The "No" Words

Rosie W. here offering some “editorial comment” about certain buzz words in yard sale ads that tamp down my expectations for said sale.

*Hunting/fishing items: “Not Sarah”

*Xmas items: “Enough, overkill!”

*VHS Tapes: “Dinosaurs”

*Almost new country items….:”Ahem…like ducks with bows? No thanks”

*Whatnots/Knickknacks: “Dust”

*Home Interior: “Not my taste, boring and probably made in China”

*Muzzle Loader: “Again, not Sarah, and try the Pawn Shop, dude”

*Large Bird Cage: “Huh? Just how large IS this bird?”

*Coach Bags, and Nine West Shoes: “Retired and giving up the Marlo Thomas ‘professional’ look”

*Canned Food: “Is this a sign of the times? Try food pantry donation folks or just throw away if old…..ick!”

*Nordic Trac: “A White Elephant of the Yard Sale circuit….we found ours at the dump”

*Stuffed Animals: “Fleas, drool, mold and dust…..”

*Beanie Babies, Avon Bottles, and other “collectibles” : “If you dig clutter…”

Rosie P. would like to add some further comments after reviewing local and regional craigslist ads.

Out of Jefferson ,NC---Canned Foods and seasonal decorations. I am pretty certain that this topped my list of garage sales that I had no interest in perusing. Yikes! Naturally, I found that the term "seasonal decorations" can be said in a wide variety of ways, such as " Christmas and fall decorations, decorative holiday items, holiday decor, and just plain Christmas." All were used to describe the offerings of sellers across the region. Rosie W. and I agree on this one. Maybe we are just both naturalists/minimalists when it comes to Santa and the holiday season.

I also agree with "antiques and collectibles" statement. If they are so interesting and sought after, then the seller should identify them for the buying public. These terms do not make me circle a sale and put it on my list. I am also a little bit wary of the "homemade goods" that are advertised. This is a personal preference, but it kind of creeps me out. I am not supportive of selling food, donuts, hotdogs, popcorn, brownies, cookies, etc. at sales. The only time I find an exception to this rule is a church sale with a kitchen where you can see and smell them cooking the food. This erases any mental images I have of someone cooking the food in their homes with who knows what going on in there.

Electronics, crafts, and pocketbooks. These are just a few more to add to my list.

ODDS and INS --out of Asheville, NC. This just cracked me up and I had to share it !

Our next blog will focus on key words or phrases in ads that catch our eye and make us add them to our Saturday morning lists. We would love to hear from you and know which catch words turn off your interest. Happy Hunting!

BUM Fall Bazaar Sale

On the eve of the BIG sale at Boone United Methodist, we’d like to offer a few hints for easier hunting because the sale itself can be quite overwhelming. You will find stations with items covering the entire campus of BUM, and that includes outside.

Here’s what to expect:

The entire hall in the left wing will be divided into stations offering the following:

BOUTIQUE

CHILDREN’S CLOTHING

WOMEN’S CLOTHING

MEN’S CLOTHING

ACCESSORIES

FURNITURE

ELECTRONICS

Outside you will find larger items and odds and ends like lampshades, grills, gardening supplies.

In the Commons Area (place where Spring sale is held) you can expect to find small household items, books, and food to eat on site or baked goods for takeout.

The doors open at 8am and you can be sure that the line will begin to form by 7:30 am. In line you will see some of the Boone “regulars” along with some dealers and “flippers”. So be prepared to beat the latter two in your hunt! And we’ll be cheering for all the Rosebuds!

Make sure you can be as “hands free” as possible as you dive into all the stashes of goods. Rosie W. will be wearing a fanny pack that has the Altoids can stuffed with small bills, and using a rolling cart to haul tomorrow’s treasures.

Leave the sandals at home to avoid a toe crushing experience and wear comfortable shoes and clothing.

You may want to re-read our earlier blog, “Label Whores”, to get a sense of what clothing is most valued, and to avoid paying a high price for a WalMart brand item.

Everything goes half price on Saturday, and you can often unearth some great finds that have been overlooked in Friday’s madness, so don’t despair if you miss the first day.

Thrift away, Rosebuds!

