Estate Sales
Yesterday I opened our door and saw a long line of parked cars. Our condo complex road is private and not very wide, so it was surprising. And the cars were upscale, newish, like Teslas and Audis. “A big party to which I was not invited?” “Some religious revival?” But the cars came and went, and Mrs. side pocket finally realized it was an estate sale. We walked over, but it had just closed. Today it continued, so I strolled through. “25% off everything today” someone said.
The woman who had lived there was not old, but declined rapidly and is now somewhere under full-time care. Lots of spiritual and self improvement stuff, jewelry and kitchen needs, CDs and books. All cool bargains, but we have downsized ourselves and need nothing.
We see signs for estate sales every weekend. There are more than 15,000 estate sale businesses in the USA, many of them fairly small. When we planned to downsize and move to a small condo we tried to get rid of things via Craigslist but realized it would take years. So we engaged an estate sale company and did it in one day. Successful, but brutal in that they received 40%. No regrets, well, not many.
Were the huge crowds yesterday indicative of post-quarantine travel freedom? “C’mon, let’s go somewhere.” Or are folks looking for necessary bargains? Today’s paper is full of articles about inflation, especially in the prices of food. Stories of adjusting food purchases downward, like from ground beef to ground turkey, and buying crummy processed food because it’s cheaper.
Are you feeling the effects of inflation, especially of food prices? Are you seeing spikes in food and other prices in your area? Will it change how you shop? Will you (or do you) grow your own?
Do you go to estate sales? Have you found the best bargain ever? Had regrets about your purchase? Have you had your own estate sale? Were you pleased?
These and other questions are to be discussed in this open thread…..if you wish.