Yesterday I participated in the Giant Kids Garage sale. All table and door proceeds go to the La Leche League of Canada. It is an amazing sale to get everything you need for kids up to 12 years old for great prices. I was fortunate to get a table for the fall/winter sale, and again for the spring/summer sale.
This time I decided to offer very affordable prices (read: get rid of) my gently used kid items (read:stuff & junk). So, instead of pricing every item (read: I was pricing till 2am for the last sale, this time I wanted the no hassle approach) I decided everything would be priced at $1.00 - yep, everything, no matter the make or condition: pants, t-shirts, pullovers, shorts, overalls, sleepers, dresses - everything $1.00 - Old Navy, Oshkosh, Kushies, Teddy's Brand, The Children's Place...EVERYTHING $1.00!
Imagine my surprise when I witnessed someone shop-lift from my booth!
I was pretty busy (read: shoppers recognized all the great deals to be had at my table) and business was brisk (read: went with a van load of boxes and came home with 2 boxes of left overs!).
A lady in a handicap scooter came up to my table and started rummaging through one of my boxes full of pants. I saw her place 3 pairs of Oshkosh pants on her scooter, and then 1 or 2 overalls and then a bunch of t-shirts. I asked her if she wanted me to take them for her so she could continue shopping. She refused and kept going through different boxes. I should have noticed her nervousness.
I continued waiting on other people and pocketing a buck here and a few bucks there. I glanced over at the lady on the scooter and watched her pick up a few baby items and place them on top of the other items form my booth that were on the front section of her handle bars. Just as another customer started to bargain for a bulk buy, I heard the scooter lady say, "oh, maybe I do not need these after all." From the corner of my eye I saw her place the baby items back...and as she did, she pushed a plastic bag over the other items she had taken from my booth...and then drove off...yep, with the pants and overalls and t-shirts she had originally "looked at".
I did not have the time or energy to go after her...and I hope her need for those items is greater my need for the $6-10.00 I may have gotten from an honest person...and if her need is greater, then I am sad for her...I really am...(read: no one should have to steal $1.00 bargains to clothe their children, ever).
On a positive note, I made about $280.00 and I got some amazing deals on stuff my kids needed.
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12 comments:
That is very sad that someone would rip off a charity based garage sale.
But I think it's very nice of you to have the thought process of hopefully she needed them more than I did!!
Wow! 280 dollars? At one dollar a piece? You had a lot of clothes to sell, girl! That story made me pretty sad though, that someone of her age would steal, especially something that was so inexpensive in the first place. I just don't get humans sometimes. But I'm glad you made so much and got some great deals.
That's a shame...but I like your attitude. Let it go.
Good for you getting all that stuff out of your house. I'm in desperate need to do the same!
Heidi
What a great way to make almost 300 bucks though.
and yes, hopefully she needed the items & couldn't afford them...although, she seemed to have her scam down pretty well....hmmmm....
that's sad. I am with you on this with the let it go attitude. It makes me sad when people shoplift from the grocery store. No one should have to steal food. On a happier note, I need to have a yard sale soon, and donate a bunch of stuff. Hope you had a good weekend! :)
Sounds like other than the one woman, you had a great and busy day selling! The same thing happened to me at a tag sale at church we used to go to. The woman's son or grandson ended up inadvertently drawing our attention to what she was doing and she didn't get everything she had planned to take. My stuff was also about a dollar. Your attitude is great, though.
That is awesome that you made $280! And good for you for realizing that that lady is just sad.
wow $280! nice job! You should try out ebay...you could make a fortune!
That's so terrible. Cynical me is thinking- 'she probably took them for her ebay business and sold them for 5 times as much!'
I hope not.
Hugs!
First of all, that is a good idea & you did a great job!
I can't believe that woman. That is so sad that she took the clothes. I hope she really needed it for someone and it wasn't for her to make a profit on it.
Anabella
You made a lot of money! But, I would be so angry at that lady. I can see why you didn't go after her, but still. Come on! $1 an item? Give me a break.
Oh my goodness that is sad! Sad if she could afford it and sad if she couldn't...ugg.
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