Featured First rule of Garage Sale is never talk about Garage Sale

Woot (Amazon's clearance website), used this as a title of a recent email and made me smile.

What tips (or funny stories) would you share for Garage Sale buying. The ones that come to mind for me are:

1. Go on Fridays, when possible
2. Bring your cell phone logged into eBay for comps
3. Remember all the great tips left by others on this board (e.g. old Corningware, Pottery Barn glass ornaments, etc, etc)
4. Remember, Tis easier to buy than to sell
5. You probably already have one, in that pile of crap in your basement/attic/shed.

Cheers- Joe!

 

the best deals are made at days end.......
no one likes packing up and taking the stuff back into the house !

 

Bring cash in small bills.....

dress down.......

be polite and personable......sellers like to chat ...

 

Don't walk in there holding a flashlight.

 

Don't get annoyed when the kids are involved (I mean young kids) peddling their lemonade and cookies as part of the sale.

Tempted as I am to say shut up after those kids keep screaming to each car that passes by and each person who wants to look at the stuff in peace, don't tell em to keep quiet.
LOL

 

be sure you bring it in your purse though!

 

Same with a loupe!

 

OK, here is a never, ever do...

Never give you purchases to one of the workers to hold for you when you see an area you didn't notice before. Been there, done that, they let someone else take my bag. I had to force them to pay me back for what was stolen!

 

Yes, early on I went to an estate sale and I asked the owner to watch some of my stuff. He said yes, I came back in about 1/2 hr, one item was left. That item was probably the one of most value but still.

 

My wife went ballistic at a sale when that happened to her good stuff. It was by the checkout area and the place was packed. Everyone turned and looked. Scary deal. She ended up finding the woman with her bag and got it back after a little scene. I recall walking to the car kinda still in shock. After being together for 40 years, that was the first time I'd seen her react like that to anything.

 

then u must be a Saint !!!

 

I went to an estate sale a few summers ago. All the stuff, which was good and vintage were in boxes in the backyard. It was about 123 degrees in the shade that day. I was melting.

There was no way to tell if a box with stuff belonged to another person buying or was part of the sale and belonged to no one. I accidently touched a box and this lady went nutz. Hollering at me. That is my box.. on and on.

I walked away cause she looked like trouble.

 

Happened to me at a rummage sale once. Similar scenario. Holy handgrenades were raised, and I rarely lose my temper in public. The thief had some nerve on her and stayed for coffee, claiming innocence all the while. It wasn't until later that I realized someone else had taken the one piece of porcelain I'd picked out, probably innocently since the pile was gone. I'd bet that if you asked your wife about it now she'd still be angry at the memory.

 

You know it, evely!

 

1. Never let on that you know the 50 cent thing is worth $500

2. Don't wear your diamond rings when haggling for a better price.

3. Never point out that they should be charging more for certain items

4. Don't be insulting to the seller. Don't say "OMG, who wasted their money on all this stupid Beanie Baby crap?"

4. Play dumb. Say "Oh, I just love this old stained glass lamp with the pretty dragonflies on the shade!
It's so cute! I collect dragonfly stuff! Will you take $3.00?"

 

I like 4#2!

When going to sales with friends always set up a code, things like:
"Wouldn't Mom love that" means "You can sell that for a lot more on ebay!".

 

The one and only time I had a garage sale,I specified NO early birds and the sale started at 9. People were ringing my doorbell at 6 am. I wasnt pleasant when I opened it. One gal tried to come back after I told her to get the hell off my property and never darken my doorstep again (one of the earliest early birds) and put up quite a battle when I wouldnt let her buy anything and again told her to get lost. Never again,I'll donate it first !

 

amen. I wouldn't have either. Getting there at 8AM to camp out is one thing, but 6AM and ringing the bell is above and beyond. Jewelry people know you have to get there first to get anything you'd want, but if you have to wait you have to wait.

 

OR you can always enlarge something quite a bit on your PHONE!!!

 

Never point !!!
Never bring a kid, or spouse who points......

I've been to yards sales and flea markets.....where my....assistant...????.......would point at something ......and the seller would see that and be all over us....and double the price !!!