Our Mission Statement

After months of questioning coupled with a great deal of contemplation and discussion, the Secondhand Rosies would like to submit their unique mission statement to the world. We are hoping that this will dispel any rumors regarding our intentions and will allow us to just "be" the crazy pure hearted women that we truly are. Enjoy!

"What the Rosie's are NOT"

* A store or business
* "Flippers" who ransack sales to resell for profit
* Personal shoppers for the public
* Part of any "get rich quick" scheme
* Antique dealers

Call us crazy! But we are only in this for fun and to share and celebrate
our passion with others. We welcome you on board for the ride, and we
hope that our "Mission Statement" below gives you the road map for our
journey.
Our goal is to assist and promote non-profit organizations in their
attempts to fundraise through the resale of items, such as running thrift stores,
hosting annual organizational sales, or just organizing a first time garage sale.
We strive to provide ongoing commentary on the local
garage sale/thrift store/resale scene and promote discussion regarding this subculture. We attempt to use personal insight and life experience to detail the social aspects, motivations, and habits of the modern day hunter gatherers among us.

Happy Hunting!

Rosie W. &Rosie P.

The BIG SALE: Survival Guide and History

The Big Sale

Rosie W.’s Guide to the Legends Sale

*Get in line before 8am if you need excitement
*Wear comfortable closed toe shoes
*It’s good to bring your own sturdy bag or rolling cart
*Don’t carry a purse. Use a fanny pack or a wallet in a pocket.
*Prepare for heat and humidity inside

Now, where to begin?
OUTSIDE:
The outside area is usually jam packed with plastic containers, plastic racks, and other storage items as well as dishware and leftover dorm food (phewy, no ramen noodles for the Rosies).
The outside area that faces Red Onion is usually where the furniture and rugs are displayed.
INSIDE:
Front right: costumes, makeup, wrapping paper, jewelry, odds and ends.
Front left: posters
Mid left: big draw here with electronics, fans, and assorted “musts” for dorm rooms, so you will be in competition with new students and their parents.
Middle/middle: Clothing. Lots of clothing, prepare to dig and bump elbows. Some of the clothing may be in piles on the floor.
Middle right: usually shoes, but last year it changed a bit. This is a stage area, so you have to climb onto this platform, and it can be chaotic.
Back: Tons of bedding and linens. Again, prepare to dig.

Bathrooms are in the very back of this space.

Prices are usually cut in the late morning.

