Garage

Having a yard sale can be a great way to get rid of unused items that are taking up space while earn some spare cash in the process. However, if you’ve never had a yard sale before, the thought of planning and running one can be quite overwhelming. Worry not. I’m here to give you some tips I learned from good, old-fashioned experience.

Begin By Planning What to Sell

To start planning your yard sale, you need to consider what you want to sell. This part of the process can be a great family event. Have everyone start by going through their unused items. You can sell clothing that you no longer wear, look at the old dust-ridden books on your shelves, grab the long-abandoned toys that no longer get played with, etc.

Sell New Items Too

Another great way to acquire items to sell at your yard sale is to shop for free-after-rebate items that stores offer. Consumers often pass up buying free-after-rebate items because they don’t use the brand names offered or don’t need the products. However, someone else might and you can profit from that fact. If you buy free-after-rebate items, you can hold onto them and sell them at your yard sale and make a few dollars.

Spread the Word

Once you’ve planned exactly what you’re going to sell, make a date and spread the word. Don’t just expect people to show up to your yard sale. You have to advertise. The more customers you have, the more likely it is that you will sell most of your items. Whatever items don’t sell, just keep for your next yard sale. Just because an item doesn’t sell the first time around, doesn’t mean that no one will want it the next time you have a sale.

Get Everything Ready

In order for your yard sale to go smoothly, make sure that you have all the items you plan to sell set aside and ready to go a few days before your yard sale. Make sure you have extra shopping bags on hand so that you can the bag items for your customers. You will also need stickers to label each item with the price you are selling it for. You can put a small ad in your local newspaper to generate traffic to your yard sale. Mention in your ad that you have a table of free items. That will increase interest in your yard sale. You can place some items on your free table that you don’t mind just getting rid of such as old magazines.

If you’ve never had a yard sale before, you should definitely consider having one. A yard sale is not only a great way to make some spare money, but it can also be a lot of fun too.

How to Get the Biggest Bargains at Flea Markets

Want to be the person who snatches up all the bargains at the flea market? Here's how:

Hitting a flea market in jeans and a t-shirt will help you to stay comfortable, but did you know that it can also help you to stay on budget? It true. Vendors often use your clothing to determine how much they think you can afford to spend. Don't be the overdressed person that's offered an overdressed price.

For the best deals at an outdoor flea market, the beginning of the season is the time to shop. Why? Because the vendors are loaded down with fresh inventory from the off-season, and eager for some income.

Hoping to score a real treasure? Then, hit the flea market as soon as it opens. Hoping to score the best price? Then, go late in the day when the vendors know they have two choices: sell it or haul it home.

Want a better price on that gizmo or gadget? Then, ask for it. Haggling is an accepted and expected practice at flea markets. Not able to get the seller to budge on his price? Then, ask him to throw in something extra--a lamp to go with that table or a pair of pants to go with that shirt.

See several items in a booth that you'd like to buy? Then, negotiate a price for the group. Bulk sales deserve bulk prices.

Often the best deals are at the messiest booths. Sift through boxes and piles of junk, and you may find a rare gem at a junk pile price.

Searching for something, but not finding what you want? Mention it. Vendors often bring extra merchandise to restock their booths throughout the day, and they could have what you're looking for on their truck or be able to point you to a section of their booth that you've overlooked.

In love with something you've found? Save the victory dance for home (or at least until after the sale is complete), otherwise you may dance yourself right into a higher price. Practice your poker face – or in this case, your flea market face – and then use it to get what you want at a price that you can afford.

How to Make Money at Garage Sales without Lifting a Finger

One day not too long ago, Ben Weissenstein, a senior in high school at the time, was helping his mom set up her yard sale. Although he had been to numerous yard sales over the years, he had never been involved in the set up process before. As he was helping her, he had an idea. Why not do this kind of thing on a much bigger scale?

With a dream, drive and determination, Ben brought his idea to fruition. Today, he is founder and CEO of the successful Grand Slam Garage Sales, GSGS, based out of Houston, Texas.

