Garage Sale Stalker (Garage Sale Mysteries) Read Free Page B

“treasures” here—pieces of quality furniture spread across the front lawn, household knick-knacks heaped on tables along both sides of the driveway, a makeshift clothes rack on a pole suspended between two ladders—items stretching from the curb, up the driveway, back into the garage and even laterally across the front porch. Her pulse quickened!
    Sliding purposefully around other shoppers, she began her initial “overview scan” to quickly identify any standout—a piece of furniture, painting, lamp, or other unusual item inviting a hasty claim. She’d disciplined herself to pause briefly like this at the outer edge to scope the scene first, stifling a nearly overwhelming urge to dash instead toward whatever beckoned first. Later, she’d look over the remaining items in more detail. A thorough inspection of a sale this size should require less than ten minutes for her practiced eye.
    She noticed the random scatter of “merchandise,” not arranged into like groups of furniture, luggage, books, jewelry, sports equipment, clothing, appliances, shoes, baby items, tools or household goods. Few were pre-priced, and those tagged bore post-it-notes. A poor sticker choice for uneven surfaces, humid summer temperatures and tag-switching customers, she thought.
    The seller, a pinch-faced middle-aged woman, appeared to be running the sale by herself—also not a good idea, Jennifer knew. Aside from answering questions, demonstrating how things work, and keeping an eye out for shop-lifting, cashiering for a busy garage sale crowd required full-focus vigilance. Jennifer hoped the woman had helpers coming soon because even before the 8 a.m. start, Seller was al ready outnumbered. An amateur operation, Jennifer concluded—hard on the Seller but perhaps advantageous for the Buyer!
    Spotting a luxuriant six-foot tall artificial bamboo tree rooted in a handsome brass planter, Jennifer instantly envisioned it gracing a waiting corner in her living room. Trying to control her eagerness as another shopper appraised the tree by touching its leaves, Jennifer pretended to study a china plate. As soon as the other shopper moved on, Jennifer grabbed the tree, inspected it top to bottom and wrestled it over to Seller, who stood near her garage entrance with one hand clutching a cash box and the other pushing wisps of hair back from her nervous face.
    “Good morning,” Jennifer began conversationally. “Great weather today for your sale, isn’t it? It’s a lot of work getting it all ready.” She gestured toward the yard. “Are you moving?”
    “Well, yes, I...I’ve sold the house to move to a smaller place,” Seller’s downcast eyes brimmed with tears. “I recently divorced my husband, and,” suddenly her chin came up with resolve, “and the house sold so fast that now I have to be out in just three weeks!”
    Maybe priced the house too low? Jennifer wondered to herself. Instead she said, “A garage sale is a great way to clean out the house and make some money in the process. Good idea!”
    Seller managed a self-conscious smile. “Thanks, I hope so. I... I’ve never held one before; actually I’ve never even been to one, but a friend suggested I try it so... ” her voice trailed away.
    “After today, you’ll be very experienced. How much are you asking for this tree?”
    “Oh, I’m sorry it’s not priced,” Seller apologized. “I ran out of time after midnight getting everything ready.”
    “Hey, no problem! What amount do you have in mind?”
    “I guess $40. It cost $80 new and half price seems about right,” the Seller reasoned.
    Jennifer knew some garage sale buyers thought bargaining tacky and paid the asking price while others considered bargaining pra ctical and even entertainin g. The worst the Seller could sa y was “no.”
    Classic bargaining strategy dictated offering about 50% of the asking price for a good-condition item. Seller might agree, but if not they usually negotiated toward a compromise