Why do we do it? Why do we encumber ourselves with possessions? —Alice Thomas Ellis
(In a few short weeks, many will be doing their spring cleaning and letting go of the stuff they have squirreled over the years, either to reclaim space for some breathing room or liquidating items for a few extra bucks. Hard core pack rats will hang on to their possessions preferring to rent public storage units instead. Mainly because of the recession, people are finding ways to downsize, live lean, scrimp and save and weather the tough times.)
Starting up as an immigrant? There is one guerilla tactic you ought to know. The key is to scrimp your way through, at least in the early stages. If doing this is beneath you, fold that ego to the size of a postage stamp and take heed. Take care NOT to start creating a financial burden by going into debt. The root of this current financial crisis can be traced to millions of consumers that are over-extended, living beyond their means or borrowing on future incomes. Immigrant or not, CASH REMAINS KING. With a little cash, you can go to garage sales, tag sales and estate sales to find practically everything that you will need, and more besides, to set you up in your new place —for just pennies on the dollar. Indeed, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
America is a consumer society and the amount of discarded things is simply staggering. Out with the old, in with the new. Every season brings new fashions and trends and since closet, basement and garage spaces are at a premium (most times, bursting at the seams) and public storage units cost money, there is an endless round of garage sales going on in America. Plates, silverware, kitchen items, small and big appliances, decor, furniture, framed art, clothes, videos, audio and video tapes and tools are the usual fare. Some are new and still in the original box. To the discerning eye, there may be genuine antiques, junques or junk that pass for antiques (the kind you see on the BBC Antiques Roadshow) or in extremely rare occasions, priceless works of art hidden in dust and grime found more than likely in the original 13 states of the Union. Best times to go are in spring, summer and early fall.
In life as in garage "sale-ing", the early bird gets the early worm. The selection is better but the prices will be marked a tad higher unless the seller wants to seriously dispose of his merchandise fast and pack up early. There’s a newer twist though. Huge estate sales (pumped up, hyped up garage sales) are conducted by professional estate handlers or brokers and the prices are retail rates and since the merchandise has been picked apart, very few surprises are left.
Learn to negotiate. The price you pay is not what you deserve, but what you negotiate. If you are uncomfortable with haggling, get someone who can dicker with the seller in a courteous, pleasant way. The key is to be respectful. Never disparage what is being sold in the transparent attempt to get a lower price. This just irritates the seller. Simply ask politely, "Would you take less for this?" And then you can low-ball it. Need cheap practice on negotiating? This is it.
Merchandise is sold on an "as is" basis and most of the time, is not returnable. Caveat emptor. Buyer, beware. Inspect closely. There are more trustworthy sellers than there are hucksters. They will tell you if the item is working or if there is a crack or a flaw on it. There are no guarantees. You decide on the spot and there is no turning back—most times.
Above all, HAVE FUN! Getting something you need, want or crave at a price of a song and a dance is delightful. However, do this with balance and moderation. If you become obssessive-compulsive with even as trifling a thing as going to garage sales, you can find yourself morphing into a pack rat accumulating stuff for the sake of hoarding. Curb the greed. Let others have fun, as well. In time, you yourself will hold your own garage sales because your house is packed to the rafters with other people’s discards. Trim your possessions down to size. Get back that breathing space. In feng shui, empty spaces spell growth and possibilities. Cramped quarters are energy choke points.
As you mature and become more savvy, you’ll realize stuff is just stuff. Possessions are encumbrances that can weigh us down, if we let them. As we travel down life’s highways, nothing can be more pleasing that travelling light.
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( Published on February 4, 2009 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. B2 )
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