Try to be as firm as you cn. and maybe use the excuse that the proceeds go to help pay for expenses.

Would it help to post a sign in a prominent place saying PRICES ARE MARKED. WE DO NOT DICKER. That should shut up the 'dealers' and 'bargainers'. If they start in trying to talk the price down....just smile, point to the sign, smile and say items are marked at a fair price. Take it or leave it....your choice.

Well, while I understand your frustration, estate sales are prized among "rummagers". I don't see it as trying to pick anyone's bones any more than someone looking for a bargain on a car from a dealer when they've had a hailstorm hit.

Non-flat TVs are essentially of no value these days. Microwave ovens are something you can't give away very often. Freezers and a lot of appliances aren't worth much. Furniture, unless it's antique or something extraordinary isn't big. You can buy all of these so cheap that even if the ones you have a far better quality, people would rather buy new and have "current" stuff.

If an estate is trying to make big money off the stuff, then selling in the garage sale method is not the way to go. Normally the estate is trying to get rid of the stuff without having to pay to dispose of it.

When my aunt died, my cousin hired an auctioneer to come pick everything up and take it to his sale place. He ran regular auctions and then could advertise the items and he got very good prices for a lot of the stuff. For the antiques, he'd notify some of the regular customers so they'd have a chance at it.

Remember that new a year ago means it's now a year old. How much would you pay for used furniture at a garage sale? These days with upholstered furniture, buying used is not something that everyone wants to do. I'd even be hesitant with the reports of all the bugs and stuff even from what you think are clean homes. And nobody knows if she overpaid in the first place either so saying "I paid $____ for this a year ago" doesn't mean much in setting prices. How many people paid $1000 for a computer a year ago, and what's it worth today? The item is worth exactly one price - whatever the buyer will pay, and no more. Sentiment, original price, delivery costs and other things are irrelevant.

When I would participate in garage sales, I got frustrated with the dickering too, but realized it's part of the game. I'd tell them no, sometimes they'd take it, sometimes not. Sometimes I'd tell them to come back at the end of the sale and I'd take their price then if I hadn't sold it. Occasionally someone would tick me off enough that I raised the price on them! Boy did that get some surprised looks!

Maybe you're better off having a family sale first, if anyone wants the stuff, either sell or give it to them. And like you mentioned, maybe just donate it to a good cause or something. Might be something that would please your mom too, besides making things easier for you.

You're grieving over the loss of your mom and this isn't helping. My condolences on your loss and hope you clean up the details with as little stress as possible. Good luck.

Yep, Cynic, I agree - an auction is the way to go with expensive items.

Try Craig's list. It might feel less personal.
I'm sorry for your loss. I know all these interactions are infinitely more irritating when you are grieving, but people can be so insensitive.

I think you're letting your emotions get in the way- tired of the process and frustrated. People who can't afford items are looking for freebies; people who can afford new will buy new so they can get exactly what they want. Those in-between are looking for a bargain and will wait till they find one. When MIL died we threw away the junk stuff and took nearly everything else to Goodwill. Some of it could have sold at auction but it wasn't worth our time getting it sorted and then paying advertising or an auctioneer fee. We had her house nearly cleaned out in one day with the kids and grandkids working. We were able to sell the house quickly that way.

Could you find a charity that could use the items so that at least you would get the donation or contribution value for tax purposes?

But you know, why is it that JUNK at the thrift shop has HUGE prices on it? Some old beat up freezer, they'll want $100 for it and it's probably 20 years old and people are buying that carp too!!!!! I don't think you have to just give stuff away! I've had quite a few garage sales and managed to sell things for a reasonable price.

I understand how you feel, when my mom fell and broke her hip, three years before she died, family members were in the house taking things. When I finally cleaned out the house after she died it was amazing how many things people said she had borrowed. Things that had been there my entire life.

Sorry, Kathy. Some people are just so rude and insensitve at a critical times.

