Having attended recent yard sales, I’m reminded anew about 3 Yard Sale Questions I Hate to be Asked. I was on on the hot seat again this weekend. Am I the lone stranger when it comes to questions like these?
The 3 Questions I Hate to be Asked
These are in order of not so annoying to the most cringe-worthy, followed by what I’d like to say in return.
Question 1
So I’m walking up to a yard sale and before I’ve even landed in the goodies, the owner says coolly, “may I help you?” I was somewhat taken aback. I must be in a department store!
Well, you’re having a yard sale, aren’t you? I came to look at your offerings, lady, is what I want to say.
And a variation of that…”Are you looking for anything in particular?” Now I know I’ve just been transported to a department store. Then her kid comes up and says exactly the same thing.
To my mind, it’s like being hounded by the sales lady as soon as you walk in a store. In those cases I just want to leave ASAP.
Yes I’m looking for a box of sterling silver flatware that you don’t realize is sterling, lady.
But I don’t say that.
Question 2
NOW the hot seat is getting a little warmer. I really hate these next 2 questions because lying makes me squirm. I try not to if I can possibly avoid it.
I’m standing at the yard sale checkout holding yarn, and the person says,
Oh do you knit?
Um, I knit…yes.
If you count 2 dishcloths, and 3 scarves I made 4 years ago.
If you count the knitting tote gathering 4 years of dust on the floor.
But I wouldn’t be able to tell you how to knit and purl now if my life depended on it.
Thank goodness she didn’t ask me when I knitted.
Here’s the next one equally as bad. I’m standing there holding sewing trims.
Oh, do you sew?
Egad…
Yes I sew.
I can turn on the sewing machine.
But as for threading it… I still have to read the directions.
I’ve made a few things…like this Square Dance outfit a few years ago.
It’s cute right? Someone from France emailed me today to tell me how adorable it is.
But it was the outfit from you know where.
You see, I checked out when Mama tried her level best to teach an uninterested 12-year-old how to sew.
She made me take 2 “How to Sew” classes at Singer, but I’d rather have been pulling weeds than learning to sew.
So I couldn’t remember how when I decided to make this outfit.
I found the pattern in a thrift store, but it wasn’t my size. Can you picture me modifying a pattern to fit when I hadn’t even sewed before? It was a joke.
I lost count of the number of times I ripped it out.
Making the ruffled trim was a nightmare. The directions called for it to be twice the length of the skirt, or something like that. So I mathematically calculated what double would be. Let’s just say it didn’t turn out quite right.
I laid the trim out, and it extended from the room I was working in, down the hall to the third bedroom and in a circle within the room. I thought it was a bit long, but told myself it would work out. It didn’t.
Yes I sew.
Question 3
And as for the last, most dreaded, cringe-worthy question, I’m standing there holding a pair of egg cups, and the lady glibly asked,
What.are.you.going.to.do.with.it?
I hate this question, but the answer rolled off my tongue so smoothly, I was proud of myself.
I have an egg cup collection.
And I do.
I haven’t added to it in over 20 years.
At one time, I imagined myself a gracious hostess serving meals on pretty tablecloths with cloth napkins, and boiled eggs in cute mismatched egg cups, but that went out the window very quickly.
Because now I’m a professional picker, and you can’t even see the tablecloth, or the table for that matter.
I can’t tell her the real truth.
I’m going to sell it lady! I’m going to put it in my Etsy shop.
People are often emotional about their stuff. They don’t like to think of you selling off Great Aunt Jane’s china. They want to imagine you cherishing it like they do.
There’s no good answer, but if you’re about to give a yard sale, give your customer a break, and please don’t ask!
Do you have these too?
You may enjoy these other posts~
Florence
Latest posts by Florence (see all)
- The Latest Vintage Hauls - February 10, 2020
- A Vintage Fall Haul - November 3, 2019
- September Sales on Etsy and My New Antique Booth - September 30, 2019
- Camping Trip Thrift Store Haul - August 2, 2019
Marlene says
I love your sense of humor. Thank you for all your tips of what to do and what not to do for yard sales. I have to admit to being guilty of saying all of the above things at my yard sale. Keep up the good work.
