Garage Sale Strategies: Tips from Our Readers

We're gearing up for another garage sale season this year, and we want YOU to get in on all the bargains! Here are some great hints, tips, and strategies from the moms who know garage sale the best: our readers. Thanks to everyone who sent in their suggestions!

Anne from New Mexico:
1. No matter how much money you plan on spending, have it broke down to dollars, and lots of quarters. People are easier swayed to take the one dollar if it is in your hand for that $3 or $4 dollar marked item, so they don't have to make change.
2. Go a bit later, after the big crowds, less left, but what is left is usually cheaper, as the seller is tired.
3. Enjoy the fun and meet new people!

April from Indiana:
The day before hitting garage sales, I actually map out where I will be going. I find it is best to stay in a certain mile radius. Start early, targeting the sales that may have what you are looking for in particular (summer clothes, toys, furniture). I find it is more productive and easier on my wallet if I don't bring the children along and to give myself a set amount of money to spend. Also don't be afraid or embarrassed to bargain with someone. Believe me, most people just want to get rid of their extra stuff and the cash isn't the first priority. One last tip: hit the large subdivisions, they typically are loaded with great things at great prices.

Jessica from Washington:
When shopping for baby/childrens items have a rough idea of what your looking for (i.e: playpen or highchair) and than go to CPSC.GOV and print out a list of all items that have been recalled to lower the risk of buying something that has been recalled, because garage sales are magnets for those recalled items that someone finds in their attic!

Margaret from Virginia:
I purchased a very nice wooden alphabet puzzle from a well-known educational children's toy manufacturer for my daughter at a garage sale for $1.00. (Retail $19.99) It was missing three letters so I called the manufacturer and they sent me the missing letters at no charge! Now I have a quality, complete puzzle for my daughter. I have found most toy manufacturers will gladly do this if asked. :)

Heather from Texas:
I'm great at garage sales, I buy items like kids clothing for my kids that are name brand stuff for 25-50 cents and turn around and sell it for cash at a resale shop for 2.00 on up. I always haggle with the person running the garage sale, don't ever think the price is low enough already, it doesn't hurt to ask. Always go out early AM and look for signs, chances are that they are willing to bargain more if they haven't spent a lot on a newspaper ad.

Lori from Ohio:
I find a person who has repeat garage sales and hit those every year. I develop a level of friendship with these people and get some great deals because I am a repeat customer!!! Last year I got my child's entire winter wardrobe for 15 bucks!!!

Carnie from Illinois:
Arrive early and if you wait until they have been open for 2 hours, you've missed the bargains! And never be afraid to ask if they will take less (however don't insult them). The best are town wide or block sales.

Christy from Georgia:
I have been a yard sale fanatic for about 5 years. The key to it is to buy a paper on Thursday. Then on Friday map out your route and be very accurate on your directions. Get up early 6am on Saturday and try to be on the road by 7am. Take small bills lots of change and don't be afraid to bargain on the price. If you are looking for clothes or shoes measure for sizes before you go and take a tape measure with you. I try not to spend more than two hours on Saturday driving and buying so I can spend time with my family. I also yard sale alone to speed things up. If you have time make a book of sizes and things you and other family members are searching for but be prepared to keep anything they do not like. I yard sale for fun and living on a budget it allows money to go further. I have found all our camping supplies, some clothes, baby supplies anything I could have dreamed up. The only thing I don't recommend is taking children. You spend twice as much and risk them getting a dog bite or worse hit by another yard seller’s car.

Kate from Washington:
It's not so much how you shop but where--you quickly learn what areas of your town are good for garage sales. Don't bother with sales with small or difficult-to-follow signs unless you're desperate--it saves lots of time. The last day of the garage sale may have less to choose from, but the sellers will be more willing to bargain down. Bring lots of ones and empty your change bin--often sellers don't think ahead to have change. Church Bazaars are the greatest!

Jodi from Vermont:
I usually stay away from community yard sales that have been going on for a number of years. They're usually mobbed with shoppers, and the tables are usually pretty bare because, really, how much stuff can someone put out sell year after year? I head to the other side of town and score big!

Maureen from Texas:
Go early in morning. Take time to dig in bags and boxes. always ask if they're willing to take less. Can look for sales in the paper, but often a neighborhood will just place signs out on the street corner instead of advertising in the paper, so just get in your car and cruise. In having a garage sale, my most successful ones were the ones where I didn't price anything. I just made deals. It was stuff I was going to give to Goodwill anyway and I didn't want to haul it back into the garage.

Kit from California:
As an avid garage-saler, I have found that I get the best bargains when I am purchasing several items at once. I usually make a single offer for the entire lot, and the seller more often than not agrees to that price. Also, don't be shy about dickering over a price! I always make it a point to greet the person/s conducting the sale with a smile and a friendly hello. And if their sign/ad was helpful, I compliment them on that. This cordiality gives me a good report with the sellers, and I believe it garners me better prices.

Colleen from Pennsylvania:
My major rule is never pay the sticker price--I break this only under extreme circumstances (like if it is being sold by someone 9 years old and under) Best way to do this is get everything you want to buy and offer a fair lump sum amount. Like if you have 3 $5 items offer $10 for all etc.

Debbie from Florida:
Always offer less than a marked price. You can't lose. The seller can only say no. If you are buying a bunch of things, add it all up in your head and then come up with an amount that is a better deal for you...be ready to offer that amount AFTER you ask the seller how much they want for what you have. Sometimes they will surprise you and offer you less than you were going to say. NEVER be the first to offer an amount.