Comments on: The Mythical Buyer’s Code of Conduct for Garage/Yard Sales http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/mythical-buyers-code-conduct Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles Fri, 24 May 2013 18:02:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Kate http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/mythical-buyers-code-conduct/comment-page-1#comment-26453 Kate Fri, 20 Aug 2010 22:29:38 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2492325#comment-26453 One thing I learned, the hard way, is that even at an estate sale run by someone who is in the estate sale biz, NEVER give them an item to hold for you up at the front table. If a dealer or person comes along who they know better than you, and that person wants to buy what they're supposed to hold for you while you are still looking around, it'll be gone. "By Mistake". Ooopsie! If you really want it, pay for it ASAP, or hold onto it yourself or bring a friend to hold it for you. One thing I learned, the hard way, is that even at an estate sale run by someone who is in the estate sale biz, NEVER give them an item to hold for you up at the front table. If a dealer or person comes along who they know better than you, and that person wants to buy what they’re supposed to hold for you while you are still looking around, it’ll be gone. “By Mistake”. Ooopsie! If you really want it, pay for it ASAP, or hold onto it yourself or bring a friend to hold it for you.

]]> By: Cajun Blazer http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/mythical-buyers-code-conduct/comment-page-1#comment-24350 Cajun Blazer Mon, 09 Aug 2010 01:11:15 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2492325#comment-24350 I too visit many garage sales every weekend to find items to resale, and I conduct my own garage sales a couple of times a year. However, unlike the author, I manage to do so without being a pompous ass. I don't know what part of the country the author hails from, but down in south garage sales are a way of life. It is very common for folks at sales to make piles of items they intend to buy. I encourage folks who visit my sale to do so; they can't pick up other items to buy if their hands of full. As a seller I will not sell someone an item they have pilfered out of someone's pile and most sellers in these parts won’t either. A word of warning, in the South if you do something a reprehensible as to try to buy an item someone has in their hands, not only is the seller very unlikely to sell it to you, but even if he/she does, you are much more likely to leave with a swollen lip then the item. I too visit many garage sales every weekend to find items to resale, and I conduct my own garage sales a couple of times a year. However, unlike the author, I manage to do so without being a pompous ass. I don’t know what part of the country the author hails from, but down in south garage sales are a way of life. It is very common for folks at sales to make piles of items they intend to buy. I encourage folks who visit my sale to do so; they can’t pick up other items to buy if their hands of full. As a seller I will not sell someone an item they have pilfered out of someone’s pile and most sellers in these parts won’t either. A word of warning, in the South if you do something a reprehensible as to try to buy an item someone has in their hands, not only is the seller very unlikely to sell it to you, but even if he/she does, you are much more likely to leave with a swollen lip then the item.

]]> By: Lisa Mull http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/mythical-buyers-code-conduct/comment-page-1#comment-23959 Lisa Mull Wed, 04 Aug 2010 16:08:44 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2492325#comment-23959 I have great manners, and I don't even have a church to go to. (Don't like 'em.) I think Harry is a hoot, and that we could all learn a thing or two from him. Otherwise, why are we reading his column? Anyhoo, I, too, have experienced many of the poor manners of people as both buyer and seller. Recently I saw a lady looking at some china I had looked at, put back, and then went back for. I asked her if she was going to buy it. She didn't know, and I said that I would appreciate it if she would let me know when she decided. I figured that was the end of it. She later came back to me and said she was going to keep it. I ended up buying the other items, which should net me $200, as it turns out. This was not a fancy auction. This was at Goodwill. I have great manners, and I don’t even have a church to go to. (Don’t like ‘em.) I think Harry is a hoot, and that we could all learn a thing or two from him. Otherwise, why are we reading his column? Anyhoo, I, too, have experienced many of the poor manners of people as both buyer and seller. Recently I saw a lady looking at some china I had looked at, put back, and then went back for. I asked her if she was going to buy it. She didn’t know, and I said that I would appreciate it if she would let me know when she decided. I figured that was the end of it. She later came back to me and said she was going to keep it. I ended up buying the other items, which should net me $200, as it turns out. This was not a fancy auction. This was at Goodwill.