Florence says
Thanks Marlene! Glad you enjoyed it! Now you know what not to ask…LOL
Lauren says
Oh my gosh – I’m rolling on the floor laughing!! Looking for a box of sterling silver flatware that you don’t know is sterling – hahahahaha! I have to say that MY cringe-worthy questions would be in reverse order of yours. I HATE being hounded OR the seller who walks you around pointing out all of their treasures and telling you how beautiful/great they are. Leave. Me. Alone. is what I’m thinking! In fact, I will almost never go up to a sale where there is not at least ONE other person looking.
Florence says
Oh I would hate having an escorted tour too! Bleh. The story about the sterling is actually true. I did find a whole box of it at a yard sale a few years ago. I didn’t realize it was sterling either till I got home b/c it was in bad shape. But I was happy I got over $200 for it!
Wanda says
Yes, yes and yes! I think #1 is my most dreaded, though. I remember, years ago, deciding to answer with some things I actually was looking for. Things I figured I could afford if they had them. Things they might not have thought to bring out. So I was at a family run estate sale and got the dreaded:
Them: Are you looking for anything in particular?
Me: Yes, buttons.
Them: Buttons?? We threw those away! We didn’t think anyone would want old buttons!
Now, whenever that question is asked, I think and sometimes even say that I probably want what you threw away. An answer I have given, especially when everything is new, decorator items, like from Kirkland’s, is that I’m looking for old, crusty junk. No matter what, it’s always awkward. And, I love kids, but pushy kids are the worst!
As far as #2 and #3, sometimes I’ll answer that I know someone who collects ___ or knits or whatever.
Thanks for the break from cleaning!
Florence says
I haven’t thought of telling them I was looking for someone else. That’s plausible. Sometimes I’m just not in the mood to talk…that early in the morning I’m not feeling particularly chatty, LOL.
Sharon@bluewillowhouse says
Oh, I agree that those are the worst questions at a garage sale. My daughter and I went to a yard sale last summer where the folks running is barely said a word. It was great.
Florence says
Oh I love that…where I can look in peace.
Sharon@bluewillowhouse says
Thank you for sharing at Snickerdoodle.
kim says
LOL that was the funniest post I’ve read in awhile. LOVED your sterling silver answer!
I HATE when sellers tell you what their items are worth on EBAY. I usually walk away and think to myself “I hope you’re still sitting here with that when your sale is over.” Cripes…..
Florence says
I’m so glad you liked it Kim! Oh my goodness, I hate the Ebay references too! So WHY aren’t you selling it on Ebay, lady? That’s what I want to say. Egad.
Kim says
Questions like these keep me away from yard sales sometimes. I don’t want to make small talk, I just want to shop and peek!
Florence says
Me too Kim. I know exactly what you mean.
Mary says
Florence I’m going to have a yard sale in the spring when the weather gets better. And I’ve also had a few in the past. I just try to say hello and give them space. That department store feeling is the worst!
Florence says
You’re on the right track, Mary, with just saying hello, then giving them space! Absolutely wins every time if the comments here are any indication. I’d love to come to your yard sale! Sounds like you have lots of vintage goodies!
Debbie-Dabble says
Florence,
Thanks so much for stopping by!! I really got a chuckle out of this post!! I used to be quite the yard saler but I haven’t gone in years…too much stuff in the house!! I did used to run our church flea market and I used to love when someone asked me if all the pieces were in the puzzle boxes and all the parts were in the game boxes. I used to say that since i did not have time to put all the puzzles together and play all the games to see if every piece was there, that is why they are only 25 cents!!! They usually then quietly bought them!! LOL!
Hugs,
Deb
Florence says
What a wonderful and very apt answer Debbie! I love it! Going to have to remember that one. Yes I know what you mean about too much stuff. I’m feeling it and don’t go every weekend like I used to. Thanks for coming by my little home on the internet!
