Ten Tips for Successful Garage Sale Hunting

If you're like me, you can't resist a garage sale. The lure of cheap stuff, the surprise and joy of finding something you did not expect. What's not to like? Going to garage sale, or garage sale-ing, as it is sometimes called, is fun, easy and you can save a ton of money.

Garage sales are excellent ways to finish furnishing up your home, to buy kitchen appliances and even find tools for your garage or workshop. They can also yield surprising finds of books, music or movies. If you have kids, they can be places to find some toys or items you might not be able to afford otherwise. Garage sales are expected to be cheap, and bargaining is part of the game!

But is there an art to buying things at garage sales? Perhaps, or at least a few tips you can learn. Here are ten tips for doing even better garage sale-ing. Have fun and happy bargain hunting!

1. Make a list. Figure out what you would like to find at the garage sales. Sure, some impulse buys are fun, too, but figure out what you really want. That way, you can be more targeted.
2. Find sales ahead of time. You can check your local paper or online classifieds, under the garage sales section, and plan ahead. Look for some sales that have things you want.
3. Map your route. After you find some sales that you like, map an approximate route to hit these sales. A great way to do this is to use Google Maps, which will allow you to create your own map and print it off.
4. Take a partner. If you can, go with someone else. If you're lucky enough to be able to reel in your significant other, that's awesome! My husband loves garage sales and we have had a couple of good "dates" doing the circuit. But you may prefer to phone a friend who also loves the bargain hunting process. Either way, a partner makes it more fun, and easier to spot sale signs!
5. Make a budget. Decide ahead of time how much you want to spend, and withdraw that amount of cash. Don't go over unless it is something that you were going to buy, anyway, at the store. After you've spent your money, go home!
6. Give in to serendipity. By that, I mean, go with the unexpected. Have your map and your list but be prepared to see lot of other signs on the road, too. Follow the signs and see where you end up. That is the fun of garage sale-ing.
7. Go early. Notice that you when you get there at noon, there doesn't seem to be that much good stuff? Well, get out of bed and on the road, early. You will get first choice of the most coveted items. Remember, garage sale-ing is a bit of a competitive sport!
8. Go late. Can't make it early? Or just didn't? Don't worry -- going late has its advantages. If you get there late in the day, the owner often is more open to negotiation, simply wanting to get rid of the stuff!
9. Bundle your purchases. Retailers do this all the time: buy this lipstick and this eye shadow, all for the low price of $23.99, and we'll throw in this little lipstick brush for free! Well, make that same principle work for you as the buyer. Let's say you want a wok, and a book and a garden hoe. The total asking price for these items is $17.00. Offer them ten bucks for all three, and you're both happy!
10. Know when to stop. This cheap form of shopping therapy is meant to be fun. So, if you're getting tired, stop. There will always be more garage sales next weekend. Don't do it if you're too tired or grouchy. You might buy stuff you don't want and you might have a fight with your shopping partner. I would recommend 3-4 hours at the most. Save your energy for putting all that stuff away!

So there you have it: ten tips for successful garage sale hunting. This can lead to hours of fun. Happy shopping!

For information about a city-wide garage sale happening in Winnipeg, see my article called, Giveaway Weekend.