World's Longest Yard Sale - don't go!

Old Aug 16th, 2008, 02:42 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
World's Longest Yard Sale - don't go!

My husband and I just returned from the "World's Longest Yard Sale" after seeing it on HGTV this year. Well, we researched the event as much as we could (on the internet) - made hotel reservations - a must! BUT, had no idea that there would be so much awful junk to paw through. (We have better things in our own garage!)

Anyway, we had flown from Southern California to Cincinatti and then drove the entire sale south from there. Often this is referred to as the 127 Sale. Because it is mostly on route 127 that goes through all of these states (we skipped Ohio). I guess it would be easier if you lived closer to the sale, we did meet a couple that drove from Colorado who were very disapponted like us.

It lasts from the first Thursday of August each year and goes through Sunday. It was a nice way to see the states we had never been to, but if you're looking for a "deal" - look at Ebay, much cheaper!
smbruner is offline  
Old Aug 17th, 2008, 04:03 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 879
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the warning. My husband has been wanting to go to this since seeing the HGTV special. He loves old junk. The thought of spending all that time in the car driving from town to town is not my idea of a fun vacation, though.
Barbara5353 is offline  
Old Aug 17th, 2008, 04:30 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 23,138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You flew from Calfornia to Ohio for a yard sale? How were you planning on getting your stuff back to California?

To each his own - I am just amazed that you would do that. Sorry it was not a good trip - it actually would seem intriguing to me if I lived within easy driving distance.
gail is offline  
Old Aug 17th, 2008, 05:58 AM
  #4  
cd
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,981
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
smbruner
How does that work? Each town along the way has their residents bring stuff to a town hall? And then you just stop at a designated place?
cd is offline  
Old Aug 17th, 2008, 06:16 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 700
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We did a portion of the sale this year and really enjoyed it. Of course, we didn't fly halfway across the country for it, so that might have helped our perspective. Basically, the way it works is that people who live along the route and want to get rid of stuff, set up yard sales for four days. Mile after mile, you pass houses with tables out in the yard. In some spots, like school or church parking lots, organizations will rent out lots to people/antique dealers, so you will have lots to look at in one stop.

We started at Harrodsburg, KY and drove down to Russell Springs. It was probably 9:30am when we hit the first sale, and it took us until 5:30 to get to Russell Springs. Yes, there was a lot of junk, but my husband did score a nice meat smoker for $30 and I got an antique thoroughbred horse print that I love. You know the old saying, "One man's junk is another man's treasure" and that's basically what this is all about. There are some professional dealers along the route, and they tended to have higher prices, but we also noticed that as the day got late (we went on Saturday) that people were much more willing to negotiate. However, the bulk of the sale is just ordinary people who have cleaned out their attics and garages.

At any rate, we drove through beautiful countryside and had a great time when we stopped at an Amish farm/bakery in between Liberty and Dunnville, KY. Since we only live a couple of hours away, it was a great way to spend a Saturday.
BetsyinKY is offline  
Old Aug 17th, 2008, 06:19 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Please, smbruner, do not take this as criticism. You have done a service by alerting others. However, gail, as your fellow MA fodorite, even before I saw your response, I was telling my husband, "You have got to hear this." My response was virtually identical to yours, and while I mean no disrespect or hurtfulness to the OP, this definitely was my comic relief for the day.

All I can say is that HGTV must have done one heck of a sales pitch for the evern!
socialworker is offline  
Old Aug 17th, 2008, 07:45 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,049
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you like flea markets the one in Shipshewanna, Indiana is supposed to be a great one. Have to been to Shipshewanna but not on flea market day so would like to go back.

http://www.shipshewana.com/
Its a great place to visit but don't plan on doing anything on a Sunday as it is Amish country.
There are many Amish furniture building businesses.

bratsandbeer is offline  
Old Aug 18th, 2008, 05:26 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,611
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Couldn't you find something similar closer to you?

There are a number of similar events around the country. For example, here in Kansas we have the U.S. Highway 36 Treasure Hunt.

Kieth
Keith is offline  
Old Aug 18th, 2008, 08:08 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,874
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I feel the same way about the much praised First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas. Most of the tables are filled with junk that you wouldn't take if it was free. But if the vendor has one thing of value, the price is sky high. I agree - eBay for better deals.
missypie is offline  
Old Aug 18th, 2008, 08:53 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,549
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for this report.

Unfortunately, i have yet to see ANY "yard sale" or "flea market" or whatever name you wish to call it that did NOT have what at least one participant would consider outright "junk."

But I also understand that some folks are drawn to these sorts of things which is fine but how anyone such as yourselves (who have, I suspect, been to such sales before) can seem that suprised that there was "junk" is kinda beyond me.

