[missylaw]

I am planning on having a garage sale on 9/26 and 27. The purpose of the garage sale is to try to raise money to pay to ship boxes to a Hogar in Guatemala(run by Maya's attorney) and some supplies to ASOFamilia. It's going to cost a decent amount. I already have everything I want to send bought and ready to go and if I am adding correctly due to weight it could be a couple hundred $. Ok, here is my point. I was going to send out a flyer/e-mail to friends who live close letting them know that we are holding a garage sale and all proceeds will go towards sending supplies to Guatemala. I would also like to ask in the flyer if any of them have furniture, old tools, books and such that they would be willing to donate to sell at the GS, but state that we are loaded with kids clothes so we are staying away from any clothes. Is that tacky to ask that? I don't want them to think I am asking for a monetary donation (usually garage sales do ok around here) I want them to know that I am working to try to make the money and am not asking for a handout. Anyway, bring it on...is it tacky to ask for donations (in regards to sell at the GS?) I really don't want to offend any of our friends or neighbors.

We did make over $800 at our last sale and that one was the beginning of our "adoption fund" but nobody knew that at the time. I was amazed at making that amount and would be happy to make$100-$200 this time to cover cost. If I do make more, I am going to buy more supplies and ship them.

[gwenrenee007]

Not tacky at all! A note though on the kids clothes is that you could take them (like new or gently used) and put ads on your local craigslist for really cheap and make some extra money that way too.

[cjrogers]

I don't think it's tacky, but you may want to leave out the "no clothes". Like GwenRenee said you can sell them on craig's list or go to a "kid to Kid" or another resale type shop to raise cash with them.

[pamcita]

or (also thinking about the clothes) could you pack them up for the kids in Guatemala?

I agree with Gwen: not tacky at all to ask. It's a great cause, and you're offering an easy opportunity to make a difference... many people will appreciate this.

[KJones5]

I think most people will be happy that you are offering them a way to get rid of their "junk" and the proceeds go to a worthy cause!

[Michelle Smiles]

I wouldn't find it tacky at all - nor would I be offended if you included a note that due to current inventory you can accept donations of anything except children's clothing.

[missylaw]

Thanks so much for all your input. I feel better having heard from you that you wouldn't be insulted. My only issue with the clothes is that after 3 boys and 1 princess that I went just a tad overboard with buying for Maya (along with her grandmother..Nana are you lurking?) we have so many clothes. I plan to send down anythig that doesn't sell. I was thinking when things are slow in Jan/Feb here I might do a "clothing p/u" and donate what others would like to get rid of. I know if someone a year ago would have asked me, I would have handed over three rubbermaid containers of only girl clothes I went downstairs to the basement yesterday and realized I might have to work for months to get through all our "stuff"!! At least the kids all got the day off d/t wind damage and most without electric...what would I do today without my internet??? So, I can put them to work..they will be so happy

Thanks again and keep your fingers crossed that we make enough to send. I went on FedEx and about fell over what it would cost to send a 15 and a 20lb box. I might have to sell the car to cover shipping?

[LRA]

Whew, I was worried you were going to be selling old undies LOL I agree that nothing sounded tacky to me, but I would just accept anything anyone was willing to give. Are you planning to hang up a sign at your actual garage sale about the proceeds? I would and maybe even add a note that all donations are greatly appreciated incase someone might not see anything they want to buy, but want to give a dollar to a great cause. Are your kids going to sell drinks or cookies? Crossing my fingers for you to have a very successful weekend. It is my 22nd Anniversary, so it's sure to be a great one

[missylaw]

Oh man Tish, now I have to take the underwear out of the stack and I just priced them all!! Just kidding...REALLY!
I was going to post a sign at the sale and also along with that, put it in the add in our local suburban paper next week hoping it might draw in even more (we have a large central ohio group who have adopted from Guatemala so they would "get it")

I can't believe how much stuff we actually have. It was so hard going through Maya's stuff especially some of the things she only wore once. I did put aside all the "important" outfits to keep for her, but they all still bring back memories.


The boys have begged to have a lemon-aid and cookie stand so we will have that for sure...last sale it poured both days so really hoping this time it's different. Maybe since it's your Anniversary it will bring us good luck!!
Thanks for all your input.
Missy

[Slatond10]

I am a garage sale junky and have held a few as well...

So , no it is NOT tacky to ask for donations. I already have a pile accumulating for my next one or someone else's. I would gladly donate if you were my neighbor/family/friend.

Personally, I just like to "get rid" of stuff that doesn't fit or we don't use.

But agree w/ other posters, wouldn't say "no clothes".. Clothes are one of the #1 selling items and every $1 counts!

BTW I sent a big box to GC and it cost $500 to ship... needless to say I won't do that again in that way! But I would expect the cost to be high depending on size of shipment!

[euphemie]

You may want to look into shipping through Medrano Express if you have one handyby. They charge by cubic foot not by weight so it can save $$

[LRA]

I remember how hard it was to get rid of my dd's stuff when she outgrew it. This might not help with your garage sale idea but my step-mom suggested I keep the favorites and she is going to make a quilt from them for Katie. She is one of those crafty types. She had all of my family and hubby's family make a square with something that made them think of us (like that I love Oreos and me and my dad ate them together all the time...so there was a patch with an oreo cross stitched) you know what I am trying to say?) and she gave it to us at our reception. Anyway, it was such a wonderful gift. Now you know what to do with all the undies you just took out of the pile.......

[Hopingsoon]

No, not tacky to say no clothes! I've had two garage sales since John came home, and the very LAST things to go were his clothing items, and they were NICE! From now on, if economical, clothing items will go to Guatemalan orphanages. If not economical to ship, they will stay in the states and go to needy mothers here. I'm not even going to bother trying to sell the stuff anymore. I was amazed at the nice clothing that people wouldn't pay $.50 or $1.00 for, but the carp they bought for $5

In a way, though, I understand. Being 39 when my son came home, he wore nothing but the best - and new, too. LOL, now that I see how he trashes anything and everything withing moments of it going on (him & me) I have a very different opinion now - all that counts is that it's cheap, sturdy & withstands multiple washings at high temperatures. No more Polo 'til he's likely to keep it clean.