Remember that proceeds go to various local charities, so don’t fret if you over stuff. There’s always someone who could use one of your treasures.
************************************************************************
On the eve of the BIG SALE at ASU, I, Rosie W., wanted to look into the history of the sale as well as the community involvement component. Over 350 volunteer hours were accumulated in order to put on this year’s sale.
This information was gathered using the following three web sites with much of it taken directly:
http://act.appstate.edu/pagesmith/189
http://act.appstate.edu/bigsale
http://act.appstate.edu/pagesmith/192
“This event is open to the whole community and benefits the energy efficiency initiatives of 4 local organizations and a scholarship for ASU students. This year's energy efficient mini-grants recipients are: Western Youth Network, Mountain Alliance, Holston Presbytery Camp and Retreat Center, and Appalachian Child Development Center.”
BIG Sale Fun Facts:
Over 65 TONS of material was diverted from landfills last year
· $13,500 was raised to benefit the energy conservation initiatives of four local community partners*
· Over the past 10 years, thousands of students, staff, faculty, and community members got amazing deals on carpet, furniture, electronics, and so much more!
http://act.appstate.edu/bigsale
This event has a long history spanning over the last decade. “The BIG Sale was started in 2000 by a student, Natalie Knight, who realized the large amounts of "trash" that students were throwing away at the end of the school year. She started by collecting items herself and donating them to OASIS, a domestic abuse shelter. The volume of stuff became too much for her or OASIS to handle so she hooked up with a group called Dump and Run, a national organization that helps organize events like The BIG Sale on college campuses.
The following year, in 2001, was the inaugural BIG Sale in the form that it is today. The first sale took place on Duck Pond Field and raised $3342.27 for Watauga Department of Social Services Foster Care program.”
The event has continued to grow over the years with an expansion not only in the funds that were raised, but also in the scope of the local non-profits that benefit from it. The following details were taken directly from the web page http://act.appstate.edu/pagesmith/192.
2002: $3100 for Watauga 4-H
2003: $3700 for Stop the Litter! Initiative
2004: $5300 for Mountain Alliance and for New River Earth Institute
2005: $6300 for Legal Aid of North Carolina (Boone) and High Country Amigos
2006: $7100 for Juvenile Crime Prevention Council and Hospice
2007: $10,400 for Ashe County Partnership for Children, Hunger and Health Coalition, The Children's Playhouse, and The Hospitality House
**2007 marks the first year of the "Go Green to Save Green" mini-grant program for improving energy efficiency in the facilities of our community partner organizations.**
2008: $11000 for Mountain Pathways Montessori School, Mountain Alliance, WeCAN, and Legal Aid of North Carolina (Boone)
**Beginning in 2008, in addition to the energy efficiency mini-grants, proceeds from the BIG Sale also contribute to an on-campus fund established to promote international service-learning.**
2009: proceeds will benefit the Health and Hunger Coalition, The Children's Playhouse, Mountain Alliance, and Sugar Grove Developmental Dayschool
http://act.appstate.edu/pagesmith/192
ASU runs a program called Don’t Throw It Away and this is the collection point beginning for the Big Sale.
How does it work?
Students are asked to donate items in good condition that they would normally throw away at the end of the year or that they don't need anymore. Mostly anything is accepted! From shower caddies, lamps, and futons to clean carpets and non-perishable food items.
These items are dropped off in designated boxes located on the first floor of each residence hall.
Items are picked up nightly during the final exam period by wonderful volunteers. Volunteers are comprised of students, staff, and community members.
Items are transported to Legend's where they are stored for the summer to be sold at the beginning of the fall semester at The BIG Sale.
http://act.appstate.edu/pagesmith/189

In conclusion, this sale is one of the highlights of the High Country garage sale season. Its benefits permeate the local community and environment on multiple levels. It is truly an EVENT worth attending. Hope to see you there. Happy hunting!

Why the Church Rummage Sale?

Why the Church Rummage Sale?


I, Rosie P., was recently asked this question by one of our devout Rosebuds and it got me thinking….. typically, when I am making my weekly route, I place the church rummage sale at the top or very close to the top of my list. Is this a rational decision or an emotional one? In my mind, the church rummage has a wide variety of individuals donating to it; therefore, a better chance of striking it lucky. More to sell and all in one place. Seems like a no brainer to me. Also, I appreciate that churches have sales to fund mission trips, new roofs, or as fundraisers for local charities. This all suits my sense of a “good cause.” Sometimes, this assumption does not pan out and church sales can be a big bummer, but I still go. This is the emotional part of the church rummage. Coming from the Midwest, where Catholics and Lutherans abound, the church rummage sale was a part of my religious, cultural experience. It was a very popular way for churches to make money. I grew up on the Illinois side of St. Louis, Mo. in what would now be called a suburb. Thirty years ago, it was just a cozy German Catholic town settled on the bend of the Mississippi River. With a population of 35,000 and over a dozen Catholic Churches, the rummage sale was something that my grandma had marked on her calendar year after year. This was my thrifting boot camp, where I learned not only about the sense of a faith community, but also about the true meaning of the bag sale, how to dig through piles of clothes, roll them up tightly, shove them in a plastic bag, and fill up the trunk of the Chevy Nova with all of our finds. I remember those days with a huge smile on my heart. Of course, I do not hold all church rummage sales in such high esteem as those from my early years.
At times, I would assert that some churches suffer from the annual “Church Rummage Sale Fatigue” (CRSF). I propose that many factors play into fatigue. A bad economy plays a definite role. The same members putting it on year after year, the same households giving to the event, people run out of things to donate and this creates a less satisfying shopping experience for the yard saler as well as less income for the church. This can then create a downward spiral. Anyone who has orchestrated one of these sales knows the importance of good advertising, good pricing, organized display, quality items, and a wide selection. Once the donations begin to slip, it is hard to get back on the right track. Yard salers know that CRSF has set in. Solutions might include an every other year sale with rotating committee members and an ongoing storage space for donations that might fall on the off years.
In closing, church rummage sales will always be close to my heart as they were the avenue that let me cut my teeth as a young hunter gatherer. Even when I think that the church is too small or they are showing telltale signs of CRSF, I will be there with money in my pocket and a hopeful spirit. Happy Hunting folks! I will see you at the next rummage sale.

