A geographical analysis of garage sales in Jonesboro, Arkansas

Combs, H. Jason; Bauer, John T.; Burger, Paul

doi:10.1080/08873630802472861

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 8 publications

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“…According to Littlefield (2007), the garage sale industry currently generates approximately $3 billion per year. With such huge revenue generating potential, it is no wonder that communities are beginning to host neighborhood-wide and even city-wide sales as a way to attract a large volume of visitors (Combs et al, 2008). These sales events could be compared to the car boot sales in the UK.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Opportunity crime and the Great American Garage Sale

Vardalis

Bowen²,

Waters‐Bland³

2013

Safer Communities

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Purpose -Due to several factors that include a declining economy, high unemployment, home down-sizing trends and the aging population, the weekend private home sales have permeated every residential neighborhood in the country. Countless households have garage sales, and many times they contain items of considerable value. Little is known about this vast phenomenon and its potential for criminal opportunity. Based on a survey of North Texas residents that held a garage sale, the authors aimed to extract some important findings on a topic that has had little attention.Design/methodology/approach -Due to the exploratory nature of the study, descriptive statistics were utilized to provide insight into what takes place at garage sales. The areas of concentration in this research included the independent variables of the home garage sale environment and the dependent variables of theft and deviant behavior. Although several environmental factors were examined.Findings -Findings included thefts, inquiry to buy guns, small organized groups working to distract watchers, changing prices, and attempting intimidation with inappropriate remarks.Research limitations/implications -This research has several limitations that require explanation. First, the authors utilized a convenience sample by mailing to addresses from public newspapers. The study findings suggested that future research utilize a larger random sample of different areas over a longer period of time to increase generalizability.Practical implications -The researchers realize that each state and city may be different from the area studied and may not be applicable to everyone. Nevertheless, this study highlights the need for, as well as provides the basis for, additional interest in determining crime at garage and yard sales.Social implications -The study suggested offenders may be attracted into neighborhoods where, as strangers, they are not recognized as strangers therefore allowing them unrestricted access to communities.Originality/value -Crime and associated criminal activity and yard sales have been overlooked. Not until they seem to permeate every neighborhood has anyone related them to crime. Little is known about this vast phenomenon and its potential for criminal opportunity.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Opportunity crime and the Great American Garage Sale

Vardalis

Bowen²,

Waters‐Bland³

2013

Safer Communities

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Junk Jaunt Geography: Buying and Selling America’s Cultural Past in Central Nebraska

Combs¹,

Burger²

2014

gpr

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This project builds on previous material culture research by providing a detailed examination of material diffusion at central Nebraska’s Junk Jaunt. What began in 2003 and is now in its 10th year, the Junk Jaunt annually attracts some 20,000 participants from across the United States and Canada. This article briefly defines material culture and reviews several traditional distribution methods—auctions, the Internet, and garage sales. It also introduces Nebraska’s Junk Jaunt as an example of the growing phenomenon of place-based antiques tourism as communities capitalize on local culture and sense of place. Junk Jaunt organizers provided multiple datasets including participant surveys, guest book registrations, vendor information, and sales of shopper guides. These data illustrate the immense drawing power of Nebraska’s perception as an authentic place, which is reflected in its material culture.

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A geographical analysis of garage sales in Jonesboro, Arkansas

Cited by 2 publications

References 8 publications

Opportunity crime and the Great American Garage Sale

Opportunity crime and the Great American Garage Sale

Junk Jaunt Geography: Buying and Selling America’s Cultural Past in Central Nebraska

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