User ID: daekae
garage sale thieves...
Me too! I've had someone that always comes to all the garage sale and says the things are broken (that aren't) and asks for a cheaper price or tries to steal them.
It is crazy that people try to steal items like this all the time!
Debbie
User ID: TantaWanda
Here's an idea!
Borrowed from the desperate folks who underwent a garbage collectors' strike in NYC years ago: they wrapped their trash attractively as gifts, left these pretty packages on the seat of an unlocked car, and VOILA! -- when they returned a short time later, the trash was gone!
How about setting up a garage sale table loaded with the non-sellable stuff you're about to throw away (junk, if you will). Place this table in a remote corner of your sale and "fail" to police it. Let the thieves have a ball removing your junk for free while you keep a close eye on the good stuff you really hope to sell!
Seriously, stealing from a garage sale is pathetic, but it does happen from time to time. Avoid loss by not putting out real valuables (sell these by another route) and by keeping your sale items well presented and organized. I hope you never get ripped off, but if you do, at least it won't be for much. Good luck with your sale.
