Most anyone acquainted with me knows I avoid anything that contributes to or demonstrates inappropriate or otherwise undesirable behavior by my fellowman. I don't watch reality or contestant TV shows which portray how ignorant, crude, or mean people can be to each other, nor do I wish to read or hear disparaging remarks about others. Include in that a basic aversion to rumors and gossip. I think people who engage in these behaviors are not a fair representation of what the majority of people are really like, and it certainly doesn't make for a better world.
So why did I ever agree to a garage sale! That's more rhetorical than a question, hence the exclamation mark instead of a period.
During my lifetime, I've been involved with four garage sales and one auction - two sales after remodeling in two different residences, one as an estate sale, one an estate auction, and the latest a community garage sale. Normally, I just donate items to charities, but since I'm the secretary for our home owner association which sponsored the event, and because my son and daughter-in-law wanted to sell some items, I agreed. Big mistake on my part.
It didn't matter how inexpensively an item was priced, some people wanted it lower. I'm not talking about $5 items, I'm talking about 25 cents or a dollar. To some people, it may be a game to see how low they can bargain, but I still expect people to exhibit good and fair behavior whether Christian or not.
For a few, a garage sale can be an opportunity to scam, and it enabled some people to appear very predatory and cheap. There were two particularly disturbing situations for which I won't go into detail. I just don't like it when something brings out the worst in people because it can cloud one's perception about the majority of people who are really good and honest individuals.
If I go to a neighbor's garage sale, I pay what they ask, especially if it's reasonable. If it's more than I want to pay, I won't buy it. If they offer to sell an item to me for a lower price, that's just fine, but I won't ask for it. In fairness, I did encounter a few nice people with the same philosophy.
I don't want to take advantage of anyone because I wouldn't feel right about it. Leviticus 25:17 states: "Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God," and there are numerous verses in the New Testament about how we should treat each other fairly.
So I'm counting this experience as further evidence that garage sales are something I personally should never do, and viewing it as a social event that took a good deal of work - much more than it was worth. I'm glad I only had a few items for sale, even though I wish I'd donated them instead. I would have felt much better giving to people in need rather than to some people "in greed." The measly $11 I received will go to charity, but the items would have been better given as a donation.
So, I apologize to those who enjoy garage sales, either as a participant in buying or selling. I just know it's not for me, and this was my garage sale swan song. Five times of witnessing what I consider to be less than desirable behavior is enough; selling at one of these venues is now among my avoidance options and I'll never be tempted to do so again. And, for the record, any that I infrequently attend will continue to be done with a Christian perspective toward my fellowman.
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