The premise of the company is quite simple. GSGS sets up the garage sales from start to finish. The preparation, actual sale and cleanup process is done by the company - the homeowners don’t lift a finger. Besides Ben, several adult managers and 30 part-time high school and college students make up the GSGS work force.

Many of us accumulate things we no longer need or use. And putting a garage or yard sale together is a time consuming process that requires a lot of hard work and elbow grease. But with a full-service garage sale operation like GSGS, the friendly uniformed staff does all the work for you, from start to finish. Why not clean out that messy garage, attic or crawl space and make some extra money without doing a thing? And the things that do not sell are packed up and donated to Goodwill to help others.

In an online interview, Ben explained how he came up with the name. “I had a list of over 200 names I came up with, and with some help from my mom and brother, I decided on Grand Slam Garage Sales. I love baseball, it’s catchy and it’s easy to remember. It’s fun, memorable, and is a name that we can go to the next level with!”

· GSGS provides an Inventory Check prior to the sale to ensure the sale will be successful.

· Although several different plans are offered, the base fee is $450 for sales up to $1099.

· GSGS provides all tables, clothes racks, signs, boxes, change, fanny packs and cleaning supplies.

· Advertising includes Craigslist, TagSellIt, GSGS website, email notifications and various newspapers listings.

1. On Friday prior to the sale, employees set up the sale, cover and secure all items.

2. At 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, several uniformed GSGS employees arrive and prepare the sale.

5. Since no items are priced, all pricing is done verbally and GSGS encourages haggling. After all, that is part of the fun!

7. When the sale is complete, employees sweep out the garage and add a touch of air freshener.

8. Items that are not sold are transported to the Goodwill for an additional fee.

It is pretty obvious that Ben thoroughly enjoys his career. “When it comes to the actual garage sales, it is fun when we have repeat customers that we talk to. It’s also fun bargaining with customers and making jokes at the sale.”

Ben’s goals include expanding his business to every city in the United States and eventually, internationally. As long as he keeps working towards those goals and hires great people, he is certain he can reach those goals.

Due to the struggling economy, Ben has seen an increase in sales and attendees and expects business to boom. Ben says, “Our goal is for you to be able to relax while knowing that your garage sale is in good hands.”

“I hope my story is inspirational and as the business succeeds, I hope it will touch more people and get them to realize that anything is possible. I’ve never thought that I’m special by any means; I just feel that I’m driven and determined and I have the want to succeed. I feel that that’s the real formula to succeed.“

Ben says, “Our goal is for you to be able to relax while knowing that your garage sale is in good hands.”

Ben Weissenstein's inspirational story proves that as long as you have a dream, drive and determination, you can do whatever you put your mind to, no matter how old, or young, you are.

I love the thrift stores and yard sales because there is a great variety of items and these items are usually very inexpensive, which saves me a lot of money for spending on other items or saving. Here are some examples of great deals that I find.

Books: I love reading, and before I discovered the books at the thrift stores, I was a book club member, spending a small fortune on books. Then I realized I could find books at the thrift stores for a fraction of the price. At our local Goodwill, the price for a hardback book is $2.99, a paperback book is $1.99, for a magazine (this includes craft leaflets) is 29 cents, for children's book is 99 cents. There is a great variety and the books are organized into categories. You can also find books at yard sales, but usually there isn't a huge variety. If you are lucky enough to find a book you want at a yard sale, it's a lot cheaper than even the thrift stores!

Coffee mugs: Our local Goodwill charges 50 cents each! What a steal! These are mugs that are in good condition, and yes, it's possible to find them without chips. In fact, most of them look like new. Yard sales are usually cheaper yet.

Craft items: I have found brand new or very close to brand new squeeze type dimensional paint and acrylic paint for 25 cents each, which is another steal! I have also found beads in plastic baggies for 25 cents each. Silk flowers in large plastic baggies I have found for as low as 79 cents and as high as $1.59. There is also a ton of sewing patterns and material. I'm not sure of the prices on these because I'm not a sewer, but I'm sure they are a good bargain. Knitting needles and sometimes crochet needles are another find. Picture frames: Picture frames at the Goodwill usually run from 99 cents to $2.99, depending on how large and what shape the frame is in.

