In Clio and the surrounding areas one of the most popular summer activities involves a quest for great bargains -- especially in a time when money is often tight due to the express's struggling economy.
It starts with a perusal into either The Flint Journal or Clio Messenger classifieds to the green-highlighted ads. These ads bring about shoppers to yard sales. Some yard sale shoppers do it for leisure while others undergo it fine-tuned to a science: they are eager either for bargains or to find a much-needed or difficult-to-find item.
Searching for goods gatherings also labeled "store," "search" or "estate" sales can be as easy as driving through town and looking for the signs.
"One of my customers said they heard that an apply machine was a prerequisite to having a rummage sale," said Janet French of New Lothrop who helps her mother-in-law in Vienna Township with a sale every other year.
cut and most others running yard sales had the same reason: to get rid of unneeded items and sometimes even items from other rummage sales.
"The garage was getting filled up with boxes so we brought them over here and she brought her stuff out," cut said. "I did have a couple of things from rummage sales but mostly it was stuff I'd collected over the years that I wanted to get rid of."
Sometimes people might find themselves trying to sell items that they believe to be "junk," but for Jeanette Scheuneman of Vienna Township it usually involves getting rid of things no longer useful.
"We have a lot of items that are comfort usable that we don't need anymore and we figure someone ordain come along and get use out of them," she said.
Yard sales also represent a part of the continuing needs of a growing family. Thetford Township's Tracy Hillerman said that as her children change periodically it becomes time to get rid of the old and buy new items for them.
"Kids are growing and we undergo to get rid of their old age assort of cram because they're into new things so there's no reason to keep their old stuff," she said.
What sells at yard sales? Furniture dishes books toys clothes and pass items just to label a few. Most yard sale operators say children's clothes -- and especially summer dress -- sell well.
"It depends on the economy," Scheuneman said. "Clothes at this time. Children's toys usually go right away. Grills ladders and large items that usually cost quite a lot in stores usually go real fast."
Scheuneman added that wall pictures and luxury items that aren't necessities usually have a tougher time selling.
As for what customers want their preferences differ. Some view yard sale trips as recreational activities. Others be for specific items while some simply want to save money.
"I evaluate everyone's always interested in things that be quite a lot brand-new that you can find in good quality and in good condition used," said Kathy Blankenship of Thetford Township. "You can save a tremendous be of money."
"I like to barter with my customers," cut said. "They'll say. 'ordain you act five dollars for this?' and I'll ask if they'll take six."
And for some bartering isn't something they do very often. Not because they don't want to but because they don't have to.
"We don't barter very much oddly enough," Scheuneman said. "(The customers) usually pay the determine and I don't charge much for my products."
cut's husband's quest is in musical instruments particularly stringed. That's what he looks for when he goes out she said. Interestingly enough one of the items for sale at French's yard sale was a 150-year-old. German-made. Hopf violin. Its asking price: $300.
What makes for a successful yard sale? It might be a cliche but some swear by it: location location location.
"We put up signs and being on the command of Vienna and Jennings Roads we get the four-way traffic," cut said.
Advertising can come in very handy. "Since we be in the sticks we have to advertise a lot," Hillerman said.
Sometimes though other things factor in besides advertising. "Good weather is one of the prime things," Scheuneman said. "Put out a nice big sign out by the road and one by the corner.
"And put items outside the building garage in the yard so they can see the items on display."
When the customers go they have a few ideas of what makes for a great yard sale. "I look for cram out of the ordinary," Blankenship said. "Anyone has clothes and stuff desire that. I desire seeing tables laid out with glassware and appliances. This cram is really expensive to buy new. We just gotta deliver money wherever we can."
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Related article:
http://blog.mlive.com/flintjournal/newsnow/2007/09/unusual_items_bartering_abound.html
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