6 Tips for Yard Sale Shopping Success
Wholesale cheap nike nfl jersey It's a frugal girl's idea of the ultimate shopping experience. Hitting garage sales or "Yard Sailing," as it's called by the pros, is a great way to find items at rock bottom prices.
I'm sure you've heard the slogan "Buy used and save the difference," made popular the Duggar Family on their aptly titled TV show, "19 Kids and Counting."
I'm sure you've heard the slogan "Buy used and save the difference," made popular the Duggar Family on their aptly titled TV show, "19 Kids and Counting."
Well, you don't need a brood of 19+ to live by that motto. By following these simple yard sale tips you can make the most of your outdoor shopping experience.
6 Tips for Sucesssful Garage Sale Shopping
1. The Plan of Attack
The first step is to find out WHERE the sales are happening. A great source of information is your city's list of garage sale permits. They are usually displayed somewhere at city hall or on the community bulletin board. Cheap NFL Nike Carolina Panthers jersey Figuring out where the garage sales are by looking at the permits is a great place to start.
The first step is to find out WHERE the sales are happening. A great source of information is your city's list of garage sale permits. They are usually displayed somewhere at city hall or on the community bulletin board. Cheap NFL Nike Carolina Panthers jersey Figuring out where the garage sales are by looking at the permits is a great place to start.
Other ideas for finding the sales-- checking your local newspaper for announcements and/or driving around looking for signs you can compile a list of potential shopping spots. You probably won't be able to hit every house on the list, so prioritize those in nice neighborhoods and pull up Google maps to find sales near each other. Zigzagging all over town is no fun.
Related: New Shopping Trend: Do You Scan and Scram?
2. The Early Bird Catches The Armoire
Don't roll out of bed at 10:00am on a Sunday and hit the pavement thinking you're going to find great deals. Wholesale cheap nhl jersey You want to be the first person there Saturday morning. Do, however, mind the start time of the sale. If the sign or ad says it starts at 8:00 am, don't show up at 7:00 am while they are just putting out the tables. This will only make them feel rushed and annoyed and it might hinder any haggling opportunities.
Don't roll out of bed at 10:00am on a Sunday and hit the pavement thinking you're going to find great deals. Wholesale cheap nhl jersey You want to be the first person there Saturday morning. Do, however, mind the start time of the sale. If the sign or ad says it starts at 8:00 am, don't show up at 7:00 am while they are just putting out the tables. This will only make them feel rushed and annoyed and it might hinder any haggling opportunities.
3. Let Them Know
Are you looking for specific items? Make a beeline for the sale's host when you arrive and let them know what you're after. You never know what treasures are lurking just inside that garage door. By politely inquiring about what you're hunting for, you can save yourself valuable time. Plus, you are triggering the host's memory… they may not have all the boxes unpacked, they may have been on the fence about selling something, or even forgotten about the item all together.
Are you looking for specific items? Make a beeline for the sale's host when you arrive and let them know what you're after. You never know what treasures are lurking just inside that garage door. By politely inquiring about what you're hunting for, you can save yourself valuable time. Plus, you are triggering the host's memory… they may not have all the boxes unpacked, they may have been on the fence about selling something, or even forgotten about the item all together.
4. Bring Change
While it's only logical that the yard sale host should have a plethora of ones, fives, and tens on hand, often times they don't. With all the cleaning, organizing, and advertising that goes into having a yard sale many hosts will forget to stop by the bank and pick up sufficient change… leaving you up a creek with a twenty-dollar bill.nhl all star jersey wholesale So stop by the bank the night before, set your yard sale budget, and get it in ones and fives.
While it's only logical that the yard sale host should have a plethora of ones, fives, and tens on hand, often times they don't. With all the cleaning, organizing, and advertising that goes into having a yard sale many hosts will forget to stop by the bank and pick up sufficient change… leaving you up a creek with a twenty-dollar bill.nhl all star jersey wholesale So stop by the bank the night before, set your yard sale budget, and get it in ones and fives.
Related: 10 Things to Buy Used
5. Don't Buy What You Can't Try
When it comes to purchasing electronics or anything mechanical don't buy it unless you can try it, even if the host assures you that it works. Things decay and stop working over time when not being used. Maybe last time they fired up that leaf blower 5 years ago, it powerfully blew the leaves away, but that doesn't mean it's going to work now. So ask for an extension cord or bring a pocket full of batteries and be sure you try before you buy.
When it comes to purchasing electronics or anything mechanical don't buy it unless you can try it, even if the host assures you that it works. Things decay and stop working over time when not being used. Maybe last time they fired up that leaf blower 5 years ago, it powerfully blew the leaves away, but that doesn't mean it's going to work now. So ask for an extension cord or bring a pocket full of batteries and be sure you try before you buy.
6. Hagglers Welcome
Yard sales are one of the few places in today's society where you can really get your haggling fix. We all love to pay the lowest price possible, but beware; there is a fine line between haggling and insulting. Remember that the items at the yard sale were purchased by the seller at full price in a retail outlet. While they are used, they still hold value and possibly sentimental attachments. If you lowball, you might offend the seller. What's a good rule of thumb? Think about the item's retail cost, wholesale cheap NCAA jerseys if the item is in very good condition you can probably go as low as 75% off retail before the feathers on your buyer start ruffling. Is there cosmetic damage or a missing piece? You might be able to press for a larger discount successfully.
Yard sales are one of the few places in today's society where you can really get your haggling fix. We all love to pay the lowest price possible, but beware; there is a fine line between haggling and insulting. Remember that the items at the yard sale were purchased by the seller at full price in a retail outlet. While they are used, they still hold value and possibly sentimental attachments. If you lowball, you might offend the seller. What's a good rule of thumb? Think about the item's retail cost, wholesale cheap NCAA jerseys if the item is in very good condition you can probably go as low as 75% off retail before the feathers on your buyer start ruffling. Is there cosmetic damage or a missing piece? You might be able to press for a larger discount successfully.