Household decorations: I decided to re-do our living room in a tropical, sea type theme. I had a lot of fun with this project and still am. If you go to the thrift store with a theme in mind, you will find all sorts of stuff! My favorite find was a puzzle someone had put together and framed for $1.99. The puzzle was a picture of underwater life including a turtle and tropical fish. I have found fish tank decorations for around 49 cents, and if any of you have bought these brand new, you know they are very expensive. I have found ceramic shells, real shells, ceramic fish, paper mache fish, and more very inexpensive items to decorate my living room. I decorate all rooms of the house including the front and back porch with this method, and if I ever want to change a theme, it's pretty cheap to do it.

Clothes: I can't stand paying $30 for a shirt or a pair of pants. I really can't stand paying $30 for children's shirts, pants or shoes because they grow out of them so quick. Some people may frown on buying used clothes, but I see it as sensible. Most of the clothes found in the thrift stores and yard sales are in very good shape and you can't even tell they are used. My daughter who is twelve enjoys looking for clothes at the Goodwill more than I do. Sometimes when I shop department stores for clothes, I can't find anything I like, but at the thrift stores, there is such a variety that I don't have a problem with this. A few years ago, I paid $9 each for pretty, new looking winter coats for my daughter and me.

Baking pans: A few months back, I needed a loaf pan, so I searched Goodwill. Sure enough, I found one that looked brand new for 69 cents!

School supplies: I have found kid's Fiskars scissors for 49 cents and binders for 69 to 99 cents. There are also bagged markers, pencils and crayons.

Rubbermaid or Tupperware containers: These are only 19 to 29 cents. It will take some digging to find container and lid matches, but for the price, dig!

What is needed to find treasures at thrift stores and yard sales is patience and knowing what you want. I go on a regular, sometimes weekly, basis, which allows me to find a great variety of items.

I hope this article has inspired you to go look for great bargains at the thrift stores and yard sales. Another benefit of shopping this way is helping the earth by keeping this stuff out of the landfills.

Monica is the founder Homemaker's Journal E-publications, the growing home of many fun and informative home and garden e- books, tip sheets, articles and more!

Get a FREE Slowcooker Recipe E-book when you subscribe to Monica's FREE e-zine for homemakers! To subscribe and receive instructions for picking up your FREE e-book, just send a blank e-mail to mailto:HomemakersJournal-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Thrifty Tips from the Yardsale Queen

Some people believe the myth that there’s only junk at yardsales and thrift stores. That is absolutely not true. Buying at yardsales doesn’t necessarily mean that you are buying someone’s used, dirty castoffs. I often find Christmas wrapping paper still attached to the box,

or a wedding card tucked inside of a box that was probably a duplicate wedding gift (and now the present that probably cost $40 in the store is selling for $5 at a yardsale).

The nicer stuff does get snapped up quickly, so persistence is the key. I often stop by the thrift store in my town two or more times a week to see what “new” stuff has come in. Often the cashier says to me, “Oh, we just put this out today.”

I can’t say specifically that shopping at yardsales and thrift stores is totally responsible for us living a debt-free life, but I know it has definitely helped. (Our mortgage was paid off in April 2000.) For instance, I’m not spending $99 for a metal two-drawer filing cabinet at Staples and putting it on a credit card; instead, I bought a similar one for $4 at thrift store. I don’t have high credit card bills since if I know I need something, I just wait until I can find it cheap at a yardsale.

Shopping at yardsales has enhanced our lifestyle — our money goes a lot further than buying retail. My son is enjoying playing in a $50 camping tent from Target that we have set up in the backyard. I paid $5 (still new in the box) at a yardsale a few years back.

Note that not every thrift store is created equal — some are run by volunteers and others are run for profit by storeowners. To find some non-profit thrift stores in your area (or to check some out while on vacation), visit thethriftshopper.com. [J.D.'s note: I covered this site in April.]