Can you have a little story to tell bonepickers that relates to the item? Like, "Yes, this Fenton basket was my late mother's...she used to put (whatever)in the basket, and really enjoyed it. I have to sell it because of the current economy....wouldn't you say $5.00 is a fair price?

If the vulture tries to knock the price down from there-he/she probably doesn't have much of a conscience.

Whatever you do, don't let anyone make you feel guilty about your pricing!!!!

Yes I am tired. Yes I am upset. We did have an auctioneer appraise the estate for tax purposes.
His auction is a big business and if it is not priceless - it goes in boxes outside on the ground. We can get dollars a box and not 50 cents a box.
Fortunately, my brother and sister are not grabby and we have pretty much taken what we want.
I go to yard sales and estate sales too and would never be there at 7am for an advertised 9 o:clock sale and then talk the people cheaper, but that is me...
$5 is too much for a small working tv? Should I have made it $2.50? If you need, it you need it...
Go to a thrift shop and see what they ask for those tv's.
I probably will put the loveseat and chair in my basement. I bought my set right after she did and don't need another one right now.
I will post that sign saying prices are firm until after lunch.
Thanks, Kathy

I had garage sales twice. First went okay, made a couple hundred bucks. Second didn't sell a lot, but my prices were rock bottom. I had a glass candy dish marked 50 cents. Woman in a big car came, will you take a quarter? Sure, just to get rid of it. Five minutes later, she drove back, there's a chip on the bottom, I want a refund. Sure. I will never do another garage sale. Oh, and somebody stole my cashbox, too. And a box of hubby's record albums grew legs. If you don't want haggling, price everything and post a big sign. "Prices are firm, no negotiating. No Refunds."

Never had a problem with garage sales prices were what was posted if it was a two day say they lowered on the second day. In My town Estate sales are usually run by two or three local companies. each item is price and on big items they will take bids to be settled on the final day. Usually on the second or final day things go for 25% off in the morning then at 11 they go half price. Everything is usually very clean and orderly and done in a professional manner.

At my Garage sales things were tagged and priced books might be a certain price for hardback and paperbacks unlesss specifically noted.

And a sign "NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS" Also, in the ad, no early sales.

I'm sorry Kathy. I know how long your mom struggled and how hard it was on you and your family. I'm dredding when my turn comes.

Tami

Kathy...just wanted to say...I'm sorry for your loss...i know this must be so hard on you...(((kathy)))

for the stuff you just want to give away look in to freecycle! You can trade for other stuff. I have a friend that does freecycle all the time and it is amazing the stuff she gets for free or in trade. I give her all my stuff I want to get rid of so she can freecycle it, you know it is really going to the people this way.
The Freecycle Network

I'm sorry for your frustration. I've cleared out both sets of my grandparents' houses and it can be a tiring and discouraging process. Try to disassociate your feelings from the process if you can. It's not worth the stomach acid and headache to feel negative about the bargain hunters. I had people ask for a better price on a 25-cent measuring cup...LOL! I just gave them a big smile and said, "Nope!"

I agree with cynic - and as for non flat screen tvs - we have 3 in the attic that I have on craigslist for free and they still do not go!

In regards to the year old furniture, your Mother selected that set according to her tastes. It would be highly unusual for someone to want that exact set/style/fabric as their first choice. And no disrespect regarding cleanliness - as cynic said buying anything upholstered that is used is very questionable these days.

I have many of my Mother's items in my attic as a result of no family member wanting them, no one wanted to buy, but too nice to give away. We shall see if in a couple years one of the grandchildren needs furniture.

We're clearing out my mom's house also. But decided to auction the furniture & take the stuff that would just go into box lots down to my sister's to sell -- It's not to make money, but Mom lived in this small town for 50 years and most everyone knew her.. Didn't want to have people coming and saying, Oh I remember when I gave her that on a birthday... or Christmas... Just didn't feel like having her stuff picked over by friends & neighbors..

