Getting a Good Deal at Yard Sales

by Kay DeFreese

I love yard sales. In the area where I live yard sales are popular from late March to late November. Things are pretty slow in the winter months. Sales are usually held the first weekend of the month because that is when a lot of people get paid. On an average there are ususally 25-30 yard sales. When I get the newspaper I circle all the places I want to hit first. I pull myself out of bed and am out by 6:30 even if it is dark. I wear comfortable clothes yard saling and usually don't bother putting on any makeup. I don't have time to fool with it if I want to get out early and hit the sales before the competition does. You have to get there early to get the best stuff. I love quality clothes but can't always afford retail but yard sale stuff is very affordable. I have clothed my whole family for a fraction of what it would cost if I paid retail. Once upon a time I would have never been caught dead wearaing something that came from a yard sale but after I became a stay-at-home mom, things changed quite a bit and I am proud to say that some of the clothes that I have gotten at yard sales look rather classy.

Hints for Yard Saling

1. Wear a fanny pack to keep track of your money. You want your hands free while you rummage through stuff and you don't need to be hindered by a purse.
2. Get out early if you want the first pickings.
3. Don't be shy about asking if the seller will take a lower price.
4. People are more willing to bargain near quitting time. They are tired and they will almost give it away rather than pack it back up and put it back in their house.
5. I keep a list of the yard sales that are winners. When I see their ad the next year then I will more than likely return. If they have junky stuff I also make a note that I won't return to that house.
6. Keep a list of sizes that you need. You may want to carry a tape measure with you.
7. If you don't see something you want, ask. They may just have it inside and be willing to part with it for the right price.
8. Learn to scan a sale quickly. This will save you time so you can hit more sales.
9. Wear comfortable clothes.
10. Always check the merchandise for flaws. Some flaws you can fix or live with but some can't be fixed.
11. Leave the kids at home but if you have no other option than to take the kids be sure to take them a snack along.
12. Plan where you are going the night before. You will save time and be able to hit more yard sales.
13. Look through all the boxes. Sometimes you can find some treasures at the bottom of the boxes.
14. Be respectful of the person having the yard sale. Don't bang on their door at 5:00 a.m. if the sale is at 6:30 a.m. Also, don't trample on their flowers.

Hints for Having a Yard Sale

1. Have all the items clearly marked.
2. Go in with a friend to have a yard sale. When you combine your stuff you will have a bigger sale. People flock to the multi-family sales.
3. Be sure to give precise directions to your house when you put the ad in the paper.
4. Have an adequate amount of change available the day of the sale.
5. Don't have piles of clothes heaped on the table. Nothing turns off a yard saler more than heaps of clothes unorganized.
6. If you say you are going to be open at a certain time make sure that everything is already laid out.
7. Hang clothes if possible. They will sell better.
8. Things will sell better if they are clean and shiny.
9. Be prepared to dicker. People come to yard sales expecting to dicker.
10. Have a sign posted in front of your house indicating your sale. Balloons on the mailbox are cute.
11. Be sure to take down all the signs off the telephone poles after the sale. We don't want to litter the environment.
12. Don't sell advertised items to early-birds the night before. It's not fair to your customers who get there first thing in the morning.
13. Don't discard leftovers in the dumpster. Give leftover items to the Salvation Army or a Women's Shelter.

What I like to Buy

Books. I like to pay 10 cents but no more than 25 cents for a 6 dollar book. I then take it to the used bookstore and get credit for books that I really want. Recently, I have been selling my used books on half.com.

Clothes - Our whole family's wardrobe consists of yard sale stuff. About the only thing we buy new is underwear, socks and shoes.

Toys - I like finding classic toys at yard sales.

Stuff for the kitchen - Dishes, glasses, pans

Antiques - I'd love to find a Featherweight Sewing Machine but have not had any luck.

Sewing and craft related stuff.

Anything that catches my eye.

Helpful Yard Sale Links