Garage Sales!

[SuzeOFan]

Garage sales, yard sales, tag sales....

I admit it - I'm hooked. A downright addict!

To me garage sales are like modern day treasure hunting! When I want something expensive like excercise equipment ...I know all I have to do is wait til I find it at a yard sale.

Knowing what you're looking for is a real advantage. 2 years ago I wanted a treadmill to get in shape after having a baby - but couldn't justify the cost of purchasing a new one. Wouldn't you know that lo and behold I found not only a terrific treadmill - but a stair climber - and bought them for $25 each! My friend sold me her excercise bicycle for another $25 and now I have full gym in my basement for the mere cost of $75! (They all match in white too!)



What's the best thing or deal any of you ever found at a garage sale?

[34saving]

Re: Garage Sales!

I'm not much of a garagesaler, but I did buy a $2 printer that I sold for $50 on eBay.

[jmjj215]

Re: Garage Sales!

I bought a small desk for my wife so she can have a place to sew. The guy wanted $5 for it and I offered $2. He said, "Well, I was really hoping for five." I just waited. In a few seconds he said okay.

The absolutely hilarious thing about the whole ordeal though? I paid for it with a five dollar bill and he had to give me change! Only later on did I realize how funny the situation was.

[Ima saver]

Re: Garage Sales!

Don't do garage sales. The few I have checked out just mostly had clothes and kids things. I bet you get the best bargains at the nicer neighborhoods.

[ChimbleySweep]

Re: Garage Sales!

I don't have the patience for garage sales, although we did have one at our house a few weeks back and made almost $400.

[rob62521]

Re: Garage Sales!

Ima, so many of the sales around here are clothes and these folks expect nearly what they paid for them! There are a few good sales out there, but with the price of gas, we don't usually seek them out.

[Ima saver]

Re: Garage Sales!

I really don't blame you. I am going to have one, the first in over 10 years. I have a lot of good bargains, no clothes!!

[lrjohnson]

Re: Garage Sales!

Yard Sales Thread

Kealina started a similar thread in Frugal Q & A's....you both seem to have the bug! (I have it too.)

[shengmei]

Re: Garage Sales!

Don't do garage sales. The few I have checked out just mostly had clothes and kids things. I bet you get the best bargains at the nicer neighborhoods.

Same here. Although I have a fetish for mismatched fine china and I can only be able to afford them used.

I had a set of tea dishes that are gold-plated. Unfortunately hubby washed them with some harsh stuff and the plating went off.

[more freedom]

Re: Garage Sales!

I'm not much of a garagesaler, but I did buy a $2 printer that I sold for $50 on eBay.

That is an awesome idea!

cool

[SuzeOFan]

Re: Garage Sales!

I bought a small desk for my wife so she can have a place to sew. The guy wanted $5 for it and I offered $2. He said, "Well, I was really hoping for five." I just waited. In a few seconds he said okay.

The absolutely hilarious thing about the whole ordeal though? I paid for it with a five dollar bill and he had to give me change! Only later on did I realize how funny the situation was.

Holycow! You are soooo cheeeep!
But that's what garage sales are all about! Good ol fashioned bargaining.


Selling wise, I think '34 Savings' has the right idea!

[SuzeOFan]

Re: Garage Sales!

I found a Thomason mahogany queen bedroom set - with a full dresser and mirror, and overhead lighted 'headboard' which has two full closets on either side of the bed - at a moving sale - for only $400!

All of my children's dressers, desks, and one bed were from garage sales...

I buy alot of clothes at garage sales for the kids. Especially jeans, t-shirts and shorts. Most baby clothes are like new at garage sales because they hardly have a chance to wear them twice before they've outgrown them.

But if you have a hobby like trains, china, collectables etc. You may easily find your next treasure there too!

Lots of unique and antique furniture too.

[rob62521]

Re: Garage Sales!

First of all, good luck Ima on your sale!

Second, hotshotcheerleader, I'm sure you got what you wanted because your stuff was in good condition. Around here, the clothes will be damaged, stained, have pills, etc., yet the people want about what they paid for them. That's what I meant. Or, they are selling an article that was expensive new, but shows lots of wear and they still want a big price. And I'm not talking primitive antiques here, but every day stuff!

[jmjj215]

Re: Garage Sales!

I'm more interested in being a patron of garage sales and re-selling at a higher price. A lady I know makes pretty much a full-time wage by working Saturdays doing just that.

[SuzeOFan]

Re: Garage Sales!

I'm more interested in being a patron of garage sales and re-selling at a higher price. A lady I know makes pretty much a full-time wage by working Saturdays doing just that.

Does that lady by any chance know my grandmother?

My grandmother was a regular 'wheeler dealer' at the yard sale biz. Had them all the time. I'll bet she made hundreds of dollars every week.

Before Ebay ....there was grandma!

She'd go to other people's yard sales, pick up old furniture for $5 and fix and polish them up and resell them at hers... for $50!



I have fond memories driving around with grandma and gramps in their old black pontiac.... She'd always be on the lookout for those signs.

I'd hear, "Joe! Stop the car!!"

... and with alot of swearing in ukranian, gramps would pull over and she'd happily poke around the sale with her cane...

ah - the good ol days!