Weirdos, Freaks and Inconsiderate Jerks.

[baronessekat]

Didn't end up falling asleep last night until about 3. AFter getting the garage as set up as I could I still had to make up the signs to put out this morning.

Got up at 6ish (probably closer to 6:30), dressed and headed out to put up signs. It was that drizzle that everyone hates at Pennsic... the not really rain but it soaks into everything instantly mist. So my feet were soaked after sign number 2. Got all the signs up (12 total around the complex) and ran quickly to Dunkin Donuts for a breakfast sandwich so I would have some protein in my system before having to deal with people.

I pull onto my street at a little after 7, park across from my house but not in front and hit the garage door opener so I can go in and have said protein. As I'm walking up the driveway 5 early birds swarm and actually try to get into the garage. (the sale per my signs and the civic association ads all said 9am start). I got really cranky. Not only were these people 2 hours early, my garage was NOT safe for people to go pawing through stuff until I got things pulled out onto the driveway. Hell I had the weight bench weigh tower fall on me this morning as I was leaving to do the signs I didn't want it falling on someone that could turn around and sue me.

One guy got defensive when I yelled at him and said "but the garage sale" to which I reply "was advertised to start at 9am." He tried to pull the "but I have to go to work card" to which I replied... "then you'll have to take your chances that what you might want is here on Saturday. Now get out."

Another guy tried to push his way in and I threatened to call the cops on him for trespassing. He got indignant. To which I replied "It's 7am. The only people up and about at 7am are people going to work and assholes. And you obviously are not going to work."

Yeah. Me and customer relations. We're tight.

At 8:15 I went back out, opened the garage door to start pulling things out and got swarmed again. this time I gave up. I announced loudly... I'm not open. Be warned, if you go in and look and get hurt by anything falling on you - I hold no liability and will tell the police and any insurance agencies you were trespassing." and went about pulling out tables and setting up. By this time the soaking mist had stopped and promised to be chilly but ok. So of course no sooner do I put out the last flat of books and it starts to actually rain. Quick dash for tarps and plastic table cloths.

My first sale was $50 so I couldn't be too pissed off.

The day was a routine of "no, I do not have any tools. No I do not have any military stuff. NO, I do not have any jewelry. No, I'm not hiding any more glass or pottery." And my most used phrase of the day "Make me an offer".

Had one woman stop with screaching tires and came up just to say "I've never seen a garage sale with a Hoyer lift". I was amazed she knew what one was as I spent most of the day also explaining "just what is that thing anyway". And because she did, one woman listened and asked for my phone number and said she was going to check with her mother as it might be something they may want for her ailing father. She MIGHT be interested in the hospital bed too.

Sold roughly 500 paperback books today. Only about 1000 more (No I'm not exagerating). Sold the stereo too. Talked a couple college guys who were obviously shopping for furnishings for a first apartment into taking it. I was honest with them as I know the radio works but don't think the 8 trak or the turn table does. BUT... even if they don't... it makes a great bar. It was pointing it out as a bar that sold it for $15. Tried to get them to take the red velvet swag lamp too but no dice.

Couple people said they would come back saturday to see if some of the tables that I do have for sale are still available.

I'm grateful for the October storm of this year because I had the camping space heater and even thought to put it in the car last night so I would have it today. It was a god send.

The lulls were never short enough for me to run inside at all to even pee let alone go in and make myself a hot cup of tea or cocoa. The only reason I had a lunch was because I called for delivery.

Just before leaving to come to work I did a count of the bills (I didn't count the coin change I had before i started so I'm going to deal only with paper currency for my profits) and came up with just over $300 for today. And my boss gave me $50 worth of gift cards for a couple of the TV prints I had brought in to show him. (now I can put gas in the car tonight and get the cats food on the way home)

Other than being cold and tired and having to pee for 2.5 hours I can't complain due to the profit margin.

Just have to survive two more days of this. Lord help me.