“Everything and anything, seriously, it’s all got to go.” That was the message at a garage sale where the picker behind @CherryPicknHoosiers stopped to look around. The seller explained the reason for the rush. The seller’s dad had just passed away, and the seller and a sibling did not want to go through all of the belongings themselves. So it was all up for sale.

Some Elvis records were part of the mix, and the picker asked what the seller wanted for the records. Instead of going back and forth over one crate at a time, the picker suggested making a pile and working out a deal on the whole thing. That is a classic move at any sale, and it ended with a very honest question for the audience.

When the deal was done, the picker had paid two hundred seventy-five dollars and said it may have been too much. The picker even asked the audience to weigh in. Here is the video, so you can judge for yourself.

The Extras In The Pile

The Elvis records were not the only thing the picker walked away with. There was some Avon stuff too, which the picker figures will go into a booth for about five dollars apiece. One of the pieces came with a seventy-five dollar tag on it, which the picker called interesting. It is a good reminder that a price tag on an old item is just somebody’s guess, and that includes tags that were written years ago.

Did The Picker Overpay

That is the real question, and it cannot be answered from the sale alone. Whether two hundred seventy-five dollars was a smart price depends on what is in the pile, what condition it is in and what each piece will actually bring. The picker does not claim to know yet and says so. That kind of honesty is rare, and it is worth copying.

Still, there are a few ways to think through a deal like this before you pull out your wallet.

• Look at the condition first. Records that are scratched, warped or stored in damp conditions are worth far less than clean ones. The sleeve matters too. Take the time to pull a few records out and check them in good light.
• Know that popular does not mean rare. Elvis was one of the best selling recording artists of all time, so many of his records are common. A particular pressing or a special edition can be worth more, but you have to look up the details instead of assuming.
• Do the math on the whole pile. If you pay a lump sum, estimate what a realistic number of the items could sell for, then subtract your time, your booth costs or your selling fees. If the numbers only work when everything sells at top price, think twice.
• Lay everything out in one pile. That is the approach the picker suggested, and it lets both sides see the whole picture before talking money. It keeps the conversation simple and fair.
• Have a walk-away number. Decide before you start talking how much the whole lot is worth to you. If the seller will not meet it, you can thank them and leave.

Selling Old Records And Collectibles

If you are on the other side of the table, maybe sorting through the things a parent left behind, the same ideas apply in reverse. The seller in this story was in a hard spot. Clearing out a loved one’s home is hard work, and wanting it finished quickly is completely understandable. If you are in that position, a few steps can help you feel good about how it goes.

• Take a quick look online. Search the artist and title of a few records and see what similar copies have actually sold for. You do not need to price everything, only get a feel for whether a pile has something special in it.
• Set aside what matters to you. Before the sale, pull out the items with family meaning. Then you can let the rest go without second guessing.
• Be clear about what you want. A seller who says everything must go is likely to get lower offers. That may be perfectly fine if speed matters more than money, but go in knowing that is the trade.
• Consider a bundle price. Selling by the crate or by the pile saves time. Just understand that a buyer who takes the whole pile expects a discount for the convenience.

The Fun Of The Hunt

Stories like this one stick with people because they are real. Nobody knows the final answer yet. The picker could have found a nice profit, or could have bought a very expensive lesson. Either way, the picker was willing to share the number and ask for opinions. That openness is part of why so many people love watching garage sale pickers in the first place.

So the next time you see a sign that says everything must go, take a moment to look and listen. There may be a good deal waiting, and there may be a story behind it. Be kind to the person selling, and be honest with yourself about the price. And if you do make a pile, you might just come home with a story of your own to tell.

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