A surprise purchaser means that we’re in the process of emptying our storage house that we’ve owned for 20 years. To be clear, we’re not quitting our actual house that is in the same hameau.
There’s a lot of old household items, furniture, unused renovation materials, etc.
There’s a lot to go before the sale completes in (probably) early July 2026.
In order to not waste time trying to sell stuff piecemeal on Le Bon Coin, Facebook Marketplace etc. I’m contemplating holding a garage sale/vide maison on two separate weekends, probably at the beginning & end of May in order to use the jours fériés to good effect.
I’d welcome hearing people’s experience of doing similar kinds of sales. I’m not that worried about making money from the process (although that’s always nice) , but am keen to pass things on to good homes.
We have some local charity shops that do take most things, & we have used that option already. However, things like doors & Velux flashing kits aren’t really their bag…
So, is this a good idea?
P.S. I’m already aware that I need to register the sales at the Mairie.
I was surprised at the pickiness of a local charity warehouse, I could understand that they must draw the line somewhere for some things, but a complete multi item dinner service in perfect condition was not of interest when I cleared loads of stuff after Fran died. Although we had never used it, only ever being the 2 of us in our second marriages, it was very sad hearing all the crashing sounds as I tipped the lot into a skip at the dechetterie.
There can be picky as have limited space and know what doesn’t sell. Unless a classic or collector’s item crockery services aren’t popular any more.
The only one I’ve done was in the UK so not relevant, but I’ve been to some here and things seem to go. If the aim is to clear the place then just remember people like a bargain!
I haven’t done one, but went to one some years back - English couple going back to the UK. Seemed to me, what worked was having lots of friends helping manage the process who knew what decisions they could make. So they could be all over the place.
As @JaneJones has said, people love a bargain, so important for someone to be on the spot to say Great Aunt Gladys’s soup tureen can be sold for 2 euros and not the 200 that would be possible in a sale room.
Always worth having a house clearing company in the background to take what’s left.
That’s why we go to Emmaus in Agen - it’s HUGE - over several buildings and acres of land around for building materials etc. They take everything - they also have the staff (volunteers?) to sort and decide what to do with stuff after it’s given.
I’ve got a similar situation.
A large cupboard full of the complete service… bone chine, Glen Mist (Susie Cooper) Wedgewood every sort of plate, bowl, serving dish etc etc and with all the additional bells and whistles (which are not in fashion these days). I’m thinking of sorting this into acceptable, smaller sets of basic crockery, which could be useful to people who have nothing/very little.
Some pieces which might be considered “over the top” these days.. I’ll show to friends who work with associations et al… and see if there is any use to be had out of these previously “essential” bits of crockery
I hope to smash/chuck only the very bare minimum
It’s not being sentimental , it’s just that I hate to waste anything.
Emmaus will be coming with a truck to my home on Tuesday to take 20 pieces of furniture in excellent condition. We are downsizing and I am happy whether they sell them or use them directly for people in need. These are my gift
I would maybe be interested in some, my plates have so many chips recently they need replacing and I’d rather save stuff from landfill than buy some from China!
