Tagsellit Blog
 Yard Sale EthicsWHEN GARAGE SALE BARGAINS TURN STICKY An article published in the business section of the Miami Herald some time ago shed some light on garage sale treasures that could turn out to be traps. The question asked was: “My husband and I are accountants who also collect art objects. At a recent garage sale, we bought a yellow gemstone labeled as a topaz for $50. We weren't sure of its identity, but since it was a fair price for a topaz of that quality, we bought it. The Answer: “The general rule of law is that parties are presumed to know the value of their property. If they sell for less than fair market value, they suffer the consequences. The exception is this rule may not apply if seller and buyer have unequal bargaining power, are not on a level playing field or the facts clearly show the buyer took unfair advantage of the seller.” In this case, the couple who purchased the items were not merchants whose business involved precious stones, but as collectors, had a higher level of expertise than the average person. The article goes on to analyze the fact that they didn’t knowingly take unfair advantage of the seller, which would apply if they knew the gemstone was improperly identified by the seller as a topaz and was really a diamond. The law says “such an expert has a duty to disclose hidden or obviously mistaken facts, and not profit from them.” In this particular case the seller can pursue legal action but arguments can be made on both sides. Before costly litigation, try to calmly work something out with the seller if possible, and if they’ve already hired a legal representative, be sure to have your attorney speak with them to try to reach an amicable solution.
|
Garage Sale Lessons: Recycling, Sharing & ThriftWe thought you would love and support this too... A very interesting letter to the Editor at the NY Times from September 1995, read on: To the Editor: Yes, sometimes there are abuses of garage sales ("The Garage Sale: Loud and Tacky, or Suburban Imperative?," Sept. 3). But they have so many other advantages that municipalities should be trying to encourage them, not shut them down. In my old neighborhood in Scotch Plains, we organized a yearly garage sale. Rather than fill up dwindling landfill space, we recycled our old items. The bikes our children outgrew were enjoyed by a new generation. Tables we didn't have time to salvage were bought and refinished by someone with time and talent. I like to think the children learned to be less wasteful; I know the sales provided many poor families with toys, clothes and furniture they could not otherwise have bought. It seems criminal to clutter up landfill with a perfectly good object that can be enjoyed by someone else. SUSAN B. BELLROSE Far Hills
|
American Pickers - Antique ArchaeologyYou've probably seen us mention "One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure" about a dozen or more times around our site, on Twitter and Facebook, but for American Pickers, this is what they do for a living, and it's a sweet gig! Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz are just two ordinary guys looking for extraordinary things. American Pickers follows them as they scour the country's junkyards, basements and barns for hidden gems. Not only do they get to travel America in search of great treasures, buried in garages, basements, barns and attics, but they also have a phenomenal show on the History Channel. Call it treasure hunting, dumpster diving, modern archaeology or recycling America. No matter how you define picking, this is definitely not your grandmother's antiquing. Antique Archaeology's founder Mike Wolfe has been looking for treasures in the trash forever. When he was five, he had his first big score when he found a pile of old bicycles in my neighborhood on trash day. He was always bringing home old bottles and other random stuff. He never thought of it as junk: to him, it was beautiful. After pursuing his passions of tinkering with old bikes and scooters, Mike decided to hit the road and travel American in search of even greater picks. The Antique Archaeology shop is tucked away in the historic Mississippi River town of LeClaire, Iowa. For more cool information, check out their website: http://www.antiquearchaeology.com You can also find some of their sweet picks on eBay, check them out here Feel free to share your picks with us on Facebook, just see our Tagsellit Page. 
|
Yard Sale LingoHaggle - Verb The buyer's haggled over the price of the patio furniture set needing refinishing at the garage sale and walked away with a great deal! Consignment - Noun Fine china, designer clothing and unique antiques can all be found on consignment. Curb Alert -noun Curb Alert! 1 Microwave, 2 curling irons, 1 crock pot, 3 folding chairs at 99 Tagsellit Rd. No phone calls! Just haul away! Can you think of some more creative lingo you use when shopping tag sales? Feel free to comment!
|
The Simmons Celebrity Garage SaleUpon another celebrity divorce, this time Russell Simmons and wife Kimora Lee Simmons, comes another must-see and must-shop tag sale. The hip-hop mogul and his reality-TV star ex-wife opened up their recently sold New Jersey mansion yesterday for a massive, everything-must-go sale. Other offerings included everything from a $200,000 designer bed to a $20 doggie bed. The sale included items like a glass pumpkin that went for $40, a piggy bank festooned in red feathers for $25, and a bizarre Christmas ornament of a purple blowfish with glittery lipstick that went for $5. So far, according to one media outlet on-site, "Shoppers' jaws dropped when they spotted items such as a $12,000 pool table, a $12,000 Persian rug, a $20,000 pair of brass lion statues and two couches from the South Beach home of the late Gianni Versace that went for $7,500 each." Today was the second day of the family’s mega yard sale, drawing a massive crowd to their mansion, which they signed a contract to sell last month for $13.9 million. The event was being shot for an episode of Kimora’s reality show, which sources said will air in November.