]]> By: Mary http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/mythical-buyers-code-conduct/comment-page-1#comment-23620 Mary Tue, 27 Jul 2010 01:24:51 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2492325#comment-23620 Oh heavens. I loved this article by Harry Rinker and all accompanying comments! We live in a small town so we must run the sales with the same folks year after year. So many tricks! It is funny. A mother and daughter team up to go into a sale where there is a line waiting to get in. The mother goes up the stairs so slowly and lingers in the doorway allowing the daughter a nice head start in front of her. A husband drives his wife right up the driveway to the sale if possible then backs out and slowly moves away blocking many a driver and other sale goers from getting to the sale quickly. The same wife will jump out of the moving vehicle if she can't wait for it to stop. Both of those twosomes are known for getting the best items and beating most of us to the "finds". Oh heavens. I loved this article by Harry Rinker and all accompanying comments!
We live in a small town so we must run the sales with the same folks year after year. So many tricks! It is funny. A mother and daughter team up to go into a sale where there is a line waiting to get in. The mother goes up the stairs so slowly and lingers in the doorway allowing the daughter a nice head start in front of her. A husband drives his wife right up the driveway to the sale if possible then backs out and slowly moves away blocking many a driver and other sale goers from getting to the sale quickly. The same wife will jump out of the moving vehicle if she can’t wait for it to stop. Both of those twosomes are known for getting the best items and beating most of us to the “finds”.

]]> By: christine http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/mythical-buyers-code-conduct/comment-page-1#comment-23618 christine Mon, 26 Jul 2010 23:24:00 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2492325#comment-23618 No item is worth that much to make me look like a fool. I would of definitely waited till the lady was done and then had a look. Manners anyone? No item is worth that much to make me look like a fool. I would of definitely waited till the lady was done and then had a look. Manners anyone?

]]> By: Debra http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/mythical-buyers-code-conduct/comment-page-1#comment-23607 Debra Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:45:13 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2492325#comment-23607 As I stated above we yard sale for a living. most of the time I tell the seller that is what I am doing...and I tell them if they can not negotiate the price thats fine...but that I can not buy at that price...wish them luck with their sale and move on. Many times they will ask what I can pay for a item. I tell them and if they can work with that price we deal if not no hard feelings. At times they will ask me what a piece should sell for in the area and I tell them what I can sell it for in my market. Sometimes they reprice to make more money sometimes they sell to me, sometimes they reprice lower, And of course there are those who look at me like I have lost my mind. If I look around at a sale and everything there is way over priced compared to what I am willing to pay I generally dont bother unless there is an item I am especially interested in. Some yard sales we go to we call museums (you can look but you will not be buying from them)I went to a yardsale recently that had a sign on the tree in the yard saying Make offer. :) they did not care for my offers, but there were no hurt feelings. Anyway you look at it people either want to be rid of the stuff and dont care about the money(rare) or they think it is worth as much as they paid for it (it isnt) or they fall in between and those are the ones most common and those are the ones I generally buy from. Happy hunting to all. Debra As I stated above we yard sale for a living. most of the time I tell the seller that is what I am doing…and I tell them if they can not negotiate the price thats fine…but that I can not buy at that price…wish them luck with their sale and move on. Many times they will ask what I can pay for a item. I tell them and if they can work with that price we deal if not no hard feelings. At times they will ask me what a piece should sell for in the area and I tell them what I can sell it for in my market. Sometimes they reprice to make more money sometimes they sell to me, sometimes they reprice lower, And of course there are those who look at me like I have lost my mind. If I look around at a sale and everything there is way over priced compared to what I am willing to pay I generally dont bother unless there is an item I am especially interested in. Some yard sales we go to we call museums (you can look but you will not be buying from them)I went to a yardsale recently that had a sign on the tree in the yard saying Make offer. :) they did not care for my offers, but there were no hurt feelings. Anyway you look at it people either want to be rid of the stuff and dont care about the money(rare) or they think it is worth as much as they paid for it (it isnt) or they fall in between and those are the ones most common and those are the ones I generally buy from. Happy hunting to all. Debra

]]> By: Bill Castle http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/mythical-buyers-code-conduct/comment-page-1#comment-23604 Bill Castle Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:25:02 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2492325#comment-23604 Whew! What a tempest! Personally, I do try to be polite, but I also a have low tolerance for someone that isn't. As most have said, SUV lady would have gotten an earful. I liked the one that said they'd buy the whole box out from under her. I'd have probably just ignored her. If she persisted, I'd ask if she owned the items in question, otherwise, shut it. I have run into a lot of people that do resent the fact that I'm buying for resale. I've seen it pretty much everywhere except auctions. They seem to feel I'm ripping them off because I'm trying to make money, even when I pay whatever they're asking. When I'm having a sale, I don't care what you do with it afterward. I made my money. Whew! What a tempest!

