This morning is probably the last of the cool mornings until the fall in these parts. There were thunderstorms around midnight last night and I wasn't expecting much to be listed when I checked over my morning coffee -- people do have day jobs after all, and most garage sales start on Fridays. However, I did notice one sale listed for today within a quick driving distance with that magic keyword "BOOKS" leaping out at me. I decided to take a chance, hopped in the car and headed out.
Now, I try to pay attention to the location of the sales, especially when they don't post pictures to CraigsList. You can usually get an idea about what will be available based on the neighborhood and how they slant their postings. "A little something for everyone" is not always the case, I've found. Certain neighborhoods will be middle-class suburban families, for instance. I can expect that if I show up to these types of sales I'll find a ton of toddler clothing -- oh so lightly used, mind you -- maybe some dishware and perhaps a copy or two of some kind of workout book or self-help manual. These things do not interest a man of my disposition, and I'm starting to get better with my "spidey-sense" thus avoiding the disappointment and cost in gas.
As I approached the sale, slowing down for the various school zones as hurried and distracted soccer moms dropped off their little ones, I started to get a little nervous. Was this going to be another blow-out? Am I destined to be poring over stained and washer-frayed onesies, half-used packs of Pampers and used breast-feeding equipment? (Do I want to know the kind of individual who'd be a target market for these items?) The neighborhood started to sour in my mind, but I figured I was already here... might as well give it a drive-by. I pull up and hop out with some trepidation -- I could see from the curb an assortment of prefabricated shelving units and a large hanger with clothes. "Books... they listed books. I had better find a church recipe book at the very least" I muttered. The proprietor of the sale greeted me -- a lady in her 70's at a guess, offering the typical salutation of "good morning and thanks for coming out!" I replied as nicely as I could muster considering my lack of caffeine while suspiciously eyeing the floral pattern dishes.
The only other person there at the time was a soccer mom type, inconveniently hovering around the lone bookshelf in the back of the garage, gleefully snagging Elmo board-books. My heart sank a little bit -- this was not to be a treasure trove of philosophy or history tomes, no. Grandma's getting rid of the little tykes' first readers. I let out a small sigh and allow Soccer Mom to continue her hoovering, turning my attention back to the card tables in the driveway.
...sparkle, sparkle. Spidey-sense tingling... Hm, what's this? A 6 pin commemorative numbered set for Chicago Bulls victories. Really? I hate basketball, but I am originally from Chicago and I've seen my fair share of drunks pouring out of late-night tattoo parlors with their (at the time) proud branding of the bull logo placed obnoxiously somewhere obvious on their cheese-fed bodies. I pull out my smartphone and start searching... and yup, it's mine now.
I am no longer thinking of myself. I am thinking of Joe Consumer. My mind is right.
With new eyes, I am now able to spy a "new in box" (golly-gee, I do love the sound of that phrase) Hot Wheels Roll-up Raceway. Do I collect Hot Wheels? Of course not, but there's someone out there who does. What's this? A Snoopy doll? Just so happens it's apparently a rare 1980's collector's item and it hasn't been used as a dog toy...
...Soccer Mom takes her Elmo books and gits... finally! I move over to take a gander at what remains...
Ah, a Dr. Seuss book. 1970's, beat up, 2nd printing. Fine, it's mine for the price -- not salable, but personal want and desire takes over. (I like Dr. Seuss stuff in general... don't hate, appreciate!) I catch myself. Think like the person buying from you! Yow... there's a complete set of those Seventh Day Adventist "Bible Story" books as well as the additional supplemental tome "Bible Reading For The Home" in darn-near mint condition! Probably the 1970's printings, but the spines crack when I leaf through the first few... I'm still unsure exactly what year they were put out, but I'm now one of the cheaper listings, well within range of what people paid previously. Shipping's going to be a hassle as they weigh around 20 lbs total, but hey... where else can you find a delicately designed illustration of the fall of Jericho? Grandma's tykes couldn't be bothered to read 'em, but I'm gambling someone has a home for them.
The smart dollar is still on the Snoopy doll, but we'll see.
The other exciting news this morning was that as I listed today's finds, I heard the "ka-ching!" sound from my phone... Someone will be the happy owner of a 10-record lot of Disneyland LPs (with books), which effectively paid for the jaunt to the estate sale. I guess wishing upon that particular star worked out.
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