And when you do decide to check out your local thrift stores, flea markets and yardsales, you never know who you may run into. Celebrities who have been seen buying secondhand include Kirstie Alley, Jodie Foster, Clint Eastwood and even Oprah to name a few. If buying secondhand is good enough for them, it’s good enough for me!

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Visit Chris at The Yardsale Queen for more ideas on how to save money at garage sales and thrift stores. Be sure to take part in her busy yardsale/thrifting message board.

Budget Decorator's Guide to Yard and Garage Sales

Decor For Less

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This yard and garage sale guide is a result of years of addictive shopping for "stuff." As you have probably guessed if you have read any of my guides to budget decorating, I am a long-time fan of garage or yard sales. In my 30+ years of Saturday morning garage sale marathons, I have found them to be the best places to acquire home decor items and furniture that can be recycled. During those years, I have learned to be a master garage sale shopper. Follow these guidelines for shopping (adjust them to fit your area) and you can be one too!

1. Spend some time the night before creating a list of the sales you want to hit. Look at the map to make certain you know where the sale is located and write directions on your list to remind you. When Saturday comes, you can hit more sales in less time if you don't have to search for the listing and addresses.

2. Go early or late. To get the pick of the most items, go early when the sale is just opening. Warning: you may not be able to haggle as much as you can later in the day, but you can get popular items that may be sold before noon. To get the best price on items, go later when the seller is just wanted to get rid of "stuff." The seller will be more likely to bargain.

3. Haggle. I haggle for everything unless the price is so low that I would be embarrassed to offer less! I usually start at half the original price and go up from there. The worst that can happen is that they will say, "NO."

4. Come with cash and hold out the money as you offer a price. Most sellers, when faced with the actual money, will agree rather than see those greenbacks disappear back into your pocket. I recommend bringing a stack of dollar bills, but keep them in your purse. We don't want sellers to think you are a "high roller" with that stack of money. Just take out the exact amount of your offer. If you hold out a $20 bill and offer $1 for your item, the seller will probably not agree to the lower price because they know you are able to pay more.

5. Offer a bulk price if there are several things you want. Sellers are often willing to sell at a cheaper price if you are buying a group of items.

6. This is a purely unscientific personal opinion based on years of observations, but generally the fancier and bigger the sign, the worse the yard sale. Maybe it's the amount of traffic the sale gets or maybe sellers are making up for the lack of items by marketing what they have. Whatever the reason, it seems to hold true in several parts of the country.

7. An equally unscientific and purely personal opinion is if the items are tagged with individually typed notes and prices, the prices are too high. The seller obviously invested a lot of time and emotional value in these items. They are probably going to respond negatively to a low offer. Again, a purely personal opinion based on observation.

8. Make a list of the items you need and look for them first. Try to stick with the list, but if you come upon an one-of-a-kind item with a striking and unique design that you love, feel free to toss the list in favor of serendipity.

9. If you buy something that won't fit in your car, write down the address and ask for a written receipt for the item from the seller. Give the seller your name, your telephone number and the approximate time of pickup. Then put a "Sold" sign on the item yourself! Covering all your bases will reduce the chances that your item will be sold to someone else accidentally.

Yard sales can be fun and exciting. The "thrill of the chase" is definitely at play here. If you are patient, avoid buying items you don't need, and consistently visit yard sales, you can furnish your entire home inexpensively. It's that "avoid buying items you don't need" part that always gets me into trouble. But if I buy too much, the next month I have my own yard sale - the best in the neighborhood. And with an itty bitty sign!

Turn Junk Into Cash

Tips for Garage Sale Success

Garage sales are not hard to do. All it takes is some time, a few organizational skills, a tad of marketing and you will be on your way to turning your junk into cash.

Power in Numbers

Ask friends and family if they would like to participate in a group garage sale. You will increase your chances of attracting buyers by having a wide selection and inventory. Everyone can split the cost and the legwork of advertising the sale, plus it's more fun.

