Yard Sale Report

There are still plenty of yard sales, but the nature of the offerings and the customers has changed.

Here in Central Ohio, yard sale season is still going strong, although the competition for the cool stuff has shifted. Small appliances and nice looking houseware necessities are going like hotcakes, while antiques and collectible offerings are skimpy and/or overpriced.

In addition to the regular competition from those other dealers who have the nerve to show up earlier than me and buy the stuff I want, the latest batch of garage sale competitors has the extra unfair advantage of financial desperation. These are parents of college students furnishing dorm rooms and first apartments, responding to the siren call of the $3 set of unbreakable dishes and the $8 microwave. And a loud call it is, although along the lines of a dog whistle, heard only by those in need of discount serving utensils.

The cartons of sticky Tupperware that have been on offer at countless sales all summer now have takers. Yes, you can still get your hands on a set of four nice beverage glasses for ten cents a pop, but if you want them, you better grab 'em. Otherwise, while you're strolling about, contemplating the half burned candles and thigh masters, another, hungrier kitchen furnisher will scarf them up, which is how I ended up yesterday's garage sale session with $25 worth of comic books.