job but still). I am really good at buying at them, but for some reason cant seem to have one that makes me any money.
Posted by: kelly | June 20, 2007 at 10:01 AM
I adore yard sales (or as people in Maine call them, lawn sales or barn sales). Not my own though, I despise my own and refuse to ever do it again, but there is nothing better to do on a Saturday morning then come home with other peoples stuff for less than the cost of a cup of coffee!
Posted by: Kerry | June 20, 2007 at 10:06 AM
I've had a few garage sales and made a little money. I hate going through my junk to find items to sell. I may not have used something in 10 years, but as soon as I sell it for fifty cents, I'll need it. I'm no good at shopping at sales either...probably because I don't get out at 7am on a Saturday.
Posted by: Kelley | June 20, 2007 at 10:19 AM
We teased my aunt about her house being decorated in Early American Garage Sale.
Where else can you buy a ten foot long couch?
Posted by: Sherry | June 20, 2007 at 11:59 AM
I would rather just donate our "junk" than mess with having our own sale, but I love to go to other peoples to see what they are getting rid of.
Posted by: Mar | June 20, 2007 at 01:22 PM
We furnished most of our first home through garage sales! Church sales are our favorite! Lots of stuff and usually pretty decent because people donate items "for a good cause".
Posted by: Jennifer | June 20, 2007 at 02:28 PM
I love yard sales! We end up particiapting in one our church hosts twice a year and always gets good traffic. My faves are community yard sales -- lots of sales in one place.
Posted by: Heather | June 20, 2007 at 03:40 PM
I love yard sales. Much of my children's wardrobe comes from garage sales. We had a garage sale with some neighbors last weekend. I only made about $40, but that was $40 bucks I'll have to spend at future yard sales, Horay!
Posted by: Paige | June 20, 2007 at 06:39 PM
I'm hosting a sale the first weekend in July. I could use all the help I can get! :) You all are welcome to come and buy...
Posted by: Daisy | June 20, 2007 at 08:51 PM
We don't have the best luck with garage sales either, so I would rather just donate our junk. Someone suggested that we have a huge yard sale to fundraise for our adoption, but I just don't feel up to it!!
Posted by: | June 21, 2007 at 08:33 AM
hey everybody! it's me bruce littlefield... author of GARAGE SALE AMERICA... i've got some great tips in the book for you people who say you couldn't have a successful garage sale. BUT the most important thing whether you're buying, selling or just reading is having a sense of humor about it. you're finding a good home for you junk AND making some spare change for (perhaps) a great dinner out or a facial or back to school clothes for the kids... and you get people like me who come by and LOVE YOU FOREVER because you sold me your unwanted stuff... then, if you CALL your favorite charity... they'll probably come and pick up the rest. have fun!!!
Posted by: Bruce | June 21, 2007 at 09:29 AM
I've found lots of good baby gear at garage sales, but I usually just donate my old stuff.
Posted by: Suz | June 21, 2007 at 10:13 AM
my last garage sale took TONS of time to set up and I made a whopping $89 - $40 of which was due to a baby crib which took no time to price. That means, that w/o that crib, I made about 50 cents an hour. No thanks. I'll donate my stuff. But I do like to stop in to other's sales and check out their stuff. I've gotten some great things for my youngest, my first boy, who needs more than polly pockets to play with :).
Posted by: Sara | June 21, 2007 at 10:35 AM
I love Garage sales. I try to get baby clothes and equipment and books. I love the idea of being "green" and giving something a second life.
Posted by: Heather | June 21, 2007 at 11:43 AM
Sounds like a fun read; hope I win (But I never do).
Posted by: Stephanie C. | June 21, 2007 at 10:32 PM
I think garage sales are great - when someone else is putting them on. Or when someone tells me to come over before the sale because they have stuff in the sizes I'll need for my kids soon. That's the best way! :)
Posted by: Sarah | June 21, 2007 at 11:13 PM
I like garage sales if I can take all my stuff to somebody else's house. I hate hosting them.
Posted by: kelli in the mirror | June 22, 2007 at 06:02 PM
My parents go EVERY weekend to yard sales...and unfortunately for me, my mom likes to bring everything she buys to my house! We have had a couple of yard sales, and the children always sell drinks. Sometimes, they make more money than I do!
Posted by: Ann | June 23, 2007 at 08:56 PM
Hey fellow garage saliors. I live in Cincinnati and I found this really nice website for garage sales!! There were over 150 last weekend. I went to about 40 of them I bet.
Anyways, you all will enjoy this find.
http://www.GarageSaleCow.com
See you all at the sales,
Barb
Posted by: Barb the Garage Sale Crazy Woman | April 27, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Hey fellow garage saliors. I live in Cincinnati and I found this really nice website for garage sales!! There were over 150 last weekend. I went to about 40 of them I bet.
Anyways, you all will enjoy this find.
http://www.GarageSaleCow.com
See you all at the sales,
Barb
Posted by: Barb the Garage Sale Crazy Woman | April 27, 2008 at 10:32 PM