Southern Shopping
 

New to the South? These shopping options may be new to you
By Bric Barker
Published: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 The West Georgian
(State Univ of West Georgia.
Southerners have a unique perspective when it comes to shopping. We are not afraid to own somebody else's junk. One man's refuse is another man's knick-knack. No matter the economic bracket in which a consumer may reside, money can be saved if you simply know the shopping breakdown:

Estate sale: The fancy term used by people who want to sell the junk left behind by a departed loved one. If the family isn't arguing over who gets it, why would I want it? Of course, most families have no idea of the value of things like first edition books, those funny blue dishes from the Depression, or those old Superman comics. No, they are too busy arguing over whether grandpa's Mistletoe Beanie Baby has been retired yet or not. Estate sales are a great place to browse for the true occasional overlooked treasure.

Garage sale: I need to say that, etymologically speaking, the word garage is only one letter away from being garBage. Coincidence? I think not. Expect a lot of old clothes the Salvation Army would reject. If you are costuming a period piece for your community theatre, this is where you need to be. Broken appliances, mixers, hot-air poppers, hair dryers, etc. Stop here onlybriefly before hitting the landfill. I am constantly amazed at what people will buy for a nickel.

Yard sale: Same as a garage sale without the class of an actual garage in case of inclement weather. You've seen the yards full of rope strung from tree to tree laboring under the behemoth weight of plaid western shirts with snaps. If you're lucky, you can escape the macram plant holder jungle. Short on cash? You may be able to get that broken curling iron for mere pennies!

Antique stores: Where the sophisticated shopper purchases his junk. True collectors of antiques love to browse through these quaint stores, patiently deciding for themselves if the story about each piece is worth the exorbitant amount the dealer is asking because that's really why we buy antiques: to tell the stories to our friends. "Oh that? Yes, George Washington's second cousin's maid's daughter sat in that chair!" Price of the story: $250. Actual worth: firewood.

Flea market: If you want colorful stories to go with each item at a reasonable price, flea markets are the place to shop. I once bought a Pez dispenser (broken) because the dealer assured me it was used in a drive-by shooting. The great thing--it still only cost me a quarter. The scary thing about shopping at flea markets is being seen shopping at a flea market. You can justify being seen at a yard sale because that's an impulse shopping choice. You drive by, you see the paper sign hammered into the front yard on that wooden stick, and your curiosity gets the better of you. You want to be a voyeur into the seller's life. No matter if your life stinks, it all seems better knowing that you never bought an Inside the Egg Shell Egg Scrambler! Flea market shopping implies a conscious decision to buy junk, but what wonderful junk it is! The only thing to really question is the legal status of some of the bargains.

Swap meets: For the truly thrifty and adventurous. A no-win situation for most. Yes, you get rid of that hideous deer-leg lamp that's been gracing the dark corners of your basement and scaring the kids for years, but you'll end up coming home with a Commondore computer keyboard missing the letters M and A. Do not lose hope - I've actually seen commemorative Elvis plates to be had.

With technology came improvements. Now the discriminating Southern shopper may purchase junk from the comfort and privacy of their own home thanks to eBay and the Home Shopping Network.

For anyone interested, I've got a Pez dispenser used in a drive-by.

http://www.thewestgeorgian.com/news/...ml?mkey=627408

I am not sure this guy has been to garage and yard sales in TN:) Here, you can actually find nice stuff, only slightly used. Yes, you have to overlook the extreme white trash sales... But, if you get up early on Saturday and go drive around, you are bound to find something you like/want:)

He forgot the CONSIGNMENT sales... These bad boys are mainly for children's clothes, toys, furniture, etc. But, you can find REALLY nice stuff!

I bought my desk for my computer at a Garage Sale/Yard Sale for $20, and I painted it. It's soooo cute.

Also, I shop at Antique Stores a lot. Not all of them are expensive. I like making stuff out of antigues. I recently bought an old washboard...I am in the process now of painting it and I bought some girly magnets for it...I might make the top part a corkboard..

I also bought an old antique window pane and made a coffee table. it's really cool and unique.

My next projects are a DVD case out of old shutters and a Vanity Table out of an old boxy suitcase.

I am the martha stewert/ sabby chic type of person when it comes to yard/garage/estate/tent sale. I love finding unique things. I have found what i restored is an armoir and i have found this and thats all over...... i love old stuff that looks like something you can restore.

I truly have a fasincation of the south and going to school there i have found two styles i love....

i think i have a true southern clothing style and furnishings if there is such a thing.

But when it comes to a good yard sale or garage sale ... whatever i am there!

The people who buy stuff from our yard sales are making out like bandits. They're going home with NY&Co., Coach, Limited, Express, Bebe, BCBG, and all kinds of other stuff. We take all of our formal gowns to consignment shops, though. I'll probably sell my wedding dress on ebay or something like that. I'm paying about $1000 so someone else can pay 6 or 700. I'd never sell someone a broken curling iron... that kinda stuff goes to the dump :)

edited because I can't spell for sh*t

Oooohh, and I love the chilren's exchange/clothing sales that all the preschools do for fundraisers! You can get some great gently used clothes for pretty cheap. The one I participate in is extremely picky - if there is a stain anywhere on it, (even something tiny and barly noticeable) it will be rejected. Some stuff is brand new - kids want it in the store and when you get it home they suddenly don't like it and refuse to wear it. (GRRRR!)

The guy forgot to mention THRIFT STORES!!! I went yesterday with a ChiO friend of mine (Lynn - it was Debbie Scott) to two nearby thrift stores (in Riverdale, Lynn!) and had a blast -- she is teeny tiny (like a size 4 :rolleyes: or something) and bought a ton of adorble clothes -- Ann Taylor, etc....I was just shopping for shirts for my older son to wear to church -- e.g. polo shirts -- things with collars (which he loathes!). My friend and I always check out the housewares too -- I got some wonderful Xmas stuff -- brand new xmas mugs (great teacher gift when you put a starbucks gift card or fancy tea bags in it) for just 25 cents! She got some great vintage pottery also.

THRIFT STORES ROCK!:D

Wow, you're so handy! I think you should be on the GC decorating show "Sorority Eye for the Fraternity Guy" and redecorate houses across the country!

I confess, I LOVE junk shops! I can spend hours in an old book store. Here the Junior League has a shop called the Nearly New.
I have seen some beautiful items go through-but I've also seen a lot of trash.

My sister and Mom are going to have a "moving sale" and I will contribute. I'll tell you what, my son has some shirts worn once or twice when he went through his growth spurt. These are Polos and Nautica and some Doc Martins, pants and practically brand new jeans. Who ever hits the racks first will get a steal of a deal!

LOL...I just like to do do things like that..This past week I've painted the walls of my mom's kitchen and living room...so now I have to do all new decor for her house because none of her old ones match. I cannot wait, I am soo excited.