Garage Sale Shopping Tips
Garage sales are less frequent now because the Internet has made it so easy to buy and sell items online. But you can still find garage sales sprinkled around most areas of the United States. Visiting a couple garage sales on a Saturday morning is still a fun and sometimes productive way to start the weekend.
Perusing items at a garage sale adds that in-person feel so lacking with online shopping. Something that doesn’t spark your interest when displayed on your computer or phone, might be much more appealing when it’s within easy reach right in front of you. You could even stumble upon something valuable that ends up being a great financial investment.
If you are not an experienced garage sale shopper, you may find the following tips beneficial.
A few helpful suggestions...
Plan ahead. Take time in advance to identify the garage sales you want to visit. Then map out a route to follow, beginning with the sales that seem most promising.
Wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and a hat. You’ll probably be standing and walking around under the sun so make sure to protect your skin and your feet. Bring along some water too, because you’ll want to stay hydrated.
Bring cash as a backup. Some garage sales accept credit cards or mobile payments, but many do not. Small bills and coins are especially useful when a sale is cash only.
Do a bit of on-the-spot research. If you have access to the Internet via your phone, take a few minutes to check out public demand for an object of interest along with its average cost.
Try before buying. Carefully inspect anything you’re thinking about purchasing, especially electronic or mechanical items. Open battery compartments to check for corrosion.
Look for group sales. Neighborhoods, organizations, and churches often host larger garage sales with items from a variety of sources, which can make shopping more interesting, fun, and fruitful.
Be pleasant, friendly, and respectful. Take time to talk with the seller about items for sale. Very often, there may be a memory or story connected to a certain item. The seller may appreciate your interest in a particular object and feel especially good about selling it to you, which might help you end up with a better price.
Negotiate, but politely. Sellers often price items at a higher amount than they expect to receive. They anticipate some healthy negotiation. Just make sure to stay within a reasonable ballpark that is not insulting.
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