Garage Sale Tips For Finding Cheap Deals

Follow these garage sale tips for finding cheap deals to decorate and furnish your home. You've heard the saying, "One man's trash is another mans treasure!"

Shopping garage sales and tag sales, is an excellent resource for finding cheap deals on clothing, household items, furniture, and much more for a fraction of the original retail cost. Saving our hard-earned money is always a good idea! These garage sale tips will get you well on your way to decorating on a budget.

How To Start Shopping Garage Sales...

Thursday is the best day for garage sales in a lot of neighborhoods, but you might discover that Fridays or Saturdays are best in your area. Try those three days for a few weeks to see which days boast the best garage sales.
Map out which sales you want to visit first based on listed items. Note opening times and adjust arrival time to about ½ hour before the listed time. Most people will allow you to browse even if they are still setting up. If not, be patient and stay out of the way.
Greet the folks having the sale and smile! Yes, it sounds basic, but keep in mind you have entered someone’s personal space. If your children are with you, take responsibility for them and keep them close to you.
Don’t be afraid to dig through boxes and bins because you never know what you might find. Look under tables! Items often get pushed under there if there’s not much space or if items had to be rushed inside due to inclement weather.
Don’t let a little rain stop you from going out. Some sales will still open. If you are one of the few who braved the weather that means a better selection and prices for you.
Check the item over. Clothing and fabric items should be in good condition with no rips, tears, or stains. Zippers, snaps, and buttons should all be present and in working condition. Electrical or battery-operated items should be tested on the sale site before making a purchase. Games, puzzles, and toys should have all the pieces present or the price should reflect the fact that the set is incomplete.
Another garage sale tip...Take cash only and in smaller bills. If you plan to purchase furniture, bring enough cash with you or else you could lose the sale. Some sellers are willing to hold an item for a ½ hour or an hour while you go get cash, but many will take the first person holding the cash in hand.
If you discover an item you want and don’t have enough cash on hand, ask the seller to hold it for you for an hour and leave a down payment if possible to show good faith. Ask the seller to place a “hold” sign on the item with your name and phone number.

More Great Garage Sale Tips...
Go early! Big-ticket items go fast. Furniture, patio sets, tools, bicycles, and baby items often go early and quickly, so get to the sale prior to the posted time.
Is there an item in particular for which you’re searching? Don’t be afraid to ask if they have it and would be willing to sell the item even if it isn’t out at the sale. You’d be surprised at what people may want to sell, but just forgot to put out on the day of the sale.
Baby gear – always check for recalls on specific items. You don’t want to purchase an item that has had a recall. That could be the reason it is out for sale.
If an item isn’t marked, make an offer instead of asking the price. Don’t be afraid to put the item back if the price stated is higher than what you want to pay.
Add up your total as you go. When it comes time to pay, ask if they’ll take a lower dollar amount for the “lot”. Don’t be afraid to ask for a lower price on an item. If it is early in the day, you’re less likely to get a positive answer, but it never hurts to ask.
Go late too! If you’re willing to take a chance on what will be left at the end of a sale day, you could probably get rock bottom prices. If a sale has lasted three days, by the end of the third day, the seller is more likely to sell items for a fraction of their already lower-than-retail price instead of giving it away.
Listen to the conversations going on at the sale. You might be able to tell right away if the seller is willing to bargain with you.
Bargain hunting at garage sales is fun! Ask questions. Be observant. Don’t pay more than you want to pay. If one sale is a bust, move to the next one. Celebrate your spoils when you get home!