Yard Sales; Why didn't they have them when I was a kid?

[Adam Helmer]

I like yard sales and was trying to determine when they began. I do not ever recall seeing any in the 1950s, 60s, 70s or even the 1980s. Has anyone an idea when this craze hit the USA? I am glad yard sales evolved into American culture, but when was the first one you ever heard about or saw?

Adam

[wrenchman]

they have had them here from as far as i can remember here

[skeet]

Ya know never thought about it but the first one I ever saw was about 1968 or so. My wife and I did yard sales, but seldom, in the early 70s..mostly kids clothes. tween my mother and mother in law we didn't have to buy much in kids clothes. MIL worked in a place called the Nearly New Shop(baby Goodwill). We always got the new stuff;) I have really done well at YS here in Wy..see my previous post

[Jack]

I can remember seeing a few in the 70's.

[skeet]

You know when we were kids everybody was kinda poor. Nobody had any crap they wanted to get rid of..either it was good or it was junk and thrown away. LOL!!


Well, It sounds good anyway...and was really true where I grew up

[Jack]

People move more often now, so they have to get rid of stuff.
Back in the 40's, 50's and 60's, it was a lot more common for someone to work in one place his/her entire career. These days, that's pretty rare.
More moving = more garage sales.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

There were always garage sales when I was growing up (60's & 70's); while moving may play a part of it now, I don't think it did back then.
Usually, it was because kids had grown up and had playthings, clothes, and other stuff that they just didn't use anymore.
I think that the increase in the number and volume of garage/yard sales nowadays is based on several factors:

1.) We are a consumer based economy....people buy 'stuff' just to buy "stuff"; they found out later that they didn't need it, really didn't want/like it, have too many, ect, ect.

2.) people todays are looking for a way to make a few extra $$$.....they don't have time to work a second job, or only need a few bucks for a special event....they get rid of excess 'stuff' while pocketing a few extra dollars for minimal effort.

3.) Technology is changing rapidly nowadays.....look at cell phones, computer games, DVDs & records ( and other entertainment media), ect......stuff that was cutting edge 5 years ago is now obsolete!:rolleyes:

[GoodOlBoy]

My grandmother was a garage sale (yard sale) addict back in the late 70s and ealy 80s in Houston. We hit them just about every weekend.

GoodOlBoy

[wrenchman]

my grandmother use to have a bumper sticker that said i brake for yard sales