Pricing Your Items

· Take the time to clearly mark every item that you will be putting into your sale.

· For similar items, such as paperback books, it is acceptable to put up a sign with one price-point. Example - All Paperback Books - 50 cents each!

· Use quarter-dollar pricing increments to simplify calculating the payment process.

· Generally, figure around one-fifth of the retail price for items that are working and in good shape.

For items only used once or twice, or those that were never used, you could get one-third of the retail value, depending on the item.

People Love BOGO Sales

A BOGO stands for "Buy One Get One" and it is used in retail stores to entice customers to purchase multiple items. It works the same in garage sales. Books, videos, baby clothing and records are good items to include in this type of pricing structure and people love getting something for free.

Clean and Fix It

Not many people want to buy dirty things. You will want to clean and fix the items you place in your sale.

· Load the dishwasher with all the glassware you plan to sell and you will be amazed at how much more appealing it becomes when it sparkles.

· Run your clothing through the wash then neatly hand press or briefly iron over them to make them crisp and appealing.

It may sound like a big job, but it is worth it. In fact, often after we clean or fix something, we decide to keep it.

Advertise

The saying, "Build it - they will come," doesn't work for too many garage sales. Do not expect people to just find you. Real bargain hunters start checking the newspapers early to plan their route. Most newspapers post weekend garage sale advertising at a lower cost than the normal classified fees. You will want to make sure you are included in this section of the paper the day before and the morning of your sale. You will probably be charged per word, so it is a good idea to think up what you want to say before calling the paper.

Remember the Important Points

· If you live in rural area, offer directions, a landmark that your home is near, or the color of your house.

· A brief run down of specific items you will be selling such as, baby clothing, toys, arts and craft supplies, artwork, furniture.

· Use the name-brand items that are in big demand, like, BabyGap (size 2t - 4t), or Ethan Allen furniture.

Signage Tips

When putting out your street signs, select the high-traffic areas of your neighborhood and around the streets that will guide the people to you. Also, flimsy construction paper is not very effective for street signs, especially on rainy or windy days. A good piece of thick cardboard cut from a box, spray painted in a unique color, with your address, and sale hours printed large enough to read, will bring the people to your door.

Merchandising Your Items

Garage-sale hunters like to feel like there is a lot of nice stuff for them to choose from, so take the time to think out how and where you will place things.

· Avoid putting items in boxes on the ground. Not too many people will bend over or kneel down to dig through it.

· Designate a table for folded clothing. Include sweaters, t-shirts, jeans, and select baby clothing.

· Sheets, draperies, blankets, and bedspreads should be neatly folded. Use a pretty ribbon to tie grouped items together and price as a set.

· Place your most appealing items within eyeshot of the street so people driving by can see them.

· If you have sets of dishes, display all of them out. Avoid putting one plate with a note telling the visitor that there are more. Seeing is believing, and they will want to inspect each piece.

· Tools, lawn equipment, workout benches, etc., will appeal to both men and women, so place them in a high-visible area.

Group your items - toys with toys, clothes with clothes. Think about the setup of your nearest Wal-mart and section things similarly.

Ideas for Garage Sale Success

The time is getting close and you are almost ready to open your home for business. Before you do, consider these ideas:

· Set up a secure area for your sales transactions to enable you to keep a close eye on your money box.

· Inform your direct neighbors that you are having a garage sale. Offer to rope their yard so people don't park on their grass.

· Have extension cords plugged into outlets so that electrical items can be tested.

· If you are short on help, consider wearing a 3-pocket apron or a fanny-wrapper purse, so that you can keep your money near you while you mingle with your shoppers.

The Day of Your Garage Sale

It is considered discourteous to those who respect your advertised time. Plus, they tend to scoop up all the good stuff and haggle you while you are still in your pajamas.

If people ask to use your restroom, be prepared to politely tell them no. No one should go inside your home or to an area of your house that is not opened to the public.

If you start to get a lot of cash, locking it in your car is an option if you can not leave the crowds to go into your house.

