Um, I think that there needs to be one or two (or more) reality checks in the garage sale arena. As Anderson Cooper might say (with a dash of poetic license and/or paraphrasing), there is a “need to keep ‘em honest.”

Let us start with these realities. (You can always check out my list of pet peeves at http://www.examiner.com/garage-sales-in-kansas-city/garage-sale-pet-peeves.

1. There is a real and a perceived definition of HUGE. You should not say a sale is huge, if it is not. If there is more stuff in my car than in your garage, that is not overly large.

2. There is a real and a perceived sense of a neighborhood sale. You should not claim that you are having a neighborhood or subdivision sale, if merely a few people are participating. I went to a neighborhood sale today with 3 houses open.  Not doing that again.

3. You should not say an item works, is new, or has any specific feature or value unless you know for 100% certain, and are willing to sell your garage sale soul on it.     

Why tell the truth? Not only is it bad karma or juju to lie, deceive or exaggerate, it will haunt you in future sales. Folks (experts and otherwise) will not return to the ‘hood the next time you have a sale. Folks will spread the word and ‘dis you right and left, up and down. That may even affect your sales this time, as word of mouth is not going to be in your favor.

I am sure there are a tons more reality checks. These just stick out TODAY. I will get back to you with more and in the meantime, please share yours with me.  (lisa@garagesalegreatness.com).

Lisa