How to Buy from Yard Sales
Find yard sales in your area., Gather supplies before you shop., Decide what time of day you want to shop., Check out the neighborhood., Read yard sale signs carefully., Examine the yard sale's presentation., Ask the seller if you are looking for a...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Find yard sales in your area.
Check the classifieds in your local newspaper.
Look for flyers at grocery stores, churches, and other areas with community billboards.
Browse websites with event or for-sale listings in your community.
Keep an eye out for yard sale signs while driving on the weekends. -
Step 2: Gather supplies before you shop.
Make sure you have adequate cash in small bills.
Most sellers at yard and garage sales will not accept personal checks, and the items you're interested in may sell while you're gone if you have to make a trip to the ATM.
Bring a hat and sunglasses to protect your face from the sun if it's a warm day and you plan to go to multiple yard sales.
Consider taking a tape measure with you if you are looking for furniture.
Measure areas in your residence where you might want to place new furniture and record them in a small notebook that you can bring with you for reference while shopping.
Keep hand sanitizer or cleansing wipes in your vehicle or purse, fanny pack, or pocket.
You may accidentally touch dirty or unsanitary items at some yard sales. , Plan to arrive at the sale's start time for the largest selection.
Be aware sellers may be less likely to negotiate early in the day.
Choose a later arrival time if you want to get the lowest prices.
Sellers are often willing to sell items for much lower prices towards the end of a sale so that they have fewer items to put away or donate. , Although you never know what you might find at a yard sale, you can draw conclusions about what types of items might be available based on the neighborhood.
Look for swing sets, children's toys or bikes in yards.
These indicate there may be many families in the neighborhood and a better chance that you will find toys, baby items, and children's clothing.
Focus on established neighborhoods with retirees if you are looking primarily for collectibles or antiques. , Make sure there is a date and time listed on the sign.
People often leave up old yard and garage sale signs for days, or even weeks, after the sale is over.
Look at the condition of the balloons if the seller has tied them to the yard sale sign.
Full balloons indicate an ongoing or recent sale, but droopy, under-filled, wrinkly balloons can be a sign that the sale is no longer current. , Sellers who take the time to organize their items and whose merchandise is clean are more likely to have quality items that are well-maintained. , This will save you time and allow you to stop at more sales on the same day. , You will often get a better price if you wait to see what the seller thinks the item is worth than if you offer first. , Sellers offer items as is and usually will not take a return.
Check battery compartments for corroded batteries.
Ask if you can plug in any electrical appliances to make sure they function correctly.
Run your finger around the rims of dishware and glasses to check for chips and cracks. , Use caution when purchasing baby items as these have often been recalled.
Do not buy a used car seat as you have no way of knowing whether the seat was involved in an accident, even if you know the model was not recalled or expired.
Older cribs often have slats that are spaced too far apart.
Leave used bike or motorcycle helmets on the table.
Helmets may look fine on the outside, but you can't know if they were involved in an accident that caused internal damage.
Consider whether you want to risk bringing pests home with you before buying a used mattress.
Used mattresses can hold dust mites, bed bugs or even mold spores.
Check the plugs on hairdryers.
The plain 2-prong plugs used on hairdryers prior to 1991 in the United States don't properly protect the user from accidental water immersion. , Prices are usually comparable to those you see in thrift stores. , Most sellers are open to offers, and they will let you know if they think a price is too low. , The seller can call you after the sale if the item doesn't sell and the seller is willing to sell the item for less. -
Step 3: Decide what time of day you want to shop.
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Step 4: Check out the neighborhood.
-
Step 5: Read yard sale signs carefully.
-
Step 6: Examine the yard sale's presentation.
-
Step 7: Ask the seller if you are looking for a specific item.
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Step 8: Request prices on unlabeled items before offering a price.
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Step 9: Look over items carefully before you buy at yard sales.
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Step 10: Avoid buying potentially hazardous items.
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Step 11: Prepare to pay around 15 percent of an item's original price at a yard sale.
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Step 12: Negotiate if you believe an item has been overpriced.
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Step 13: Provide your name and number if a seller won't negotiate.
Detailed Guide
Check the classifieds in your local newspaper.
Look for flyers at grocery stores, churches, and other areas with community billboards.
Browse websites with event or for-sale listings in your community.
Keep an eye out for yard sale signs while driving on the weekends.
Make sure you have adequate cash in small bills.
Most sellers at yard and garage sales will not accept personal checks, and the items you're interested in may sell while you're gone if you have to make a trip to the ATM.
Bring a hat and sunglasses to protect your face from the sun if it's a warm day and you plan to go to multiple yard sales.
Consider taking a tape measure with you if you are looking for furniture.
Measure areas in your residence where you might want to place new furniture and record them in a small notebook that you can bring with you for reference while shopping.
Keep hand sanitizer or cleansing wipes in your vehicle or purse, fanny pack, or pocket.
You may accidentally touch dirty or unsanitary items at some yard sales. , Plan to arrive at the sale's start time for the largest selection.
Be aware sellers may be less likely to negotiate early in the day.
Choose a later arrival time if you want to get the lowest prices.
Sellers are often willing to sell items for much lower prices towards the end of a sale so that they have fewer items to put away or donate. , Although you never know what you might find at a yard sale, you can draw conclusions about what types of items might be available based on the neighborhood.
Look for swing sets, children's toys or bikes in yards.
These indicate there may be many families in the neighborhood and a better chance that you will find toys, baby items, and children's clothing.
Focus on established neighborhoods with retirees if you are looking primarily for collectibles or antiques. , Make sure there is a date and time listed on the sign.
People often leave up old yard and garage sale signs for days, or even weeks, after the sale is over.
Look at the condition of the balloons if the seller has tied them to the yard sale sign.
Full balloons indicate an ongoing or recent sale, but droopy, under-filled, wrinkly balloons can be a sign that the sale is no longer current. , Sellers who take the time to organize their items and whose merchandise is clean are more likely to have quality items that are well-maintained. , This will save you time and allow you to stop at more sales on the same day. , You will often get a better price if you wait to see what the seller thinks the item is worth than if you offer first. , Sellers offer items as is and usually will not take a return.
Check battery compartments for corroded batteries.
Ask if you can plug in any electrical appliances to make sure they function correctly.
Run your finger around the rims of dishware and glasses to check for chips and cracks. , Use caution when purchasing baby items as these have often been recalled.
Do not buy a used car seat as you have no way of knowing whether the seat was involved in an accident, even if you know the model was not recalled or expired.
Older cribs often have slats that are spaced too far apart.
Leave used bike or motorcycle helmets on the table.
Helmets may look fine on the outside, but you can't know if they were involved in an accident that caused internal damage.
Consider whether you want to risk bringing pests home with you before buying a used mattress.
Used mattresses can hold dust mites, bed bugs or even mold spores.
Check the plugs on hairdryers.
The plain 2-prong plugs used on hairdryers prior to 1991 in the United States don't properly protect the user from accidental water immersion. , Prices are usually comparable to those you see in thrift stores. , Most sellers are open to offers, and they will let you know if they think a price is too low. , The seller can call you after the sale if the item doesn't sell and the seller is willing to sell the item for less.
About the Author
Raymond Phillips
A passionate writer with expertise in organization topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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