“Big Sale Chaos: Furniture Flying off the Shelves Despite Anarchic Parking and Long Lines”

The big sale organized by Emmaüs this Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. rue du Jourdain in Agen, was eagerly awaited. Such an event had not been organized since the health crisis, and the scent of bargains has spread far beyond the Agenais since, by the smell enticed, some customers have traveled dozens of kilometers to enjoy knockdown prices.

Because the announcement had been made in our columns and on social networks: furniture, toys, books, clothes, household appliances were going to be sold at crazy prices, and “everything must disappear” as the formula wants. On the furniture side, new and destocked pieces by the Maison du monde brand aroused covetousness, and an hour before the opening of the Emmaüs site, the first impatient people crowded in front of the entrance.

We can even talk about a real rush during this Saturday morning. At 11 a.m., it was impossible to park near the Emmaus site as the crowd was so large. “We had to make radio calls, explains a manager, because motorists had even parked on the railway line…” Rue du Jourdain, and its surroundings, impossible to park: all the sidewalks were squatted by cars.

Anarchic parking

The municipal police had yet installed barriers to prohibit illegal parking, but they were removed by unruly motorists. Emmaüs directed its customers to the parking lot of the mosque, which was very quickly saturated. Hence the anarchic parking, and residents sometimes on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Some had installed signs, pallets to prohibit parking in front of their homes, in vain. “It’s like that every time, complained a resident of the impasse des Maraîchers. We can no longer get out of our cars, or go in. We put papers on the windshields, but people don’t care. “

Rise of fever among the inhabitants, and buying fever on the customers’ side. Once parked, we rush on bargains, especially furniture. “We arrived half an hour before the doors opened, explain Katleen and Erik. We had trouble parking, and several hundred people were already waiting. We were prepared and knew what we were looking for: furniture for a second home.” The young couple from Agen had a budget of €1,000, and at 11:30 a.m. the counter showed €800 in expenses. “We bought a new sofa bed at €350, a washing machine, a bathroom vanity unit with a basin, a box spring, and a mixer tap. We’re very happy! But we notice that the prices have gone up. Four years ago, we bought a small buffet here for €60. We saw the same one this morning, for €150!”

The young couple was now looking to bring a toy back to their child. Not far away, a young dad is walking, his little girl sleeping in the front baby carrier. His hands are fortunately free to grab a cast iron casserole. “It’s not what I wanted coming here, he concedes, but the price makes the opportunity.”

“Blow of luck”!

The furniture stored outside took the rain. Not enough to dissuade buyers, who have snatched up a whole series … of metal cabinets. Pallets of tiles are sold at 100 €, and are more attractive than the country sideboards. “It sold a lot ten years ago, comments Alain, one of Emmaus Agen’s oldest volunteers. Now people want something modern.” For the furniture, it is under the shed that we will unearth the pearls, although the “Sold” labels are numerous after 11 am. A young woman leaves the room, her arms clutching a gas hob. “Lucky, she exclaims. It’s the brand, exactly what I was looking for. All that was missing for my future fitted kitchen. Today I’m saving €200.”

Let’s continue our way in this huge flea market. Sale atmosphere guaranteed in the clothing department. A volunteer gives you a plastic bag, you fill it with sweaters, blouses, pants, all for… €5. Customers are busy, and some complain: once the objects have been selected, they must be deposited and paid at the cash desk. A single checkout, a long queue: after parking, another irritation sequence. “Well, there are always complainers, philosophizes the young volunteer Stéphie. Let’s say it’s an essential ingredient in a good sale…”