Garage sales are a treasure trove for pre-loved items and one-of-a-kind pieces. But how do you go about finding these amongst the rubble of all the boxes? Managing to find garage sales near you may be the easy part, but nailing the purchases can be difficult. Follow our top tips for making the most of a garage sale and you’ll be able to sniff out the goldmines like a pro in no time.
Get to Garage Sales Early
Rise and shine early if you want to snag the best garage sale finds before someone else snatches them up. First in really are best dressed in this case – particularly if you’re after that designer vintage blazer on the back rack. Often the best items don’t stick around long, so if you’re rolling in at lunchtime, you might have missed the best pick of the lot.
Shop Around
Garage sales today are much easier to find thanks to the arrival of Facebook and Google which make it a breeze to find garage sales nearby. Before you head out for your day of garage sale scouring, compile a list of addresses to attend. This can save you from frantically researching ‘garage sales near me today’ between stops.
Attending multiple sales in a day is the best way to increase your chances of finding your next treasured possession. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to redo your wardrobe, fit out the kitchen cabinets and update your book collection at the one stop. Shopping around opens you up to a range of tastes and collections to riffle through.
Bargain
A garage sale is a prime opportunity to finesse your haggling skills. Prices on things are usually flexible so long as you engage in a respectful and open discussion with the seller. Try bundling items together to secure a better deal. While one book might set you back $5, you may be able to score three books for $10.
Often sellers hosting garage sales just want their excess belongings off their hands. This means you could score an absolute bargain simply by having the guts to ask. What is trash to them may be the most glorious ornament you’ve laid eyes on.
Quality Check
While we are massive advocates for second-hand purchases, there are some garage sale items that are more reliable than others. Just because it’s an absolute steal, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth taking home. Don’t be afraid to do a quick quality check on an item that’s caught your eye. This could be a mould check, testing electronics or appliances, or assessing clothing for missing zips and buttons. If it passes the quality check then congrats – you’ve found a treasure at the garage sale near you!
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