Rosie W.'s Church Sale Overview

Church sales during the 2010 Season have been less exciting than usual, and I am putting all my eggs in the St. Luke’s basket for Saturday. This church always hosts a sale with little treasures and great variety, although in recent years their decision to eliminate clothing has been a disappointment.
I share with Rosie P. the sentiment about giving a church sale priority over a private sale since it is guaranteed abundance with donations coming from church members. The down side is that I err on the side of purchasing more simply to support a good cause. There’s always someone who benefits from these impulsive moments, right?
So, St. Luke’s , get ready, we’re headed for the dishes, linens, jewelry, and art first, then round it out by viewing this year’s selection of plants and books with a quick sweep around the silent auction and a few munchies from the food booth.
And this sale will be held rain or shine they say……

the Adventures of the Saturday Morning Hunter Gatherers 07/31/10

July 31 dawned with the promise of being a banner yard sale day. Sales galore, and covering them all looked to be the challenge. This soon changed when an early and unexpected cool rain hit the area and lingered for most of the morning.
The Rosies hooked up at 7:45 am at Greenway Baptist after Rosie P. had already scanned Wintergreen and the “Back to School” sale on 105. Sadly, the usual treasures were not to be found at Greenway Baptist Church this year. Both of us left empty handed.
We stopped by Bent and Straight Street only to find empty tents and no signs of life or commerce. But we put it on our list for a “drive by” later.
By the time we reached Dr. Forbes parking lot it was pouring rain, but the sale was in full swing under the front porch. Rosie P. found an assortment of older Fisher Price toys priced at $1 each, and Rosie W. found a brand new Coldwater Creek jacket (price tags still attached) for $1. Kudos, and a dozen roses to these folks for having a sale that offered variety and fair pricing.
Next stop was up Howard’s Creek to a tony new development and a sale down a long driveway. There we found a moose head, “no thanks”, and a few other oddities. But Rosie W. bought some well worn wind chimes for her cabin. Rosie P. would have purchased the old wool blankets for rug making, but they were priced too high.
On to Todd Community park…we figured that the sale would happen under the picnic shelter despite the rain….WRONG…it was cancelled.
We need to throw a few bathroom breaks into this tale by now…..but we eventually made our way back to town and back to Bent and Straight Streets.
Eeeek,no sign of life YET, but the rain had stopped, and their signs were still up. Soooo….Rosie W. decided to be brazen and get these folks going! (30 years of Social Work makes one either brave or stupid about knocking on stranger’s doors). With Rosie P. waiting in the car with the dogs, Rosie W. went looking for the sellers.
“Hello…hello….are you having a sale….” “Uhhhhh, yeah, uhhhh, we’re just waiting…..”
Well, that’s all it took, and these lovely young sellers (students) finally got it together and began hauling out all sorts of treasures.
By far, this was our best sale of the day, and we’re sorry that other Rosebuds may have missed this one due to the late start time.
We were there close to an hour and we amassed quite a pile of assorted goods: Jewelry, vinyl records (25 cents each), clothing, and books (hardbound copy of Middlesex). And we surely made some new friends and Rosebuds! The sellers were delighted to be rousted into action by the Rosies; so much so that they GAVE us a hand stenciled shirt that bears the advertisement for their yard sale. We promise to have this artifact on display at our event on August 11.
A good day, and a trunk full of happiness.

Yard Sale Dictionary Terms

As the Rosies were preparing for the first Rosebud gathering at the Watauga Public Library, Rosie P. began to do some research regarding media and the garage sale phenomenon. The easiest information was located through a Wikipedia search and this unveiled the path to the "Yard Sale Dictionary." Somewhere in the past, I have run into these terms before, but they were long forgotten. I want to give credit where credit is due and let you know that the following information was uncovered on August 1, 2010 at www.thundergroundfilms.com/zen/ysdictionary.com. A film was made , but remains unreleased, in 2004 entitled "Zen in the Art of Yard Sailing." These names and definitions were created through that project. If it ever does get released, the Secondhand Rosies will do their best to get a copy of it for the viewing enjoyment of all.

