The Garage Sale Lady

27.08.10 / Uncategorized / Author: TWGranE
Tags: 8 tracks, advertising, bargains, Coca-Cola, garage sale, Hwy. 36, Kansas, Moving, Star Wars

The Garage Sale Lady

In working with the public during Ottawa’s citywide garage sale, community members come to be like a part of your family. When folks started calling work and asking for the “The Garage Sale Lady,” I knew I was doing something good. I feel connected to the people of the community. It is wonderful to work with people and share in a small part of their lives’ stories.

There was the young man who came in after just having gotten married and is starting a family. He is letting his Coca-cola collection go – cheap! He explains that it’s just stuff that is taking up room and he doesn’t need it. Then we get to the real reason. He has to choose between his Star Wars collection or Coca-cola. Star Wars wins hands down!

There is the woman with the excessive giggle that makes it sound as if she is having more of a party then a garage sale. She is so tickled that her husband has finally agreed to let go of his collections of 8-tracks tapes!

There is the garage-sale pro who needs to recycle her bought goods and probably will make a nice little profit. She plans her vacation around the Highway 36 Treasure Hunt (http://www.ushwy36.com/treasure.htm). She and her sister have a trailer and they re-visit their favorite haunts every year.

There are the virgins who call in and the first thing out of their mouths is, “I’ve never done anything like this before.” I walk them through the process: Address, Day, time, teaser items. It is quick and painless.

There are people moving out, moving in, having a baby, becoming empty nesters, getting married, getting divorced, but mostly getting by one garage sale at a time.