Thanks again to Amanda of Kuzak’s Closet for the awesome guest post yesterday. Today I’m sharing my very own Top 10 list.
As an experienced garage sale-er I’ve learned a thing or two about getting a deal. To be honest, I’m much more experienced at shopping the sales than hosting them. So here’s my advice:
1. Go with a plan. If you go into yard-sale mayhem without objectives you’ll either come home with something you don’t want/need or spend the day loitering around, trying to decide if you want anything you see. Save yourself the stress and make some objectives before you go out. Which leads me to the next point…once you decide what you want it’s all about…
2. LOCATION. Yep. That’s all capital letters. I yelled that one at you. Location is key. Now, I’m not one to preach that you should only garage sale in the fancy subdivisions. But think about what you’re after, then match the location to it. If you shop the fancy subdivisions…you’re gonna find fancy subdivision cast offs. Lots of baby things, stuff that is on the expensive side, and usually toys.
If you are in the market for something quirkier, shop the older neighborhoods. These city blocks usually house a variety of folks, so your likely to score more than a onsie here.
3. Read the ads. Look at Craigslist and your local paper to find sales going on. These are good words to look for: Moving, Neighborhood, Multi-Family, and Estate. These are usually the best kinds of sales….offering the most goodies.
4. The Rule of Gerry’s. Gerry’s, as in geriatrics. As in old people. My rule is…the older the host the better the finds. Gerry hosts are looking to downsize a life time of hoarded treasures. They have the quirkiest, most random things. And they usually just want it gone. I love pieces with history and this is where I find them.
5. A Word on Estates. As you read in rule 4…the older the host the better the finds. Well…estate sales {or auctions} are the king poppa of old hosts. Their hosts are so old they have actually passed on. Estate sales are the bomb-digity for nabbing furniture and vintage pieces. Just remember to be polite, the family hosting has recently lost a loved one!
6. Do a Drive-By. Make a list of sales you want to hit. Map them out in logical order by location…then start the drive by process. It’s easy really. Drive past the house really slow, and a little awkward. Crane your neck to assess the goods. Then park on the other side of the driveway. Drive-bys will save you loads of time. If it looks lame, it probably is. Just keep going.
7. See Potential. It’s a garage sale, not Macy’s. The items may not be perfect. Especially when it comes to furniture. Be willing to see potential in items that you love.
8. Singles Please. This is sneaky, I know…but here’s how I haggle sometimes. It’s omission of truth, which seems dishonest…but gloves come off at garage sales. Let’s say there is an item you love. It’s $20. You feel like it is a bit over priced, so you make an offer. {$10} The host counters says the price is firm. You give a sigh, say you “Really want it.” Then grab your wallet out. Look through, pull out a $10 and a few ones. Make it a random number, like $14 or $16 total. Then ask if they’ll take that.
This gives the impression that you are literally giving your last dollar for the item. Give them sad eyes, and they will most likely take your offer. See? Omission.
9. Come Late. If you are doing some leisurely garage shopping, it may be worth your time to come late on the last day. By now, the objective of the sale has changed from profiting to getting rid of things. Your offers will probably be accepted, even if you low-ball.
Once I went to a sale just as it was closing. The woman running the sale came out and told me that “Everything’s a quarter.” I bought a chair, three vintage food containers {now canisters in my kitchen} and a frightfully ugly couch that I put in my sister’s room as a prank–all for $1.25. Amazing.
10. Take a friend. It’s always more fun to oogle through strangers possessions in pairs.
Wish me luck on my sale tomorrow!
Amy