|
10 Top 10 Lists for Going GreenAbout the Book: Oh, yeah, did we mention Tagsellit.com was featured? Chapter Details: List #1: Your Children From pregnancy and birth, to infants and toddlers, on to older children, teenagers and young adults, this list covers topics related to your children and their future. Find out the latest news regarding threats to their health, and how to avoid or prevent these issues. Meet an amazing group of teenagers that are truly making a difference. Check out one school’s zero-cost, simple yet very effective program that is reducing childhood obesity and promoting literacy (and perhaps follow their example in your own community). Learn about the best products and services, and about two wonderful organizations: one that provides exciting, educational travel opportunities for young adults and another than inspires the younger ones by showing them that they too can make a difference. List #2: Your Garbage Recyling, reusing, re-purposing, upcycling, freecycling… this list is all about innovative, effective yet really easy ways to take whatever you’re done with, and divert it from the landfill. There’s been some really big changes lately, thanks to some very creative people combining their skills and visions with the power of the Internet. We found a site with over 7 million members where everything is free! We also came across The Garage Sale Revolution (you have to see this to believe it) and a brilliant online rental system that everyone can benefit from. Whether you want something, or want to get rid of something, access these awesome resources with one simple click through this list. List #3: Your Garden Ever heard of a Dirt Diva? Do you know how important farmer’s markets are? What can you do or not do in your own yard and garden? Have you any idea how vital pollinators are (or even what they are?) How do you grow it… preserve it… buy it or sell it… find it or get rid of it? Chances are, you’re well aware or at least interested in learning more, and this list will help. We’ve also found a really neat online garden planner, the best greenhouses ever, and some great gardeners that share their considerable experience and talents freely and with great enthusiasm. Beautiful, practical, delicious, economical, local and global is what this list is all about! List #4: Your Home Just as it is for our book overall, one of the main themes of this list is making a real difference without having to spend a ton of money, time or effort. You might be surprised how easy it is, and how much money you’ll save while being good to Mother Nature where your home is concerned. This list covers everything from cleaning your home to products and services, from building and/or renovating to buying or selling. Yes, selling! The green real estate market is heating up and could be an important factor in your next sale, purchase or renovation. With the easy online tools we’ve found, plus all the advice, articles and ideas (all free) you can plan ahead, adjust, experiment and make changes that matter, while avoiding things that are a waste of your time and money. List #5: Your Inspiration We created this list to emphasize that no person or effort is too small to make a difference. In fact, as we found with these real life examples, often the largest and most effective movements started with just one person who never dreamed how far they would go. From huge global groups to individuals and very small organizations, this list showcases the best examples we could find of “starting small, growing big” and of just how much can be accomplished with how little. With vision, dedication and courage these people just kept going, and their stories convinced us that they deserve interest and support from all of us. List #6: Your Life Whether it's the usual, even mundane details of daily life or the really big important events, this list includes a wide variety of topics that affect your life. For example, did you know the green wedding movement has grown up to mean sophisticated style and economic common sense? Maybe you're not there yet, but you'd like to be... check out the amazing green singles dating site we found - not your average dating site, that's for sure. Ready for a career change or looking for a job? This site will point you in the green direction, and you might be surprised about the fantastic options that are available to you. Travelling, eating, surfing the Internet... and much more, all of these daily activities can be done in a greener fashion! List #7: Your Money It's not just about saving money, but also about using it wisely and that's what this list is all about. There's some exciting product sites where you know, without a doubt, that money spent will be done so in line with green values. Another site has a great fundraising idea and yet another give you daily tips on how to save money while living more naturally. Investing your hard-earned money is another topic we were happy to find, because here the rewards, both personal and financial are very worthwhile and the word profit takes on a whole new meaning. Last but not least in this list is a wonderful, no-nonsense site that examines the issue of greenwashing (products or services that are advertised as green, but aren't) and equips you with all you'll need to avoid these scams and money-wasters. List #8: Your Pets & Animals This list covers many animal-related topics, from pets to livestock to wildlife. There's a great story behind one of the sites on the list and if you've ever wanted to combine travel with saving wildlife, this is for you. Caring for your pets, making sure they live the longest and healthiest life they can, without harming the environment is much easier than you might think! Just taking a few minutes to consider the lives of the animals we eat can have profound effects on them, and you as well because there are some simple ways to make a big difference. Want to know which products are really cruelty-free? We've got the information available for you here as well. List #9: Your Resources The power of the Internet is amazing, and these online communites are too. The general theme for all the sites on this list is to help consumers live a greener life without having to get complicated or spend a lot of money. They're created by regular, down-to-earth people who have a genuine desire to share what they know (which is considerable). There's a special site for moms, another for vintage-oriented people, and another for independant do-it-yourselfers, plus others that focus on specific yet relevant niches. Another thing all these sites have in common is the creative, free-thinking atitude and appreciation of the ablitity to "take care of yourself" that is commonly found with eco-concious people. This is a collection of resources that we can all use! List #10: Your Self You know you can take care of your self without harming the environment but... what's the easiest way? What's the cheapest? What's the most effective and what works specifically for you and your family? You'll find answers to these question and more on this list...personal care items and ideas, health and hygiene products, herbs and natural solutions... they're all here, presented by really committed and talented people who stand behind their products, services and claims all the way. Things are changing in this area as rapidly as they are everywhere else and now, the connection between personal care and caring for the environment is easier than ever to make! Learn More:
|
What is a Pawn Shop?Pawn shops have grown tremendously in the past century across the United States. During the Great Depression era, pawn shops were among the only institutions offering cash as banks failed and people were forced to give up cherished items to make ends meet. Pawn shops continue to be a primary place where people can turn their items into cash today. Many shops operate as alternatives to banks for millions of people who do not have checking accounts, and they also serve as an area of exchange for people of all class backgrounds to buy and sell unique, rare or coveted items. Electronics, musical instruments and distinctive pieces of clothing are also commonly pawned items. According to Gold and Silver Pawn in Las Vegas, NV, "the pawn shop industry has been criticized at times for preying upon the poor with inflated interest rates and low-balling the value of goods in order to turn a profit. But organizations such as the National Pawnbrokers Association, established in 1988, contend that their industry offers a viable solution for those in need of cash. Pawn shops are required to uphold clear regulations about the terms of the pawn contract and the amount of interest on the cash loans. Each pawned item is also registered to prevent the sale of stolen items." Pawn shops can be great repositories of history, holding antiques, jewelry, furniture and other items that have been passed from generation to generation. Good owners may genuinely know their source, or offer tales of where they believe items came from and how much they are worth, and great pawn brokers do their own assessment of each item, estimating its age, authenticity and value on the open market.
|
127 Corridor Sale - The World's Longest Yard SaleCountdown to the 2010 Sale, August 5th - 8th, from Hudson, Michigan to Gadsden, Alabama! The World's Longest Yardsale, also known as the 127 Corridor Sale, has headquarters located at the Fentress County Chamber of Commerce in Jamestown, TN on the beautiful Cumberland Plateau. The event was created by tourism officials in Jamestown, Tennessee, but rely on community support from each town and/or county tourism and chamber office to promote the event in their regions. The success of the sales depend on coordination from each community. The concept of the World's Longest Yard Sale in August is to pull people off the interstates and back into the heartland of rural, scenic America. The event encourages businesses and residents to participate by having yard sales, sidewalk sales and special promotions for a continuous stretch from one end of the sale route to the other. Once established, the end result is lots of fun for vendors and shoppers alike. We have all heard the saying "One man's junk is another man's treasure." That adage holds true as this event brings people together from all across the country and from around the world to barter and haggle over things that may have been stored in a garage or an attic somewhere for years. The pleasure we derive from rummaging through someone's junk, hoping to find something unique and maybe even to stumble across an item worth a lot to you!
|
America's Top Ten Flea MarketsApache Park-N-Swap Rose Bowl Flea Market The Flea Market Thunderbird Swap-Meet Flea World Shipshewana Auction and Flea Market The Flea Market, Tennessee State Fairgrounds First Monday Trade Days Trader's Village Flea Market Rummage-O-Rama There are over 1,600 flea markets around the United States, Check more out here! 
|
How to Make Junk DisappearSo you've just exhausted yourself with your last-ditch efforts of getting rid of all your second hand items and various clutter during your weekend garage sale and you're left with some junk that no one would buy and is probably not even worth donating. So what do you do with that junk? Call in the junk hauling experts. Here are a couple cool companies we found specializing in haul-away in our area: Super Garbage Man - helps you get rid of unwanted items. Doesn’t matter how big or small your junk, waste, or garbage is we will remove it for you. We will handle all your junk by providing friendly, quick and courteous service. From residential, commercial, estate, basement, and backyard cleanouts let us haul your junk away. We’re serious about Junk Removal. Our professional moving crew will remove your junk smoothly. Super Garbage Man is a full service junk removal company. We take great pride in our service and reputation. Online: http://www.supergarbageman.com/ Founded in 2004 by Josh Cohen, this recent college grad hit the streets handing out homemade flyers all around town. Soon the phones began to ring. Armed only with his mom's Dodge Durango SUV, help from his younger brother Zach, and a love for the environment, Josh began a company that would soon lead the industry in environmentally friendly and community oriented junk removal practices. Since then, Junkluggers has grown to a multi-state operation, currently operating throughout most of Connecticut and New York. The company has 15+ dedicated employees and has their eyes set on covering the United States within 10 years. Online: http://www.junkluggers.com/ 1-800-GOT-JUNK? - A full-service junk removal company. We'll remove almost anything – from old furniture and appliances to garden waste and renovation debris. Plus, we do all the loading and cleanup, wherever the items are – you don't even need to get it to the curb! Online: http://www.1800gotjunk.com/ 
|
About Us
Whether you are selling, buying or searching for something to do this weekend you'll find it here. Find out more about Tag Sell It.
Useful Links
Press Reviews