Michelle Leslie says
LOL Florence and I can just picture you trying to maintain your composure. I suppose the sellers are just trying to make a connection with the buyers hoping it will make them buy more. I’ve never been to a yard sale though. They’re not done here in South Africa. And that story about the gorgeous dress you made, too funny. At least you stuck it out even though you rolled endless yards of fabric down the passage 😀
Florence says
Wish you had yard sales in SA Michelle! Maybe you should be the first & start a whole new trend! Ha! Glad you saw the humor in this tale.
Trish says
LOL! Great post. The only thing sellers should be saying is “make me an offer. I don’t want to put this stuff back in my house.”
Florence says
You got that right Trish! Thanks for dropping in!!
Carol, The Red Painted Cottage says
Florence, This is so funny! I love your humor, but I have to say I’ve never had anyone ask me any of those questions. Maybe it’s a southern thing…LOL?
Florence says
You haven’t had anyone ask you these? I can’t believe it! It’s not every time, but frequent. Could be a Southern thing, who knows?
Debrashoppeno5 says
You had me in stitches (yes I sew, no I haven’t knitted in years). I can’t say I have been to yard sales where they think it is a high-end department store so I must be traveling in the wrong areas. Now I know why I haven’t found anything special lately.
Florence says
Thanks Debra. Glad you enjoyed it! Guess everyone has different experiences going to yard sales…
Tania says
I hate it when NOTHING has a price and you have to ask “How much” for every.single.thing. And I find that usually when nothing is marked, they want way too much for it. And then I really hate it when they give you a price, you say “ok thanks”, put the item back down and then they start hounding you… “well, how much would you give me?” My answer is sometimes “I don’t want to insult you” because their price was like 10 times what I would actually pay!
Tania
Florence says
Oh gosh yes, hate that too. I get the same thing. They want to know what I would pay, and I tell them they don’t want to know! There’s no way to bargain at sales like that where everything is already too high.
Cecilia says
I agree! My least favorite is when the seller comments on the original price, haha! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Florence says
That’s a good one too Cecilia!
Laura Ingalls Gunn says
Thanks for the great laugh! I too love to be greeted by Captain Obvious. 🙂
Florence says
Thanks Laura! Glad you enjoyed it!
Ree Cee says
If someone asks me if every piece is in the puzzle, I’d say of course. Then, when they aren’t looking, I’d put a handful of puzzle pieces (from another box I saved for this purpose) in every box they buy to drive them crazy. That’s what you get for asking me dumb questions about a 25 cent puzzle. Just kidding! I’ve never sold puzzles. But if I did, I would do that.
I also hate it when people who have yard sales don’t have change. You’re having a yard sale for crying out loud. Do you want to sell or not – then be prepared until ATMs spit out singles and fives! If I’m going to be yard saling all day, I make sure I have small bills and quarters.
I’m all for the kiddos being little entrepreneurs and setting up a lemonade or bake sale. But when they start to yell sell, that’s my queue to get the heck out of dodge.
As pickers, we all have our war stories – and I love to hear them cuz we can’t make this stuff up!
Florence says
You got that right Ree! We sure don’t make it up! It drives me crazy too when yard salers don’t have change. Agree with you on lemonade stands. I’m usually served only 1/2 glass lemonade for 25 cents, so it ends up being maybe 1/4 cup. Sometimes I avoid them to tell you the truth. Lightning will probably strike me down now, LOL. Little kids with lemonade stands are so American.
dave says
I’m a picker, I also love when they ask what I’m going to do with something and I play ‘fantasy of the mind’ quickly making up something like oh I’m going to give it to my grandson or I’m going to display it in my curio or I’m going to give it to my daughter in law who has a MCM house. Only rarely after I’ve paid for something and am on my way do I say “I’m going to immediately put it on ebay and quickly make $200 on your ‘old radio'”. Oh, and the top of my list is little kids hawking overpriced lemonaid at a dollar a cup. If they’d sell cans of pop for 50 cents and put out some cheap cookies for a quarter I’m in but this nostalgic lemonaid deal is pretty old.
Florence says
Oh my goodness…TELL IT about the lemonade! I totally agree, and the little cups aren’t even full! I felt chintzy even thinking a bad thought about kids & their lemonade stands, but I’m totally with you on it. I usually avoid them if possible. Totally agree about your other points. I hate to be asked that “what are you going to do with it” question.