It’s not just a garage sale …
At one time in my life, going to garage sales was a necessity. As a family with young kids, it seemed like they were always growing out of their clothes and garage sales were a cost effective way to provide them. It was also a great way to provide ‘new’ toys to replace the worn and broken ones.
Now, however, going to garage sales has become much more: It’s the mystery of the hunt - not knowing what you will find; it’s getting exercise – parking and walking down long driveways; it’s hanging out with your garage sale partner - in most cases my brother – telling family stories, talking about whatever comes to mind and laughing - a lot; it’s stimulating the local economy; it’s saving money when you find something you need - or at least you think you need; it’s finding bargains – which justifies buying something you really don’t need; it’s the fine art of negotiating a lower price; it’s a way to buy something without spending a lot of money and, in many cases, it’s a way to avoid household chores - which can always wait. Actually, it’s a hobby.
Keep in mind that I am really still a rookie with garage sales. This summer was my first good regular effort in going to garage sales after many years of not going. And there are rules – perhaps not written but rules just the same – to maximize your garage sale experience.
First, there are many different kinds of sales: family garage and yard sales where folks are purging - getting rid of items that are too small, no longer wanted - making room for new items; multifamily sales, moving sales, estate sales and group sales - church, non-profits, etc. I have found that moving sales are the best - generally everything must go so they are more willing to negotiate and there is a wider variety of items. Multifamily sales can also provide a wider variety of items although often they are focused on items for younger children. Group sales also have a wider variety of items but it is harder to negotiate the price. Estate sales often provide rare or unusual items but prices are generally higher since they may be run by a professional company (who charges a fee for running the sale) and family members may or may not be willing to negotiate. Given all of this, however, you can often find better bargains or do better negotiating if you go back on the second day of the sale, particularly if it is late in the day. Sellers are generally willing to give you a good price so they don’t have to pack it up.
And now, a few tips:
- Arrive early.
- Bring cash - it helps in negotiations.
- Carry a tote in your vehicle for transporting smaller items.
- Bring a blanket to cushion items in your vehicle.
- Carry a measuring tape and magnifying glass.
- Inspect items carefully so you don’t buy broken items - unless you know you can easily fix them.
- Take a large enough vehicle to hold your items (if possible). You never know what you may find and it’s easier to take the item with you instead of returning later.
- You may find higher value items at higher valued homes, but they may come at a higher price.
- You may find antiques or unusual items at older homes.
- Look in the paper or online before you go and chart a course. GPS works great for finding addresses and for finding your way home.
- Never skip a sale you find on the way just because it wasn’t on your list. You never know what you might miss if you don’t stop.
- It is generally better to skip buying old electronics - cameras, lap tops, etc. unless you are collecting them for some reason.
- Try putting several items together and offering a price for the whole bundle.
And finally, my best garage sale this summer - a moving sale. And guess what I bought - a sixteen foot Larson runabout boat and trailer for an incredible price - about one-third of its current value. The owners didn’t want to trailer it to California - a very lucky thing for me. Two others were waiting in line if I didn’t buy it. And, by offering cash, I was able to negotiate a further reduction in the asking price. I don’t know how I will top that purchase but, rest assured, I will be trying all next summer.