Garage sales are part of the fun of spring and summer, so how do you shop like a pro? These tips and tricks just might help you snag that amazing deal found in someone else’s yard.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE FOR FLEXIBILITY
As you do your research for your travel route from sale to sale, make sure to plan for unadvertised yard sales. Unadvertised sales aren’t as heavily picked over, so these can be excellent places to find great bargains. You will also want to prioritize where you want to shop. You may find antiques in older neighborhoods and higher ticket items at estate sales. It’s best to arrive at your highest priority sales within the first 30 minutes of the sale opening, but don’t forget to check back during the last 30 minutes of the sale when items might be significantly marked down to get them to sell.
READY … SET …
Before you head out with your mapped-out route, make sure that you are prepared for the day. Consider cleaning out your car and knowing the size limit of what you can buy so that you don’t have to worry about how you will get the items home.
While this next tip might sound obvious, you will want to wear comfortable clothing and shoes as you will be sitting and walking a lot between the sales. Garage sale pros will often spend hours on their feet, so having comfortable wear can be a lifesaver.
Traveling and shopping can take a lot of energy, so take some water and snacks with you for replenishment.
Finally, though we recommend sellers prepare shopping bags at checkout (in a previous blog post here), you might want to bring shopping bags or boxes to store purchases in while in your car.
GO!
You’ve got your route, your comfy clothes, and are prepared for actual shopping. Now is the time to start looking for deals!
When you find something that you wish to buy, check how the seller’s price compares with eBay. If the deal is better than what you can find on eBay – great job! You’ve found a bargain! And if the price is higher than eBay (shipping included), be brave and ask the seller if they would be willing to discount the item.
Some sellers may be savvy enough to have card readers at their sales, but be aware that using a credit card may raise the price of the item to cover transaction fees. As the saying goes, “cash is king,” so having smaller bills and change on hand will save you money in the long run!
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for bundle pricing. Do you like a certain blouse with that pair of jeans over there? See if the seller will give you a discount for taking both. Not only will you save a little money, but the seller will make a bigger sale!
Are you a garage sale pro? Did we miss any tips? Let us know in the comment section!