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EAST   PARK   ROW   DRIVE SCAM:   UNLAWFULL   YARD / GARAGE   SALES

ENGLISH             ESPAÑOL

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This is a warning about the large "garage sales" that have been appearing at homes along East Park Row Drive (ZIP Code 76010).

These are NOT legitimate neighborhood garage sales. Instead, they are an organized commercial operation that use deceptive tactics to recruit homeowners. The front of the orgainization is a bilingual woman who uses sob stories, lies, bribes, high pressure, and intimidation to get access to your yard. Then when city code enforcement receives a complaint, it is the homeowner that receives the citation.

Sometimes the homeowner is instructed to obtain a garage sale permit through the City of Arlington website using the homeowner's own name, address, and email. But that places all the legal responsibility and liability into the homeowner's name.

When the sale begins, multiple truckloads of merchandise are delivered, and the organizers take over the yard and driveway. The sale bears little resemblance to a typical household garage sale.

There are also important safety and liability concerns:

• You have no way of knowing whether the merchandise is stolen or legally obtained.
• Dissatisfied customers will return to your home, not the organizers'.
• You may be exposed to liability if heavy traffic, blocked streets, or parking issues contribute to an accident.
• Your neighbors may be affected by blocked driveways and increased congestion.
• Because the permit is in your name, any complaints or enforcement actions may be directed to you.

According to Article IV of Arlington City Ordinance No. 18-011 , these activities violate several garage sale regulations. Section 4.01(F) provides for a fine of up to $500 for each day of each violation. The following violations have been observed with these sellers:

• Exceeding the limit of three garage sales per year by using another homeowner's name/address (Sections 3.02 and 4.01(A))
• Obtaining a permit in someone else's name for another person's sale (Sections 3.05(C) and 4.01(A))
• Failing to produce the required permit upon request of a shopper (Sections 3.06 and 4.01(A))
• Posting signs on utility poles (Sections 3.07 and 4.01(A))
• Failing to maintain the required five-foot clearance from sidewalks (Sections 3.10 and 4.01(A))
• Selling excessive quantities of identical items, such as multiple mattresses or entire wardrobes (Section 4.01(D))
• Selling new merchandise (Section 4.01(E)(1))
• Selling excessive volumes of goods not originating from a single household (Section 4.01(E)(2))
• Transporting merchandise from another location for resale (Section 4.01(E)(3))
• Operating what is effectively a commercial flea market from a residential property

Consider the situation carefully. With craigslist and facebook market place being available, it would make more sense to sell from her own home, rather than moving truckloads of merchandise to someone else's home. Instead, the sale is conducted using your name, your address, and your permit, while additional sellers may arrive to sell their own merchandise from your property.

Unfortunately, the homeowner assumes the risks, liability, and potential code violations while the organizers remain largely anonymous.

Protect yourself. Do not allow strangers to use your property or your name to conduct a commercial garage sale.