Yard Sales

What is it with Americans and their obsession (or love) of yard/garage sales.  Or what I call OPJ a.k.a. other people's junk.  This is something that has fascinated me throughout my adult years.  Maybe I just don't get it, or maybe I'm just plain un-American.  I mean, this is capitalism at its very best.  People offering a product to people who may/may not have a need, and are willing to pay (or haggle over) miniscule prices for a product that God knows where or what it has been in.

Today is a beautiful day, a little windy; but still a beautiful day.  Although I'm sitting in my home waiting for Home Depot to call to deliver my decking, I am amused or bemused or dare I say abused with the people who come out to these events. I've seen people park right at an intersection, thus blocking the view; and parking on the grass of neighbors' yards without a care or concern or even asking permission from the neighbor to park.  All of this to go and argue with the pushers of these "narcotics" over the cost of used Happy Meal toys that in all honesty end up costing about 1/3 of what going to purchase the Happy Meal would cost (not counting the time and gas to go to and from these events).

Am I just unreasonable?  Do I just not get it?  Is it worth my time to go through every little item, tag it, itemize it, then on the day of the event; move all of it to the front yard (hoping and praying that the weather will cooperate)?  Then try to watch all the people come and go to ensure that my precious junk doesn't walk away; as well as having them ask what the price of an object is even though it is plainly marked.  And of course, the haggling over that price while the "junkies" get their sale fix and head home with this year's Christmas presents (yeah, Merry Christmas; here's a slightly used pair of smelly shoes that I got at a great price).

I realize that times are tough and that people are trying to make due with the best that they can. I get it, and I applaud their efforts; but I just don't understand these sales.  My motto has always been that I'll give it to VFW, Goodwill, AMVETs or some other non-profit organization that will sell it in their stores (or give it to needy people) at prices that are slightly more than at the garage sales.  I guess my I value my time and that sitting all day in the front yard isn't my idea of fun.

These are just my thoughts.