Garage Sale Tips

One thing I love about summer is all the garage sales in our neighborhood. I’ve been able to find some really great finds for our house by trolling the rummages sales. To get the most out of your “rummage” experience, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.

Don’t Buy Something Just Because It’s Cheap
You might see an item so reasonable it’s hard to pass up, but never buy something just because it’s at a good price. Always make sure you have the space for it. In fact, before you buy, picture the item in your house or yard. Where will you put it? How will you use it? If you can’t envision where the item might work in your household, leave it at the sale.

Negotiate!
If you see something priced higher than you’d like, ask the seller if it’s the best they can do. Often people don’t really know how to price their goods, and it takes some negotiation to get to a number both parties can agree upon. If you see something already very cheap, however, just buy it!

Consider Maintenance or Repair Before Purchasing
We just picked up a lamp at a rummage sale this past weekend. The lamp was priced at $2. It was one I had wanted for years and had never been able to find. We weren’t sure if it worked. Still, even if we had to buy a lamp kit (which runs anywhere from $4-10) we would still have a good deal.

Go Early or Extremely Late
To get the best selection of goods, go early to rummage sales. Check the local paper and find out when they open. To get the best deals, however, show up at the end. Often sellers will give you something very cheaply just so they don’t have to take it back in the house or donate it.

Image: sxc.hu.