Personally, I do try to be polite, but I also a have low tolerance for someone that isn’t. As most have said, SUV lady would have gotten an earful. I liked the one that said they’d buy the whole box out from under her. I’d have probably just ignored her. If she persisted, I’d ask if she owned the items in question, otherwise, shut it.

I have run into a lot of people that do resent the fact that I’m buying for resale. I’ve seen it pretty much everywhere except auctions. They seem to feel I’m ripping them off because I’m trying to make money, even when I pay whatever they’re asking. When I’m having a sale, I don’t care what you do with it afterward. I made my money.

]]> By: Paul http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/mythical-buyers-code-conduct/comment-page-1#comment-23587 Paul Sun, 25 Jul 2010 19:03:11 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2492325#comment-23587 Come on Harry is just giving his opinion. We ALL have one, don't we. BUT try living in San Francisco, CA where little Asian women try to take things out of your hands that you have already picked up! That is RUDE! I usually say, " Excuse me but this is an item I picked up. Touch it again and I'll knock you crazy." They usually just stare at me, frown and don't say a word! I think they feel if they do what they do that Americans will just give in, sorry not this guy. Oh and another thing because I am a man NO I will not give it up for a woman. I am pleasant and with most women shoppers we have fun and talk about our purchases but those who push, shove, grab or otherwise have opened a door to have it done back to them...Eye for an Eye! Come on Harry is just giving his opinion. We ALL have one, don’t we. BUT try living in San Francisco, CA where little Asian women try to take things out of your hands that you have already picked up! That is RUDE! I usually say, ” Excuse me but this is an item I picked up. Touch it again and I’ll knock you crazy.” They usually just stare at me, frown and don’t say a word! I think they feel if they do what they do that Americans will just give in, sorry not this guy. Oh and another thing because I am a man NO I will not give it up for a woman. I am pleasant and with most women shoppers we have fun and talk about our purchases but those who push, shove, grab or otherwise have opened a door to have it done back to them…Eye for an Eye!

]]> By: Sledge740 http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/mythical-buyers-code-conduct/comment-page-1#comment-23565 Sledge740 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 10:15:15 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2492325#comment-23565 I have had people buy things that I was looking at. They drove up walked to the seller and paid for items that other people were looking at (had in their hand). I have settled disputes with competitors by a flip of a coin, the seller and other customers were amazed at this method of settling who buys. At auctions I have sold items out of boxes I purchased for more than the box cost me and I have had items disappear out of my boxes. There are ethical buyers and unethical buyers. I have had people buy things that I was looking at. They drove up walked to the seller and paid for items that other people were looking at (had in their hand). I have settled disputes with competitors by a flip of a coin, the seller and other customers were amazed at this method of settling who buys. At auctions I have sold items out of boxes I purchased for more than the box cost me and I have had items disappear out of my boxes. There are ethical buyers and unethical buyers.

]]> By: Tom Scruggs http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/mythical-buyers-code-conduct/comment-page-1#comment-23559 Tom Scruggs Sat, 24 Jul 2010 02:36:17 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2492325#comment-23559 I had a yard sale when I was preparing for a move to another city. It was advertised to begin at 8 am. At 6:30 I had already begun setting up and I came up from the basement to find a man in my living room going through my possessions on my shelves as if everything were on sale. He was wearing a raincoat even thought it was a sunny, hot September day. I screamed "What are you doing in here?" and he said he was just hoping for some early bargains. But then I realized he was wearing the coat on and reached around him and pulled it open. I didn't find anything. He couldn't have been in the house long or I would have heard him walking around. Another time I was helping a friend who was moving out of state. We had certain closets taped shut and hallways blocked, with signs indicating "Nothing in this area is for Sale." We repeatedly found people pulling the tape off the closets to see what was in them, even climbing over the blockades to the hallways. One man was snooping around so much inside and out and asking so many questions about the house that we called 911. We had told him the house was sold, so he was obviously us to something besides shopping for bargains. We weren't comfortable asking him to leave. Of course the police couldn't do anything, but we knew once he knew they had "met" him he wouldn't be back. My point is, there is one huge rule of behavior at garage/yard sales. Stay out of areas that aren't obviously part of the sale area. I had a yard sale when I was preparing for a move to another city. It was advertised to begin at 8 am. At 6:30 I had already begun setting up and I came up from the basement to find a man in my living room going through my possessions on my shelves as if everything were on sale. He was wearing a raincoat even thought it was a sunny, hot September day. I screamed “What are you doing in here?” and he said he was just hoping for some early bargains. But then I realized he was wearing the coat on and reached around him and pulled it open. I didn’t find anything. He couldn’t have been in the house long or I would have heard him walking around.

