10 Tips for Shopping Yard Sales 12

Ah… Yard Sales Have Begun!

It’s that time of year again when the colorful signs start appearing on street corners – it’s time for yard sales!

Searching for vintage treasures at yard sales can be exciting! Here are some tips to make the most of your time while shopping yard sales.

1. Choose a Shopping Location

When looking for vintage items, you’ll want to start by focusing on your target location. Older neighborhoods and retirement communities are a great source for vintage items. Sales in rural areas, away from the suburbs and inner city, are another fantastic place to shop for vintage and rustic items.

2. Map Your Route

Consult your local classifieds or online listings, such as Craigslist (under the Garage Sale section) or Facebook sale pages, and map out a route to hit all the sales you want, with the least amount of driving and doubling back. Make sure to watch for unlisted sales along the way! TIP: If you have a smart phone, use a Map app with GPS to give you directions as you drive. Just jot down the addresses of the sales you want to attend ahead of time, then enter the first address into the app. When you are done at that sale, enter the next address before you get behind the wheel, then continue on your quest. You can automate this task by using an app on your phone – Garage Sales by Map and Yard Sale Treasure Map (our favorite) are two good apps to try.

3. Take Small Bills

You don’t want to be THAT person who shows up at 8am with only $20 bills, buying $1 items. If you have to get cash from the ATM in the morning, be considerate and grab a coffee or muffin somewhere to break large bills into smaller bills. It’s best to have plenty of $1, $5, and $10 bills on hand. TIP: Keep your money in several locations – such as different parts of your purse, or in different pockets. This way, you won’t have to pull out a wad of cash when paying for your purchases – which helps when you are bargaining for better prices.

4. Grab It Up

If you need to think about an item while you shop, grab it and carry it with you. On a busy day, the chances are good it will be gone if you hesitate too long. You can always set it back down. If the item is too large to carry, ask the seller to put a SOLD sign on it for you. TIP: Make up a few sold signs on PostIt notes before you venture out that include your first name. Then when you find something large that you want to buy, ask the seller to put your sold sign on the item.

5. Make Reasonable Offers

Be considerate. If the seller wanted to give it away, they would have donated it. Offering less than half the marked price is not recommended, as it’s rather tacky. The seller needs to have a chance to make money, too. Smile when you make an offer, and be gracious if it’s refused. One of the best ways to bargain is to put the seller in charge – asking them “what’s your best price on this?”. If that price is still higher than you want to pay, you can let the seller know the price is higher than your budget allows, and they may offer you a better price. If you see something you really would like to buy, but the price is too high (and the seller won’t negotiate), ask the seller to contact you if the item doesn’t sell at their sale, and if they are willing to come down on the price. TIP: Bring some cards with your name and number on them to quickly hand out to sellers for this kind of after-the-sale contact.

6. Show Your Money

Try to have the exact dollar amount in your hand when you make an offer and hold it out there. Seeing the cash in your hand as you ask “will you take $8 for this?” might prompt the seller to take you up on your offer immediately.

7. Be Creative

When browsing at a yard sale, make sure to not only look at items and their intended purpose, also look for items that have potential to become something new!  Use your creativity to imagine other uses for things you find.

8. If You Don’t See It, Ask

If you’re looking for a particular item, ask at every sale if they have one. Maybe you just didn’t see it, or maybe they’ve got one in the house they’d be willing to part with.

9. Keep Your Treasures Safe

If you’re planning an entire day of shopping, make sure you have a box or laundry basket in your trunk to corral small items.  Throw in a rope, tie-down straps and a blanket for padding in case you find a big treasure.

10. Be Courteous

Yard sale sellers are not professional retailers. You’re being invited onto their property, so be respectful – watch where you park and walk – and thank them when you’re done with your purchases.

The more often you go to yard sales, the more likely you are to find those awesome vintage treasures!  Make it a weekly event!

And the best way to end the day is to set out all your treasures once you get home, look at and enjoy them, and force anyone within earshot to listen to the stories of your amazing finds! Just ask my family.

…One of these days I hope to go to the Worlds Longest Yard Sale (click link for details). Wouldn’t that be FUN?!

Do you have a tip for shopping yard sales?  Share in a comment below!

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