Some call them yard sales. Others say rummage sales. Still others say garage sales. No matter what name you give them, they all mean the same thing: savings.
Whether you are shopping the yard sales for back to school clothes or a new vacuum, scouting out second hand sales is a great way to stretch your family dollar.
To maximize your yard sale experience, try these three tips.
Yard Sale Tip One: Pick Your Place
Driving around town hoping to happen upon a fabulous yard sale will only waste gas and time. Instead, plan ahead. Check out the advertisements for yard sales in your area and plan where to go in advance. If you are looking for antiques and collectables, focus on established neighborhoods with an older population. For children’s items, like clothes or toys, pick the neighborhoods nearest to the schools. Jewelry may be more common in high end neighborhoods.
Yard Sale Tip Two: Lean on a List
Don’t wander around blindly or you may come home from your yard sale day with lots of things you don’t want or need. Instead, have an idea of the types of things you want. For example, do you need winter boots for your six year old, kitchen equipment for your college aged child or exercise equipment for your home gym? It helps to have a plan so you don’t spend too much time hunting.
Yard Sale Tip Three: Be Ready to Barter
Don’t Like the Price? Don’t worry. At yard sales, all prices are negotiable. Make an offer that is 50% to 75% less than the sticker price and see where it goes. But be realistic, if an item is listed for a quarter, it’s probably not worth haggling over.
Whether you call them yard sales or garage sales, second hand shopping can be a real treat. If you plan your route, stick to your list and barter with the best, you’re likely to come home from your yard sale hunt with more than a few treasures.