I have seen signs posted--ALL SALES FINAL---NO RETURNS-- and NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS--and recently You break it, you pay for it. In one of the recent all City sales, several of the people discouraged young children from coming and looking. Age from about 7-13 as they were just just looking and picking up all sorts of stuff, the either trying to steal it or break it. They were just riding their bikes from one to another just to cause trouble so the the local police stepped in. Sad.

Sorry with you to hear of your frustration, Kathy.

As far as the hagglers go ... as someone said, just smile and say that you figure that you priced it fairly, and don't choose to reduce it ... just yet: maybe 15 min. before closing. (if you choose).

Dad used to tell of when he went to farmer's market with produce as a kid, one rather well-dressed lady asked a vendor th price of a basket of apples, when she said that she didn't like the small ones, that she'd like a basket of all big ones ... the guy poured out the basket, picked out the little ones ... and the big ones almost filled the basket: the little ones had occupied the spaces in between. The lady was surprised.

Another time, a lady came in the morning asking the price of an amount of something, but felt it too high and left.

During the day, whether due to a shortage or for whatever reason, prices on that item rose ... the lady came back near closing and said that she'd like it at the price quoted in the morning, but the vendor said, "No dice". When she said that that was the price that he'd quoted, he replied that the proposed contract in the morning was one issue, and she'd refused, so this was a new contract.

A few years ago when I visited a yard sale, a young lad about 14 was involved, with his mother, at least on that occasion, on the sidelines.

I priced a few things, including a small radio, which he said was $2.00.

Then he said something like, "Well, how about $1.00?".

I suggested to him, gently, that he had it wrong - that he was to quote the price, and that it was up to me to suggest the $1.00, that if he left it alone, he might get $2.00, but if he spoke too quickly, that extra dollar had flown away like a little bird.

Only if I turned to walk away ... especially if it were getting late in the day, might it be a good idea to offer a lower price: even if I walked away, who knows - maybe in 5 minutes someone else would gladly pay the $2.00 asking price.

I think that son appreciated my suggestion ... and his Mom got a wide smile out of it.

Hope you have better luck, next time. As several have suggested, try to keep the emotional involvement back on the back 40 acres.

ole joyful.

The sale was Saturday and went OK. I had advertised local history books so while I was hanging signs - my sister took the money. Of course the dealers were there at 7 for the 9:00 sale. My sister wouldn't budge on prices and the books disappeared anyway.
The small tv went in a free pile and no one took it. Guess I am out of the loop these days. Before I would buy a small flat screen - I would take the free one.
The weather did not cooperate and we had sprinkles even there was no chance of rain. Plus it was cold. A lot of big items went and I was glad of that. Mom's beds went and I guaranteed there were no bugs there.
The reclining sofa and chair are still in the house. My sister wants me to bring them home before we "give them away". They are nice where they are for now because you can sit back and put your feet up.
Kathy

Hi again Kathy,

I'm pleased to hear that you're reasonably satisfied with the way that things went, despite some lack of cooperation from the weather.

ole joyful

I think with yard sale season slowing down here that might help you a bit.

I hate early birds! I always put 'NO EARLY BIRDS!' in my ads when I had yard sales. I mean if I was going to be ready for customers at 7am, I'd advertise a sale starting at 7am. Nothing irritates me more than people showing up to shop when I'm trying to get the sale set up. Then they ask 'do you have this? do you have any of that?' Well, you'd see everything I have if you waited until I was done setting up.

I accepted a small tv from my sister and her husband not too long ago. I was glad to have it. All my televisions right now are 'old' - not just not flat screens but they don't have the newer video inputs either. A $20 RF modulator hooks up old televisions to the newer equipment so the kids can watch movies on them and I didn't have any trouble getting cable through them without any extra equipment when I had cable.

Honey I feel for you!! When my hubby died I had several garage sales, where friends were helping. While they were helping they were loading their cars! Yep, plain ole stealing. So at least that hasn't happened. cynic is right,just sell it all and move on to the next chapter of your life. The stress just isn't worth a few extra dollars. Bless you through all this. hugs