What is the origin of "tag sale" in the New England area? Why is it a yard/garage sale in the rest of the US?

Question

After moving to New England we have noticed that everyone has "tag sales" and not yard or garage sales like they had in PA. Does anyone know the reason why?

Answer 1

Most people say tag sales because they tag the items. To find more tag sales/garage sales/yard sales. Visit www.craigslist.org and choose a state or city on the left side of the screen and then click on Garage sale or Free or Barter for some pretty cool stuff in your area. It is free to post and respond to a person's ad. Good luck!! Also use your local newspaper the hard copy or their webpage.

CT

Answer 2

Oh, we definitely have "yard sales" and "garage sales" in New England... probably more often than we have tag sales. But the use of the term "tag sale" works well as a generic term for "sale of used items" since not all of these sales take place in or near a yard or garage.

Answer 3

I'm from New England. Most are yard sales or garage sales. Not many tag sales around here in Maine.

Tag sales are usually held by antique shops or gift shops who aren't interested in taking the best offer. They mark down a few things to put out front to attract customers.

Tag sales are used to move merchandise not cleaning out unwanted items.

Answer 4

I am from Boston. Many people do not have yards or garages... thus tag was the name that developed. However they are all used today

Answer 5

Its about the same thing as how people call carbonated beverages by different things in different regions. Some say "pop," some say "soda," and others call it "Coke." I've also heard that people who live in cities have "stoop sales." But, whatever you call it, it can be a good way to get rid of your excess...one man's junk is another's treasure!

Answer 6

Because of the tags or stickers used to mark the price