Fewer yard sales but just as popular

Many local residents appeared to be out in full swing Saturday morning looking for gently-used items and other treasures among other people's belongings in neighborhood yard sales. Though only 11 yard sale ads — moving and estate sales included — ran in Saturday’s local paper, many other residents decided to take advantage of placing items on their lawns in the hope of making a few extra dollars while getting rid of things.

“We just had too much stuff and this was the best way to get rid of it. I figure we might as well make a little money in the process,” said Shirlee Williams. “I almost didn’t want to do it but I had already ran an ad in the paper and felt I had to.”

Candy Natzke was glad she didn’t cancel. It was at the Williams’ yard sale where she found a handful of little boy clothing.

“I love going to yard sales and finding bargains,” Natzke said. “Sometimes you find stuff that is really interesting. And you always find good deals on kids clothing. ”

Natzke said she was shopping for her grandson.

“Look at this. They probably only wore it a couple of times,” Natzke said. “You can find some really nice-condition clothing a lot cheaper than you would at Kohl’s. I just bought all this for $5. The way the economy is, you gotta really watch it.”

Natzke was not the only one who felt that way. Many shoppers admitted to picking up necessary items at bargain prices.

Other shoppers said they were just out for the thrill of the hunt.

“I love this. Yard sales can be so addicting,” said Dolores Meurer. “I usually get out my [news] paper and find and circle the best deals, throw on my clothes and head out the door. I do this every Saturday. You can find some good deals.”

Meurer said she tends to run into some of the same people going from house to house.

“Sometimes the same people follow me — or I follow them,” she said.

As Meurer browsed through boxes of items, Anna Garcia did too.

“Usually we just do it as a way to spend the morning together,” she said. “Sometimes we find something good.”

As Garcia’s husband loaded a small desk and two end tables into a truck, the rest of the family browsed through dishes, clothing, gadgets and VHS tapes.

“People still do yard sales because we still continue to get stuff we don’t use anymore,” said Sharlene Eckhoff of her sale. “We just had to get rid of this stuff. Most often than not, yard sales are not worth the extra effort but we decided to have one since they are kind of fun.”

Eckhoff said she enjoys watching the customers that come to the home.

“It’s fun to see what people buy. Stuff you think is nice that they would want is left and stuff you didn’t think would sell, goes. Knickknacks and household gadgets are usually the first to go.”

Eckhoff said she recently went to Visalia on a weekend and was shocked at the number of yard sales in nice neighborhoods. And since he had not had one for a while, decided to have one.

“It’s a really nice day and it’s a great time for people to hang out,” Eckhoff said. “Getting ready is hard but this is fun. And afterwards, you take what you want to keep and then just call someone to haul it all away.”

Eckhoff referred to a trend many residents follow of donating left-over items to charity. It is a practice several yard sale people agreed with.

“They make a few bucks and they don’t want to put all that stuff back in your house so they give it away,” said Sally Mora. “You get the best deals first thing in the morning and at the end of the day. But if you really like something, you can’t wait or it won’t be here but sometimes you get lucky.”

Mora said she has been going to yard sales for a few years and feels there are less participants, but still plenty to enjoy.

“You just have to keep your eyes open. Not everyone advertises,” she said. “Usually where there is one sale, you will find several in the area.”

Mora also said she will stop at busy sales but sometimes finds the best treasures at unadvertised, out of the way, sales with few customers.

At Arthur Beltran’s home, business was brisk.

“It’s a lot cooler today. I think that helped,” Arthur Beltran said as his son, Wally Beltran helped him run the yard sale. “It’s been busy all day.”

Arthur Beltran said he had not held a yard sale for more than a year, but because he is unemployed and had a lot of things laying around, he decided to hold a sale.

“We have too much stuff, so we might as well get a little extra cash to help out,” he said.

The Beltrans were selling everything from a new keyboard Wally got for Christmas but never used, to a telescope, some home-made barbecue grills, clothing and miscellaneous household items.

What makes his sales successful is that he does not offer junk for sale, and will often lower his price drastically to help out a person in need. To him, he said, it’s all about quality and being considerate and kind to people.

“I just sold this air conditioner to the wife of someone whose husband is fighting in Iraq. I had it for $160 but when she told me that her small place is so hot and that her husband is in Iraq. I had to do my part too,” Arthur Beltran said. “I let it go for $100 and told her I would deliver it to her. He’s out there fighting for us. It’s the least I can do.”