Perhaps I have misinterpreted your reaction and what you were really saying is you were suprised there was SO MUCH "junk."
Dukey is offline  
Old May 8th, 2009, 05:18 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have gone to this sale for the last 4 years and LOVE IT! Yes, there is a lot of junk - as expected! But there are also a lot of wonderful bargains. And yes, I sell on ebay - the prices are low and this is one of my buying trips. So no, the prices are not better on ebay. Last year I bought a set of Italian pottery by Vietri for $22 (which I sold on ebay for a total of $850),a set of Wedgwood for $50 (which I sold for $600) and a set of Spode Iris for $200 which I sold for a whopping $1200. And this is just a fraction of what I bought. There are wonderful bargains to be found and I met so many interesting people. Yes, you have to be selective. But that's the fun!! The scenery is beautiful. If you don't like one sale - get in your car and go to the next town. You will see so many different vendors.

There are areas where there are just 1 individual sale. THen there are areas in fields and in church parking lots where you may see hundreds of vendors. There is something for everyone.

I can't wait for this year's sale!!

Jill
jilljab is offline  
Old May 8th, 2009, 05:27 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
As is clearly the case here, Jill, you and OP have such opposite perceptions of the same event, b/c your purposes are so different! OP was on vacation w/shopping as an event while you are on a business trip, which while enjoyable has the outcome of earning money for you as its goal......
socialworker is offline  
Old May 8th, 2009, 05:42 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I like junk!
What are the start and end towns of this event?
NGail is offline  
Old May 8th, 2009, 02:37 PM
  #14  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I haven't revisited this forum since I posted. Interesting comments. Perhaps my perspective is different because I was the driver! Which made it an exhausting weekend. We really did enjoy meeting the people of the states and towns we visited. I just wanted to make sure that others knew that it is very spread out and somewhat difficult to drive. Parking, getting out of the car - back into the car to drive a bit further. Just not for me I have learned. We were totally drawn into it because of the HGTV special. My husband collects antique radios, phones and fans and IF we were to find something we would've shipped it home. It was our vacation - not a trip to make money or anything.

Here is a link to the map of the sale - (or search "world's longest yard sale" and it will pop up!
http://www.127sale.com/127%20Map%2005%20Inside.pdf
smbruner is offline  
Old May 8th, 2009, 03:04 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 750
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My brother-in-law takes part in this every year as a seller setup on the Lookout Mountain Parkway segment (in NE Alabama) of the "Worlds Longest Yard Sale".

All through the rest of the year, he is going to yard sales, estate sales, flea markets, etc. to find stuff to sell during this big event in August.

He has sold brass beds, old pictures, rocking chairs, cast iron kettles, chifferobes, silverware, pots and pans.... all kinds of stuff.... he doesn't make a mint, but he enjoys sitting out and meeting all the people that come by and stop to see his wares.

And although I live in the town at the southern end of the "Worlds Longest Yard Sale", I've yet to actually attend it myself....

Keith
KE1TH is offline  
Old May 8th, 2009, 03:56 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,050
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This thread was started in August 2008, just before some drastic stuff happened to the national economy. I can't help wondering how this will affect yard saling in general. Will more people part with "good stuff" because they need the money? Will there be more buyers looking for bargains, or fewer buyers, because people are cutting out optional shopping?
Anonymous is offline  
Old May 25th, 2009, 10:49 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Interesting question, Anonymous. I think there may be more "good stuff" sold as a way to raise money. Others are always on the lookout for a good deal. I know a lot of folks look forward to the 127 Yard sale each year. Yes, much of it is just like the junk you have at home, but to someone else, it might just be that treasure they have been searching for.
If you are interested in such events, another one is held in Kentucky each year:
The 400 Miles of Antiques, Collectibles & Stuff sale runs from June 4-7 in 2009 and sales and events are planned all along the route (US Highway 68) from Paducah to Maysville.
charsuzan is offline  
Old May 25th, 2009, 10:53 AM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,854
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I bet more nice things will be on sale this year as a way to raise money. Have you seen how the furniture section of Craigslist is brimming with great deals of very nice furniture over what used to be old tabbles and couches of the past? Someone should go and report back!
Suzie is offline  
Old May 25th, 2009, 11:12 AM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It is silly to have come across the country for this, but one man's trash is always another's treasure. Hillsville WVA has a city wide yard sale over Labor Day. You never know what will turn up--that is why it is called "antiquing" or "collecting", or whatever.
There's a huge one in Texas the week of the Roundtop market.
Gretchen is offline  
Old Jun 1st, 2009, 08:35 AM
  #20  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just found this article on how to do the yard sale for those of you interested.

The World's Longest Yard Sale

By Peter Greenberg, May 2009

Peter Greenberg takes you on a trip through five states as he follows the "Highway 127 Yard Sale"

http://www.aarpmagazine.org/travel/w...yard_sale.html
smbruner is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -