The quilters want you to give them the fabric absolutely free. Even though they probably have the money to buy your stuff with ease. As for the older people, shoplifting is a game to them. Not only they want something for nothing, they want to see if they can get away with the stuff. That is why I don't have yard/garage sales.

The sad thing is that the folks who have so very little always make sure they pay, while those who seem to have a lot try to steal. I think a previous poster was right when they said, "It's a game." And you were so shocked that it was hard to find the right words. We just had an auction and the folks were supposed to take everything from their lot away...whether they wanted it or not. They didn't and we've spent the last month cleaning the left behinds. I think TV shows are leading to some of the bad behavior. in MHO.

Regarding the fabric prices if they are not willing to pay at least $2-3 a yard tell them to move on. It's ridiculous for folks to think they can go to a garage sale and get something for a few pennies on a $10-12 a yard fabric.

As for the couple shoplifting I would have challenged them to pay and if they made a stink of it and took off I'd have gotten there car tag number and called the police and had them charged for shoplifting or theft by taking. There is no excuse for there actions. Someone needs to stop them. If they did it at your sale they are doing it elsewhere.

Don't know why folks think they can come to a garage/yard sale and get things for free by taking it or thinking they can get it for a quarter.

My sentiments exactly.

Did you sell much with your prices the way they were? Unless traffic was light at your sale, the market will tell you what the right price to move the fabric is. The larger question is this -- what price are you ok with? Selling our good fabric involves our emotions.

And shoplifting at a garage sale (or anywhere) is deplorable! It is awkward to confront people when there is a crowd and you are busy with the sale. But even if you aren't successful in getting them to pay, calling attention to them and letting them know that you saw it will be an embarrassment to them and may put a damper on their shoplifting.

Dayle

People want really cheap at garage sales.

DITTO! It's not up to buyers as to how much you charge. Either pay it, or or counter-offer. If you feel your price is fair, and it truly is, too bad if they don;t want to pay it. This is why I HATE having yard sales. Folks offer you 50 cents for a dining table and chairs then get huffy if you don't jump on it... And as for the thieves I would have marched right up to them and told them I saw them stealing.... They probably get away with it all the time.... sad...

I gave up on doing garage sales years ago. People practically expect you to pay them to take it away. If it isn't worth any more than that, I throw it away. Otherwise, I give it to charity.

I put a bunch out at 1.00 yard. Sold some kept some. I refused to lower prices unless they were buying a lot of other things. Fabrics I didn't want to return to stash I donated to chairity like Angels of Mercy they do Pillowcase dress projects, Schools also looks for stuff like that. Quilt stores often collect fabric for linus project. Also your local animal pound can use it. You will at least get more on your donation as a tax write off. Make sure you list what you donate. IE 3 yards of yellow cotton valued at 12.00 and so on in case of an aduit.
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I don't sell stuff I don't want any more. I take it to the Goodwill, ask for a receipt, and turn it in on my taxes. I get some credit off what income taxes I have to pay, hopefully someone needy gets what I don't want/need any more, and I don't have to fool with people bargaining on what I think my stuff is worth. I only have to sort it and carry it out once, unlike the last yard sale I had many years ago where most of it didn't sell and I had to haul it all back inside. It's all good.