I don't blame you Charles!
Some years ago, whilst I was a student back in '91' I took a selection of vacuum cleaners, which I had refurbished, along to car boot sales (or Yard Sales, as you call them). I survived the first boot sale and managed to make a few pounds but realised that the mark-up I could expect was very small. Fortunately, at the time I had a good source of old machines albeit requiring attention but I had to put in considerable effort for not very much return.
On one occasion, a lady even brought back a machine, which I didn't sell her in the first place! I don't know if she was trying it on or whether she had confused me with somebody else!
Strangely enough, the items which seemed to do best also seemed to cost the least. I had a look round to see what I could put in to boost overall sales..and I hit on the idea of digging up a few carpetting plants out of the garden and splitting them - sold them!
My experiences in dealing with the public was mixed, both at the car boot sales and in the shop, when I had one...but I'd agree that there's some real chisellers out there!
It's true that a lot of folk go to these sales in order to pick up bargains for nothing from sellers having a clear-out..so perhaps Ebay is a better bet if you're intending to make a profit on items.
