Rainy weather, economy affecting garage sales
Posted on Sunday, July 6, 2008
BENTON COUNTY - Ask just about anyone in northwest Arkansas and they would probably agree on two things: that the economy isn't as good as it used to be and it's rained a lot lately.
They would probably even agree that both issues have affected a popular way for many Americans to de-junk their house and make a little cash - garage sales. Garage sales, yard sales or any other type of residence-based sales are obviously popular in the area given the number of hand-crafted signs that show up on street corners every weekend.
Many people who frequent garage sales - either by shopping at them or having them themselves - agree that lately garage sales just aren't what they used to be.
"Last year was very good," said Katie Eubanks of Bentonville. "But this year a lot of garage sales are pricier because people are wanting to make more money for gas."
The problem with that scenario, she said, is that people shopping at garage sales tend to attempt price haggling to get the price reduced.
"No one has any money to spend," she said. "So they are clashing in the middle. "
Eubanks said she usually visits garage sales to find clothes for her toddler.
"They're the best place to go," she said.
She also helps friends with sales, such as the sale she helped with on Saturday in Bentonville. The sale was a benefit for a friend from Missouri whose home was destroyed by a tornado. By mid-morning they had only four customers, who braved frequent early rain showers.
"I think it's the weather and the fact that it's Fourth of July weekend," she said.
Luis Moran of Rogers, had a different perspective. He purposefully held his garage sale during the holiday weekend and it proved profitable.
"It's the holiday so no one is working," he said.
Melissa Wagoner of Rogers dashed to cover many of her tables with tarps when the first rains started to fall Saturday. She said she believes the weather affected her sales.
"The die hards have come out," she said.
Her friend David Morgan helped with the sale but he also tries to have several garage sales himself every year. He said he can tell a noticeable downturn in the amount of business he gets.
"I used to sell a lot of tools and building materials," he said. "But it's really slacked off. The weather has been the biggest (problem )."
For Hosea Hefley of Rogers, the economy has been steadily getting more problematic since he retired nearly two decades ago.
"I'm 80 years old and on a fixed income," he said. "Inflation is eating my lunch. That's the reason we shop at garage sales."
Hefley and his wife shop mostly for their 13 great-grandchildren, he said. He said that so far this season he hasn't noticed a major change in how people price their goods, but he has seen that weather has made a difference.
"Some will advertise (that they are having a sale ) but then they aren't open," he said.
Both Bentonville and Rogers have rules about garage sales that can be found on the city's respective Web sites. Rogers requires a permit, however Bentonville does not require a permit to have a garage sale.
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