Another time I was helping a friend who was moving out of state. We had certain closets taped shut and hallways blocked, with signs indicating “Nothing in this area is for Sale.” We repeatedly found people pulling the tape off the closets to see what was in them, even climbing over the blockades to the hallways. One man was snooping around so much inside and out and asking so many questions about the house that we called 911. We had told him the house was sold, so he was obviously us to something besides shopping for bargains. We weren’t comfortable asking him to leave. Of course the police couldn’t do anything, but we knew once he knew they had “met” him he wouldn’t be back.

My point is, there is one huge rule of behavior at garage/yard sales. Stay out of areas that aren’t obviously part of the sale area.

]]> By: Barbara Jersey http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/mythical-buyers-code-conduct/comment-page-1#comment-23556 Barbara Jersey Sat, 24 Jul 2010 01:41:26 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2492325#comment-23556 Oh, get a grip! I have been in this business for almost 40 years and Harry is a personal friend of mine. In fact, I consider him a mentor. Does he have definite and outspoken ideas about things? You bet! I have always thought it refreshing that he states his highly opinionated opinion! I have not seen him be unkind or unfair to sellers. It is a highly personal idea what something is worth. We all have our choice to voice it or stay silent. As sellers we have the right to say Yeah or Nay, end of story. As a buyer I do all that Harry says - I hit many, many sales a day, and have little time to shoot the breeze or wait for someone to decide what they want. I will ask politely if they have something they are mulling over in their hands and ask if they are seriously going to buy it. If the answer is sketchy then I will tell them I want it and wait for them to release it. I don't tear it from their grasp! If you think that historically the people who amassed great wealth in art and antiques did not fight for it, you are mistaken. The term "picker" was created 200 years ago when men walked the countryside, knocking on doors and asking if the inhabitants had anything of value to sell. Some had scruples, some did not. We cannot be our brothers keeper, but we can keep our own countenance. I have learned to be tolerant of others at sales, while I stay the path of asking for what I want and continuing on my way. This is called being a business person rather than a hobbiest. Decide what you are. Oh, get a grip! I have been in this business for almost 40 years and Harry is a personal friend of mine. In fact, I consider him a mentor. Does he have definite and outspoken ideas about things? You bet! I have always thought it refreshing that he states his highly opinionated opinion!

I have not seen him be unkind or unfair to sellers. It is a highly personal idea what something is worth. We all have our choice to voice it or stay silent. As sellers we have the right to say Yeah or Nay, end of story. As a buyer I do all that Harry says – I hit many, many sales a day, and have little time to shoot the breeze or wait for someone to decide what they want. I will ask politely if they have something they are mulling over in their hands and ask if they are seriously going to buy it. If the answer is sketchy then I will tell them I want it and wait for them to release it. I don’t tear it from their grasp!

If you think that historically the people who amassed great wealth in art and antiques did not fight for it, you are mistaken. The term “picker” was created 200 years ago when men walked the countryside, knocking on doors and asking if the inhabitants had anything of value to sell. Some had scruples, some did not. We cannot be our brothers keeper, but we can keep our own countenance. I have learned to be tolerant of others at sales, while I stay the path of asking for what I want and continuing on my way. This is called being a business person rather than a hobbiest. Decide what you are.

]]> By: Marcia Hale http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/mythical-buyers-code-conduct/comment-page-1#comment-23545 Marcia Hale Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:35:59 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2492325#comment-23545 Despite my seller's name "Cranky Cowgirl", I am appalled at Mr. Rinker's attitude. I have been conducting an estate sale before I need to sale of my lifetime of collecting. The buyers who get the best deal from me are the ones who are courteous, not insulting, and equally so to the other shoppers. One bad apple being an ass to another shopper can ruin your entire shopping atmosphere. I simply do not allow rudeness to me nor to the other customers. While I'm on my soapbox, I have no patience for professional flea market/garage salers or dealers coming up to me and offering me an insulting low ball offer, as if I have no idea what I'm selling. I"m always open to dickering, I am not open to rude behavior and trying to pass yourself off as somehow more informed than myself who has collected the stuff for years and years. I will be so glad to get rid of everything and never have to deal with the too many people who are like Mr. Rinker. And I say that with some dismay as I have always found his columns and his tv show entertaining and interesting. I have a whole new view. Come into my sale and act that way, and I'll show you to the garden gate. (And that goes double for SUV lady...clearly her mother did not live long enough to slap the crap out of her daughter). Despite my seller’s name “Cranky Cowgirl”, I am appalled at Mr. Rinker’s attitude. I have been conducting an estate sale before I need to sale of my lifetime of collecting. The buyers who get the best deal from me are the ones who are courteous, not insulting, and equally so to the other shoppers. One bad apple being an ass to another shopper can ruin your entire shopping atmosphere. I simply do not allow rudeness to me nor to the other customers. While I’m on my soapbox, I have no patience for professional flea market/garage salers or dealers coming up to me and offering me an insulting low ball offer, as if I have no idea what I’m selling. I”m always open to dickering, I am not open to rude behavior and trying to pass yourself off as somehow more informed than myself who has collected the stuff for years and years. I will be so glad to get rid of everything and never have to deal with the too many people who are like Mr. Rinker. And I say that with some dismay as I have always found his columns and his tv show entertaining and interesting. I have a whole new view. Come into my sale and act that way, and I’ll show you to the garden gate. (And that goes double for SUV lady…clearly her mother did not live long enough to slap the crap out of her daughter).

