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So the big sign announcing the annual neighborhood sale is up and I need to decide if we should sell or shop.

We've done the sale two years now, and while we have managed to unload no longer used items, it wasn't fun and not much earned. I don't have much to sell, but can't justify buying unless I move some more stuff out. This is our best chance to move items in a yard sale - usually 30-50 homes participating.

Is it worth it for the sake of moving unwanted items? Participants also get a free "pick-up" after the sale by a local charity truck (this is how 90% of our stuff moved last year )

I need to decide so that we can be put on the map. When is it worth the effort?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: junk collector,

I guess it depends on how much it is worth to you. I know the free pick-up can be worth quite a bit, so I might set up a sale table just for that reason and be happy to get rid of lots of unwanted items.

Well, how much do you have to sell? I you have a lot, then maybe go ahead and sell, just to see if you can get rid of things that way.

If you don't have that much to sell, I would skip it, since it wasn't fun before, and you say you didn't sell much.

If you don't sell, that doesn't mean you have to shop. I think I would scan the goods, out of curiosity, and then I would head out and do something more fun. Maybe a walk in the park or a picnic. Or a movie, or a play, or concert.

I have a few "large" items - coffee table set, a dresser, some misc things, etc...

We really want to hit the sale as our neighborhood has fantastic vintage items and there are two or three things on my "list" that we would like to find.

Set out for an hour or two and then close up shop so that we can go shopping? Anything that doesn't move in that time frame can go on the truck.

I have a different take on this as I used to have yard sales just to make money for myself. therefore a group yard sale would not appeal to me, either as a seller and really not as a buyer either.

You could put out unwanted items and someone may take them whether or not you sell yourself. As long as you get rid of them that is what you want, right?

If you only have a few items to sell then consider doing so in a furniture consignment shop or donate to a thrift store and take a tax deduction. Just some other options to consider.

You sound like you have a plan and REALLY want to scope out the sale for your list of items tho. It's always good to purge unwanteds before you bring in more tho. Only you know the answer to this.

If you don't think you'll get much for your things, why don't you just take advantage of the free pick up and go shopping -- especially if there are some venues that you really want to hit -- for you know in the sale world -- the early bird gets the buy!

Martha

Well - we have decided to SELL again this year. DH did not have a positive reaction at first, but he sees the value of it after looking around at all the clutter.

The first year we did this we had a lot of extras like bedding, curtains, rugs, etc that were gently used and ready for someone else.

Last year, we moved all of our old sauder style bookshelves (a lady with a day care center came by - took every last one!). But no one wanted the couch, chair, tv cart (it was a complete college apartment in one stop - still can't believe it didn't sell). All of the leftovers went to the humane society or BBBS thrift stores.

This morning, I moved the cherry queen anne style table set (chipped!) into the garage, along with two small chests, a magazine rack (nice), and some other odd furniture pieces we are willing to bid adieu. Just moving it out of the house is such a relief! Nothing will be priced above 30-35 dollars and I'll advertise on CL.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: junk collector,

If you want to declutter, selling is the way to go. If you don't have much, I'd just donate it and go shopping. You've probably made the wisest decision JC.

I am going through clearing out and the community yard sale is in two weeks. I am getting things out... this way with all left that suits my direction of decorating... this means I can refine what I want.

Clearing out can feel so liberating!

Well, you have encouraged me to participate in our lake's annual sale- get rid of stuff that's taking up room. A week after our garage sale we have "dumpster" day- Assoc. pays for 3 dumpsters and someone is there to take scrap. Have to find a way to get hubby to clear out rafters in garage of all scrap wood, etc that's stored up there. I'll be back to calling him DH if he does that.

I wish you much success with your yard sale! I've always liked neighborhood YS as there are more sales for less driving so hope yours is well attended.

I've vowed I'll never have another YS as they are a lot of work to arrange and price and the last 2 we had were not all that successful. The one previous to that was really good but I think too many people want to pay next to nothing for things and it's not worth my while to do it. I've sold a *lot* of things at a consignment shop so that's what I'll continue to do until it's all gone and my profit there is so much better than @ YS. I've also donated a lot of small items and will sell the larger furniture online now that I don't need them for storage.