Cash for trash or treasure: What's your pleasure?

Thu, 07/17/2014 - 8:30am

Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor always tend to have a large amount of yard sales, estate sales and items for sale throughout the summer. It's a challenge to find your trash or treasure.

I went to one Friday morning, as it is the premier day for sales in any town. I was greeted by a line of people who were waiting to enter an estate tag sale. The company, Caring Transitions, is out of Brunswick and owned and operated by Elizabeth MacMullen. I did not get a chance to talk to Elizabeth as she was right in the middle of the crowd talking to customers negotiating for prices. Her company organizes sales for individuals wishing to liquidate estates of loved ones in a professional manner.

I have been to probably 20 estate sales and have always found them to be fairly priced and well displayed in respect to the families. I once missed out on some very nice pieces of furniture for my daughter's house as they were bought up quickly.

I spoke to Susan Brackett, a good friend who had picked out a couple of curios for friends and she noted what fun it was to find a good deal. There is a point of where it almost becomes a social event for some as you get to know frequenters of these sales.

I ran into our Editor-at-Large Joe Gelarden, who waved and smiled as he and I have crossed paths on more than one occasion at these sales. His wife, Susan, has a real eye for bargains. Tom MacNamara walked away with a level and T-square for $5.

So, summertime and sales are here; dress light, bring plenty of ones, fives and tens and your checkbook, as some people make take a check for a large dollar item like a generator, lawn mower or chainsaw. These sale are not specific to furniture or knick knacks.

You can find a current listing of yard sales in our print and e-edition of the Boothbay Register or Wiscasset Newspaper weekly.