It's been a long time since my father and I opened up our dusty garage to the picking hands of our community.
Years ago, I'd slip rather snuggly into my purple Levi's. But when I saw they were dramatically above my ankles, I knew it was time to go our separate ways. My poor Levi's were going to a garage sale.
My dad and I sorted through crates of stuffed animals and Barbies that just weren't as cool as they used to be. They too would be joining my Levi's.
But this wasn't your typical garage sale. This one was Arizona's biggest garage sale.
On Saturday, the Junior League of Phoenix, an all-women volunteer organization, held their annual rummage sale at the Arizona Exposition and State Fair facilities.
I sat anxiously waiting for buyers to arrive. As a little girl, it was fun collecting money and slipping it into my play cash register.
The exhibit was flooded with people hungry for a bargain. Women, young and old, clawed through used handbags and purses, thrilled to find anything with a popular label.
Amongst all these women, I stumbled across one whom I thankfully shared a commonality with. She was wearing an ASU sweatshirt.
Jenny Pina, an ASU nursing sophomore and survivor of the designer-purse mob, said, "My sister and I came here looking for Gucci purses, but right when we entered, a woman was carrying a whole bucket of them outside with her," she said.
I believe Pina was one of the ones standing in line at 7 a.m. for first dibs on other people's belongings. But the doors were not scheduled to open until 8 a.m. Maybe if Pina arrived at 6 a.m. she could be a proud Gucci-bag owner.
The early-bird shoppers were welcomed with a countdown for the grand opening. Just like New Years Eve, except there was no alcohol in sight, which was probably in everyone's best interest.
The scene inside was like a Wal-Mart on Black Friday. Shoppers scrambled around as if someone told them it was their last day to shop.
The turnout was staggering to me. I was reminded of the old garage sale saying: "One person's junk is another person's treasure." Some people were looking for unique and particular items while others just wanted a bargain.
Phoenix resident Brian Jenkins, 41, said he waited in the line outside for an hour Saturday morning. He said it was well worth the wait because of all the good bargains.
"I was looking for a space heater today, which I found, but a lot of the other stuff I bought isn't stuff that I really need," Jenkins said.
Jenkins said he tries to make it to the garage sale every year. This was his fourth year coming.
Garage sales are an American staple. Not just that, they are a perfect example of American culture.
As Americans, we buy stuff we don't need, simply because we can. Whether you're wealthy or poor, a cheap price is always attractive. Wal-Mart recognized this American way and made an empire out of it.
With that said, I'm going to clean out my closet. Who knows, maybe I'll make a fortune off selling my junk at a cheap price. All I need now is my fake cash register and smiley face stickers to pass out to my shoppers.
Sarah is a journalism junior. Reach the reporter at ssturges@imap2.asu.edu.
