Why am I always the last to know about anything cool? I thought we were friends.
I hate garage sales. And yard sales. I don’t want to go through the hassle of pricing, staging and standing around trying to sell things in my front yard. Especially things that will only bring around 50 cents.
Selling things takes patience. I have none.
We are moving and, as you would expect, had accumulated a lot of unnecessary stuff over the last seven years in this house. Things simply had to go.
What was I to do?
Then someone told me about Varage Sale.
And my world was forever changed. It was instantly somehow a little brighter. And full of rainbows. And promise.
What is Varage Sale you ask?
Varage Sale is a friendly community-based marketplace where people can buy and sell in a friendly, fun and non-threatening environment.
If you don’t already have it go immediately and download the app. All you have to do is join a community and you are ready to start hammering out deals.
It works like this: You snap and upload a picture of what you would like to sale, assign it a category (furniture, clothing, electronics) and name your price.
Your item is then added to the feed. People who are interested will comment on the item. The first person to comment has the first right to purchase the item. If they choose not to, or pass on the item as it is called, then the next person in line is up.
On Varage Sale you have to follow the rules. The rules are what keeps the community site flowing. And it keeps things fair. And if you don’t follow the rules people will call you out.
On Varage Sale you reputation as a buyer or seller is everything. Do not screw it up.
So let’s say someone agrees to buy your posted item, then what happens?
You agree to meet in a public location and exchange goods for money. That way a serial killer doesn’t show up at your house to murder you.
That is a win for anyone.
Let’s just say Varage Sale is one of the top ten best things that has ever happened to me in my life. It was going to help me get rid of the things that I no longer needed and get them to people who could use them. And give me a little cash. And everyone likes cash.
Gahhh purging feels soooooo good.
So I listed everything that I could find. Seriously it becomes addictive. You start seeing everything in your home as dollar signs.
Do we really need that lamp? Because I am pretty sure that baby would bring five bucks.
You get the point.
It didn’t take any time at all before I had sold my first item. I was a pair of baseball cleats, shin guards and an athletic bag. We agreed on a price and a meeting locations.
The drop was on.
I headed to my local Walgreens on an early Friday evening, with my sold item in hand.
I pulled into the lot and noticed that many of the parking places were already taken. I found an empty spot and parked. I was looking for a woman driving a black Ford. I scanned all of the vehicles. And then I noticed something strange.
There were deals going down all around me. Apparently I had pulled into a hot bed of Varage Sale transactions. I stepped out of the car.
One woman was walking toward me and said: Do you have the book? I shook my head no. Someone to my left called out: I have the book.
Cars were pulling in and backing out. Women trotted back and forth across the parking lot. Items were being exchanged for money at every turn.
Not many words were spoken except for the niceties of hello and thank you. I had unknowingly stumbled into the seedy world of Mom on Mom transactions.
It was fabulous!
I spotted my customer. She walked toward me smiling. I handed her the Nike bag stuffed with sports gear and she shoved eight dollars into my hand.
And just like that, it was done.
Gone are the days of Friday date nights with that special someone. No more long nights of dancing, concerts or art museums. We are all married with children. Ain’t nobody got time for that stuff anymore.
Now we moms spend our Friday evenings at the local Walgreens trying to make a dollar. But it is more than that for me.
I do it for the rush.
It feels so right to meet another mom at a rendezvous spot with the sole intention of selling my daughter’s last years coat for seven dollars.
Seven whole dollars.
I now possess a stack of ones that would make your head spin. And my house has been de-cluttered. And moms all over this town are happy with the knowledge that they got a great deal.
The saying is true. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Your son may have outgrown those roller skates but for six dollars they would fit my son just fine.
Seriously if you haven’t been introduced before, you are welcome.
Happy Varage Selling!
10 answers to your most important questions about Sildenafil Citrate
Eric says
Do the admins get paid?
Kim says
No the admins don’t make any money unless they are selling their items just like everyone else.
Jess says
There is no fee. It’s free to use (just like Facebook, Pinterest, Indtagram, Twitter, Craigslist, MySpace, etc)
Laura says
Tami Zuckerman , How does VS make money? Is there a listing fee or transaction charge?
Mommy says
I do not know about that Tami. I didn’t pay anything to list my items.
collectorsells says
There are no fees charged to buyers or seller nor will there ever be.
Tami says
VS is a well funded start up. Monetization will happen in due time with ads. There are no fees to use it, it’s free 🙂
Tami says
Hmm, I think this is broken, this was supposed to be in response to another comment from someone who asked me this question.
bob says
heard about vs from a friend. listed a few things and loved it. now my wife and I have cleaned out the garage and sold everything and next we we start on the basement
Sue D says
Hi, I thought I would let you know that I’m one of the admins of a UK VarageSale group, we joined in August 2013 and have been growing from strength to strength since. Everyone who uses VS loves how easy it is, and how simple it is to keep track of your items. We would never go back to the way it was.
Tami Zuckerman says
Tonja, this was a brilliant read!
My husband and I created VarageSale. To read about your experience was truly a gift and warmed my heart.
Your article was impeccable. It describes VS exactly and had me smiling the whole way through.
Thanks for sharing all the sides of VarageSale; it’s community aspect, it’s rush, it’s humour, it money saving/making, it’s safety, it’s cleverness. All explained so well!
VarageSale on!
Tami Zuckerman
Mommy says
Oh wow! I never expected it to reach as far as it has! Thank you so much! I’m honored.
