by Shelly Kneupper Tucker

Created on: March 12, 2007   Last Updated: April 14, 2007

Treasure hunters, the weather is changing. The garage sales will soon begin. For those of you who have never experienced the thrill of the hunt, it's time for you to discover garage sales. There are many bargains to be had on household items, but you can sometimes find valuable antiques as well.

If you have ever watched the Antiques Road Show, you have probably drooled over the unexpected treasures that were found in what other people consider "trash." Sometimes the bargains are just a lucky find. However, those who have the best luck at garage sales are those who put a little thought into their "plan of attack."

Here are a few tips from a serious garage sale junkie (whose friends turn chartreuse with envy at the sight of her "lucky" finds):

1. Check the local papers (including the free papers like "Greensheet") for sales that might interest you. Also check craigslist.org for sales in your area. Don't rely on spotting signs as you drive through the neighborhoods. That tactic wastes a lot of gasoline. However,that doesn't mean you can't stop at an unexpected sale.

2. The night before, map out the sales you want to visit, so you can easily find your way from one sale to the next by the most direct route. Put them in order beginning with the sales that interest you most. Remember that on the second day of a sale, or even late on the first day, many of the best items will be gone. On the other hand, toward the end of the sale the sellers might give you a better price. They probably don't want to keep or donate the leftovers.

3. Take plenty of cash with you, if you intend to buy. Many sellers balk at accepting checks from strangers. If you find a large item you want, you will want to have the cash to buy it outright or hold it until you can get to an ATM and back. Have a supply of small bills, so the seller doesn't have to make change. My favorite tactic is to keep small bills in one pocket and large bills in another. It is "bad form" to talk a seller down from their price and then hand them a large bill to buy it!

4. Get an early start, but don't get to the sale before the advertised opening. That can irk the seller, which might make them less likely to be willing to bargain with you.

5. Make certain that you have plenty of room in your vehicle to carry your items home with you. Have some blankets for protecting items and perhaps some rope or bungee cord for securing items. If you are planning to buy large items, consider driving a truck or dragging a trailer. If you

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>