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Marthe48

(16,874 posts)
Wed Apr 14, 2021, 02:12 PM Apr 2021

Getting ready to send some things to auction

It has been a time of decisions. The annual neighborhood yard sale is coming up. Even though I have my 2 doses of Moderna and will be almost a month out from the last one, I was iffy about contact. I thought I'd just put the boxes of stuff I have ready to donate out. Now, I think I will set out some big items, such as a microwave, that people aren't going to pick up and put down. While I was thinking things over, my daughter offered to help me run the sale. I said instead of setting up a sale, maybe she could just take some boxes of stuff to the consignment auction house. They've sold for us before and I feel like they are honest and respectful. Between consignment and yard sale, I thought I'd do about the same, but the auction is less trouble. I'll put a few things out the days of the sale, but it won;t be a lot. If the weather is bad, I won't put anything out.

My daughter is coming tomorrow to take some boxes to the sale. I realized late last week that I should probably make an inventory of what I send. Not because of the auction house, because I want to have a list handy so that next year when I'm wondering where something is, I can look at the list and say, 'oh yeah, I sold it!' I'm making a list to put in each box, and keeping a copy. Also taking pictures of the stuff unwrapped, before I rewrap and put it in a box. It is a little slow, but I've come across a few things that I can give the girls, my friends or keep. My plan is to send stuff to auction that is not special, but might be attractive to people-advertising mugs, vintage glass, china and pottery. I realized lately that my collection is like an iceberg-7/8's is out of sight

I found a nice Tiffin Glass vase one of the girls will take. Still has the Tiffin label on it. The other girl wants planters, so I am setting aside any of those I find. Over the last few months, I've found almost 3 dozen vintage planters. It doesn't seem to matter how tacky they are (remember the figural fifties? ) she takes them. She is planning to build a greenhouse and will use them in there. I also found a vase I had bought (very cheap). It reminded me of Majolica, but I was pretty sure it wasn't. Somebody drilled the bottom, so it'll never be worth much. I am a member of a group on Facebook called Talking Antiques. I posted pictures of the vase yesterday, and found out it is Chinese, about 100 years old, and done in the Fahua style. I was thrilled to learn what it is, and have another topic to explore.

I am toying with the idea of buying a shed with garage type door, to set up as a little shop or permanent yard sale. There are already at least 2 businesses on my 'residential' street. I could have hours by appt. I could totally do that and stock it for years. lol And I wouldn't have to worry about the weather.

I do like collecting, and even if I swear I won't buy anything else, I can't forget what I know. Doesn't seem to be something you can really retire from.


7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Getting ready to send some things to auction (Original Post) Marthe48 Apr 2021 OP
I wish I had a shed for that. Good luck! ZonkerHarris Apr 2021 #1
I just love everything about your post. blm Apr 2021 #2
Aw, thanks Marthe48 Apr 2021 #4
My daughter and I had a yard sale 2 weeks ago. mtngirl47 Apr 2021 #3
One of my friends is reassuring me that masked outside will be safe Marthe48 Apr 2021 #5
UPDATE: I sold some stuff Marthe48 Apr 2021 #6
Another update: yard sale tomorrow Marthe48 May 2021 #7

Marthe48

(16,874 posts)
4. Aw, thanks
Wed Apr 14, 2021, 06:01 PM
Apr 2021

It kind of feels good to work on this stuff with a plan in mind.

I contacted 2 of my friends who have booths in antique malls. No firm commitment, but I think they will end up buying a few things.

mtngirl47

(987 posts)
3. My daughter and I had a yard sale 2 weeks ago.
Wed Apr 14, 2021, 03:06 PM
Apr 2021

We wore masks and most of the people who came also had masks. We had hand sanitizer at the check out table.

We cleaned out every closet and cabinet in our homes! We swapped some things and I tried not to be offended that she sold some things I had given to her!! I saved some stuff to sell on eBay.

We sold a lot and each made about $500. We donated the rest.

I wouldn’t worry about covid since you’re vaccinated and you’ll be outside.

Marthe48

(16,874 posts)
5. One of my friends is reassuring me that masked outside will be safe
Wed Apr 14, 2021, 06:03 PM
Apr 2021

I will probably be more confident as time goes on.

Marthe48

(16,874 posts)
6. UPDATE: I sold some stuff
Sun Apr 18, 2021, 01:18 PM
Apr 2021

My daughter had the tiredness side-effect from her 2nd shot. I told her not to worry about taking stuff to the auction house. One of my friends with a booth came over this morning and bought a bunch of stuff, gave me good prices, and wants to come back. They were here for 2 hours and I think I wore them out. lol

I feel pretty darned good right now

Marthe48

(16,874 posts)
7. Another update: yard sale tomorrow
Wed May 5, 2021, 07:22 PM
May 2021

My friend came back and bought more stuff, yay.

I sold all of the stuff I had ready to go to the consignment auction to another friend who has a booth. I did some more sorting, but it is on hold until next week.

I'm going to have a small sale, with mainly big things that can't be picked up and put down. Lots of free stuff. I have about 5 boxes I'll put out on tables and mark fill up a box for a buck. I have boxes, bags and wrapping paper. No clothes this time.

I put the yard sale stuff in my car. If it isn't raining, I'll set up. If it is raining, I'll take it to the storage unit. Lots of work even putting together a small sale.

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