Yard Sale Dictionary Terms

Bake Sale When an angry spouse, ex-girlfriend, or ex-boyfriend sells off their partner's belongings at ridiculously low prices out of spite. A classic example of a Bake Sale is the yardsale scene in Waiting to Exhale. Beaded (aka Munsoned) When a naive vendor is outfoxed by a savvy shopper resulting in a Manhattan. Lawn gypsies thrive and gain pleasure from Beading.Buffing When a vendor makes a point to emphasize even the most minute of qualities an item holds to justify his asking price. The neutralizer of Roasting. Bundling See Grouping. Creepers Drivers that slow down and disrupt traffic in order to gauge a yardsale. D-Man The driver or the wheel man of a yardsailing team, never leaves the car, keeps time, does preliminary sweeps, must be well-versed in the ways of the streets and their currents, and carries the majority of the spending money.
Dan Quayle An unintentionally comedic yardsale sign that may contain misspelled words or inaccurate information. DOE Date Of Excluded; a sign lacking in vital information such as address, date, time, etc. English Channel Two or more simultaneous yardsales across the street from each other. Golden Weekends (aka GW) Weekends that fall on the last two days, or first two days of the month. people generally need money pretty bad during these times in order to pay their rent or their bills. Results in more yardsales and better bargains. Grouping (aka Bundling) A method of lowering individual asking prices by offering to buy several items all at once. Haggling A tug-of-war method of bargaining that usually results in acquiring goods typically at plus or minus 75% of the original asking price. Very time consuming and unprofessional. Jack The raising of an item's price. Knock An attempted outbid on an item in mid-bargain, may result in a jack. Lame Duck An expired yardsale sign. Proper etiquette dictates that these be removed once they are rendered invalid. Larboard The left side of the car.

Lawn Gypsy (aka Dealers aka Early Birds) Someone who pesters the vendor, typically by being too pushy or showing up way too early. A professional yardsailor without etiquette. Known to secretly have second-hand, antique, or novelty shops at which they resell yardsale-bought items at a ridiculous mark-up. Lawn Jockey A name given to a vendor that runs a weekend store. Lost Dog A term used for a sign that resembles a yardsale sign from the distance but isn't. Usually lost pet notices, advertisements, weight loss programs, summer jobs, etc. Mambo Combo A yardsale with two or more vendor parties that may or may not live in the same neighborhood. May be a strictly business partnership between strangers. The end result of piggy-backing. Similar to but differs from multi-family yardsales. Not to be confused with the grip stand. Manhattan A type of transaction in which an item of great worth is acquired for almost nothing in comparison to its actual value. Miracle Mile The white unicorn of yardsales, an extremely rare case in which a steady stream of yardsales stretches on for miles on end. The 127 sale in Alabama is a great example of this. Murphied The unscrupulous act of withholding valuable information from a shopper in hopes of making a sale. Nomad A deceitful lawn jockey that switches locations weekly. Known to squat. Pearl Harbor An invasion of lawn gypsies while still working a yardsale. Perpendicular A driving pattern which allows for questionable yardsales of the day, including DOEs, to be hit only if driving clockwise towards a nearby promising yardsale. Pickers A term that the yardsailing community commonly uses to refer to [unscrupulous] people who turn a profit from reselling yardsale-bought goods. Pros resent being classified as pickers seeing as how it puts them in the same category as lawn gypsies. Prosumer The highest level a bargain hunter can hope to achieve. Recon (aka Preliminary Sweep) Early morning reconnaissance mission for freshly posted yardsale signs or traffic obstructions due to construction or public events.

I pick and chose my favorite ones in an effort to make the list shorter. If you are interested in viewing this in its entirety , it is available at the aforementioned link. I hope that this brought a nice chuckle to your day and a wide smile to your face. As always, we would love to hear from you on the fan page. Which one of these best describes you? Are you a blend of a few characters or are you a pure? Do you think that the author describes the yard sale tactics realistically? Let us know. Happy Hunting Folks!