]]> By: Blake Blewitt http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/mythical-buyers-code-conduct/comment-page-1#comment-23513 Blake Blewitt Fri, 23 Jul 2010 03:48:04 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2492325#comment-23513 I agree with this column...there are no rules nor a formal code of conduct. The same goes for society. Sales are a free for all. After reading this I will be stepping up my game - I will not accept no as an answer. I will out crank the crankiest. I also hereby vow to peel "sold" stickers with impunity at the next sale. I have no second thoughts on the matter and will not give my behavior a second thought while attending church. I agree with this column…there are no rules nor a formal code of conduct. The same goes for society. Sales are a free for all. After reading this I will be stepping up my game – I will not accept no as an answer. I will out crank the crankiest. I also hereby vow to peel “sold” stickers with impunity at the next sale. I have no second thoughts on the matter and will not give my behavior a second thought while attending church.

]]> By: Carolyn O'Bayley http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/mythical-buyers-code-conduct/comment-page-1#comment-23512 Carolyn O'Bayley Fri, 23 Jul 2010 03:04:40 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2492325#comment-23512 At what point does civility stop and mayhem step in? I find Mr Rinkers attitude a bit alarming. But then again, today's society seems perfectly OK with grafitti, foul language and rude behavior. I for one, refuse to participate. I may miss a "great buy" or "treasure" but at least I can look in the mirror in the morning and worship in my church of choice on the weekend. At what point does civility stop and mayhem step in? I find Mr Rinkers attitude a bit alarming. But then again, today’s society seems perfectly OK with grafitti, foul language and rude behavior. I for one, refuse to participate. I may miss a “great buy” or “treasure” but at least I can look in the mirror in the morning and worship in my church of choice on the weekend.

]]> By: Debra http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/mythical-buyers-code-conduct/comment-page-1#comment-23506 Debra Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:29:04 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2492325#comment-23506 I am with you it is a good thing I was not the one the suv person was talking to. my response would likly have been to pick the box ask how much and buy the whole box with her standing there. We yard sale for a living and have decided what we are buying in alot of cases before we get out of the truck and when possible tag team the yard sale. we are courteous and polite but we are also swift and decisive. we are not shopping we are buying. I am with you it is a good thing I was not the one the suv person was talking to. my response would likly have been to pick the box ask how much and buy the whole box with her standing there. We yard sale for a living and have decided what we are buying in alot of cases before we get out of the truck and when possible tag team the yard sale. we are courteous and polite but we are also swift and decisive. we are not shopping we are buying.

]]> By: Christian Calloway http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/mythical-buyers-code-conduct/comment-page-1#comment-23501 Christian Calloway Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:21:15 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2492325#comment-23501 What an incredible idiot. You write just to hear yourself talk. You touch a single item in my pile and I will break your finger. Literally. You are like the real stupid ones who come to a yard sale and pay as you go. Spending 80 percent more than the buyer that piles and offers real low. I buy cheap and resell to idiots like you. Collect away my friend, get in my way at a yardsale and pull your crap and you will find your dentures shoved up your arse. What an incredible idiot. You write just to hear yourself talk. You touch a single item in my pile and I will break your finger. Literally. You are like the real stupid ones who come to a yard sale and pay as you go. Spending 80 percent more than the buyer that piles and offers real low. I buy cheap and resell to idiots like you. Collect away my friend, get in my way at a yardsale and pull your crap and you will find your dentures shoved up your arse.

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