Tam says
Just wanted to say that Tami & her husband, Carl are class acts all the way and they are the secret ingredient that makes VS what it is. You can have a great product or service but without amazing, respected leadership behind it all, it doesn’t mean anything. With Carl and Tami, you get great leadership, great examples, AND a great product/service! 🙂
Ceska_Holkacz CZ says
Amazing to see what it has grown too! It was members of my community that developed it: we were the first to try it – just amazing!
Jessica says
You explain what VS is all about so well!
I (literally) laughed out loud when you described the Walgreens parking lot because that’s the “hot spot” for meet ups around here too! It’s exactly as you described! Moms trotting to and fro with their purchases (or their cash), a few nicities and then, in the blink of an eye, we’ve all cleared out of the parking lot with our fabulous finds!
Love, love, love this post!
Mommy says
Thank you so much! I’m usually the last to know about anything awesome. Glad I am in the know now!
Virginia says
One of my favorite apps/websites. I have also sold off lots of stuff before moving, and then even more after moving when I opened boxes and said “why did I move this?!” I am able to search for things I need in a snap. Most everything is priced at garage sale prices. Plus, you don’t have to get up early to go to a garage sale.
Mommy says
Oh my goodness that’s the best part! I Varage from my recliner as I watch tv!
Helena says
If you are unfortunate enough to admin a buy/sell group on FB, take your life back! Take your group to VarageSale. It de-stressed me so much. Words cannot describe the Euphoria of actually being able to buy and sell on a platform designed specifically to do just that. Just loved your blog post. Hope you get your bed centered. I would call those movers back. LOL
Mommy says
Thank you so much Helena! I just may call them back!
collectorsells says
I was first attracted to Varagesale almost 1 1/2 years ago when it was really just beginning to take off. I can’t even imagine where this thing will be 5 years from now. There seem to be so many new Varagesale communities popping up everywhere ! Usually all members including myself were members of A Facebook yard sale group but OMG, seiously Varagesale is so much better. You want to talk about easy to post and easy to find what you are looking for ! Ilove this and so do my friends and family ! I have bought and sold quite a bit with VarageSale. Seriously guys, I have mad several thousand dollars just since this past Christmas ! I recently purchased a new Android phone form Verizon and you guessed it. Varagesale had and app for it ! How cool is that.!
Bell On Heels says
It is so easy! Too easy. I want to sell everything that I own! Ha!
jellyjuice says
I LOVE VARAGESALE! I have frnds asking me about it and others saying ‘sell this for me! lol and shopping rocks especialy w 3 kids! i take what i make n buy other stuff from the site!
Mommy says
Great idea! Trading goods!
Denise Ko says
I had two purchases today and found another three items I’m interested in. Last week I sold a dog crate in less than 24 hours. Still money ahead ;). I belong to 3 area groups, and it’s the best decision I’ve made. No more scrolling the feed to find my item to bump it. I have my own store. <3
Connie Elliott Christian says
I Love Varage Sale as much also …. I Love How You Have Worded This Blog You Cut Right In To My Heart For This Wonderful Platform. Ty And Make Those Dollars & Save Big Time On Family Quality Time …. Varagesale On Whoo Hoo!!!!
Bell On Heels says
Exactly! Thank you!
Heather says
So glad you found it also!! I love VarageSale!!1 It is so simple and it is clean and easy site to navigate:)
Denise says
Great blog! I’ve been in the community for almost a year, and Varagesale is absolutey amazing! It saves you money and makes you money at the same time! And you hit the nail on the head, the people and the rules are what makes it flow! We have great admins on ours, lucky us
Bell On Heels says
Thank you!
Kim M says
There’s no turning back once you try VS! I’m one of the admins from Amazing SE Wisconsin Deals and have been “doing deals” in walgreens parking lot for quite a while now! Lovin every minute of it! ❤️ That was a great read! Thanks
Bell On Heels says
Thank you! That’s hilarious that everyone loves Walgreens!
Stacia says
VarageSale is awesome! There are community groups all over the world, so just look for one close to you to join There are even some international and worldwide groups, if you don’t mind shipping your items or paying shipping for what you are looking for.
Patty Z says
I LOVE VarageSale! It is so organized like ebay with the categories, it only takes a minute to list an item. Super super easy your kids could do it! We have Swap Nights which are great! You can do 20 transactions in less than 30 minutes…..not kidding! In our group of mostly moms we get to know each other more because of swap night and it’s really FUN! Some hang and chat afterwards, others need to swap and run You can also set up your own meeting too if Swap nights don’t work for you. I have really been clearing out my house since using VS. I love when I want a new ceiling fan, I say to my husband I will list it and we can get a new one in the color and style I want. He agrees and seriously like 15 minutes later I am like okay lets go to Lowes and get a new ceiling fan! He says not until you sell the old one, I say I did and I also sold the entry light, and the light in the window, can you take them down too I need them for the swap tomorrow That is a true story! If you price your items right they MOVE! It’s a yard sale not Macy’s. I sold the ceiling fan for $40 the entry light for $20 and the bay window light for $10. I was thrilled with that! I LOVE VS! Also the people who run the site are so kind and helpful. You ask the help desk a question and you get a reply very quickly! I really think someday VarageSale will be a HUGE company! I am so lucky to be a part of the VS Family
Mommy says
I agree with you. I think VS is going places!
Tammy O. says
I love VarageSale for all the same reasons! In fact, I’m an admin for one of the first groups. It’s awesome and so much better than the anonymity of other platforms because it is community-based with its tie to Facebook. There are also iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire apps. All for FREE! Go shopping!
Kim says
Sounds much better than Craiglist murder!!!