I played around with the yard sale stuff not long ago to. So much easier than having your own retail shop. In fact I don't see much point in the retail shops, as it doesn't come up as your job as a retail owner, no aspiration for it either. Not so well thought out feature. But anyway back to the yard sale - I to was under the impression that the tarp would be useable for us to have yard sales to sell chairs, sofas etc etc. Would actually been a great story telling feature. Your sims earning enough money to sell their old and buy new. Shame about the tarps. :)