How a Trailer Hitch Almost Made Me Rich

The Allure of Garage Sales

I've always been fascinated by garage sales, especially after becoming an avid viewer of "Antiques Roadshow." The show features people bringing in old items for appraisal, often discovering that their so-called junk is actually worth a fortune. Imagine finding out that your grandfather's old flask was once owned by Abraham Lincoln, or that the dusty book you've been using as a doorstop is a rare collector's item. Inspired by these stories, I became a treasure hunter of sorts.

The Big Find

Every Saturday morning, while most people are relaxing at the beach or watching the game, you can find me rummaging through piles of costume jewelry and haggling over antique furniture. Last Saturday, I took my friend Ryan along for his opinion on some items. We saw the usual assortment of junk until an enormous statue caught our eye. It was a hideous demon with bat-like wings and a forked tongue, standing over ten feet tall.

We asked the owner, a greasy-looking guy named Steve, about the statue's history. Steve claimed he got it from a rare items dealer in France and that it was a 400-year-old gargoyle from a gothic cathedral. Steve, a self-proclaimed devil worshipper, thought the statue would make an awesome god. However, his roommate was pressuring him to pay the rent, so he had to part with either the statue or his surfboard.

Ryan whispered to me, "Hey man, I've seen this statue in a history book! It's totally legit and has to be priceless!"

The Negotiation

Trying to keep my excitement in check, I approached Steve. "Steve, I'll give you a nickel," I said, attempting to lowball him.

"Bah," snorted Steve, "How about $800,000?"

After some intense haggling, we finally settled on $35,000, which happened to be my life savings. The next challenge was transporting the statue. We tried strapping it to my Miata, but the 3,000-pound statue wasn't cooperating. So, I moved on to plan B: buying a brand new Ford F250, a trailer, and a trailer hitch.

The Haul

The new setup worked perfectly, and soon the stone monstrosity was sitting in my backyard. I spent the next week trying to get in touch with art dealers and wealthy collectors, but had no luck. Frustrated, I called Ryan for advice.

"Sorry dude," he said, "That statue is a fake."

"But," I shrieked, "I thought you said it was the real deal!"

"Oh yeah, my bad..."

The Silver Lining

Now I'm stuck with my demon friend for the time being. However, the new trailer and trailer hitch work so well that I'm starting to get the itch to do some more hauling. Tomorrow is Saturday, and the garage sales await! I didn't learn my lesson, but at least I have a reliable setup for my next adventure.

Interesting Stats

• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans hold approximately 165,000 garage sales each week, generating about $4.2 million in revenue.
• A study by the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops found that 16-18% of Americans shop at garage sales regularly.
• The most expensive item ever sold at a garage sale was a 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, which sold for $30 million.

Conclusion

While my adventure didn't turn out as planned, it taught me valuable lessons about due diligence and the importance of having the right equipment. Whether you're hauling a priceless artifact or just moving some furniture, having the right towing gear can make all the difference.

For more information on the importance of proper towing equipment, check out U-Haul's guide on towing.

Sources:

1. U.S. Census Bureau
2. National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops
3. U-Haul