Clean Up

Remove all of your signs as soon as the sale has ended. Your neighbors will appreciate it and latecomers will not be endlessly ringing your door bell.

Lastly, grab a hot cup of coffee, go sit in your favorite chair, and count all the money you just made from your hard work.

Instead of separate prices on items for single family yard sales, group many items and charge the same price. For instance: have a dollar table; all toys this group 50 cents, this group $1; all shoes $2 per pair; all clothes $1 per piece (this brings $2 for a two piece outfit). I have found that this not only helps ease the pricing factor, but people are more likely to buy your items if they are priced to sell. I also have a separate area for finer items (designer clothes/shoes, etc.) for those higher priced products. (Patti B)
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If you advertise in the paper for your yard / garage sale to start at a certain time, please make sure that you start at or even a little before the time specified. I can't tell you how many times I went to one that wasn't ready when they said their sale would be and I decided that I just wouldn't come back. I usually plan a route and don't back track too often.
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Post a sign the day before a garage sale stating, "Garage Sale Tomorrow." Many commented that it was the reason they came to my last garage sale because it was on their mind. (Claudia)
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Have plenty of room for your yard sale as well as for the people to move around. Even if that means blocking your driveway at the end, and having people park on the street. (Nancy)
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Keep your prices simple. Keep in multiples like, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, $1.00, etc. Don't price at $2.99. It is too hard to make change that way. (Nancy)
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To protect your property during the sale... have at least one good size trash can near the entrance to your sale. People won't toss trash on your yard. (bette devlin)
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To protect your property during the sale... if you have sprinkler heads that stick up, mark them with something bright, so people don't trip, and/or run over them with their cars. (I use the flags off of our bicycles, just stick them into the ground next to the sprinkler heads.) (bette devlin)
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To protect your property during the sale... place a sawhorse across the front of your driveway so that cars can't use it to turn around there. (and possibly hit someone.) (bette devlin)
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I have a canopy that I use for my sales. All the clothing goes on tables under it. This way the clothing stays dry, and doesn't sun fade. Also makes a Shady/Cool place for people to browse through the clothes. If you don't have a canopy,... you can rig up some tarps, or display clothes on the porch, etc... (bette devlin)
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Check into your local and community laws concerning yard sales. Some communities require a yard sale permit.
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Make your yard sale signs noticeable! BIG and bright with big letters and big arrows. Make lots of signs including one in front of your house. You can even make a certain symbol that makes your sign unique (such as a star). Place the date and street name on your signs. Use bright fluorescent poster board on top of cardboard for extra strength in case of winds. Check to see if you can read your own signs as you drive by. Be sure to remove all signs after the yard sale is over.
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Don't post your signs up until the morning of the sale, and only after you have most of your items laid out ready to go.
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Clean the items up. They are more likely to sell than dirty items. Also consider setting items such as a crib or bed up for display. This way it is more noticeable to those who are just driving by scanning for certain items.
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Put a price on everything. You are more likely to sell things this way. Use removable stickers or masking tape that is easy to remove. Or even post a sign on a box of things, or a table of things that applies to the whole box or table.
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Hold a yard sale twice a year. Sell your winter stuff towards the end of summer, or in the fall. Sell your spring/summer things in spring or summer time.
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Price items about 20% or 1/3 of the price, depending on the condition the item is in. Clothes and a few other things are an exception, as they are harder to sell. Generally clothes will sell for .10 cents to $3.00, of course this depends on the item. Remember, if it doesn't sell, you have to take it all back inside. So keep yourself open to offers.
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Join together with some neighbors for your yard sale if possible and split the cost of advertising it in the paper. Don't forget to post it at the grocery stores and post offices, etc. The more the merrier.
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Make sure that your yard sale doesn't fall on a holiday weekend. The best days to hold a yard sale seem to be on a Friday and Saturday. Make sure to post a rain date.
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If you get eye contact with a customer as they approach your yard sale, greet them. Make them feel welcome. After all you are in business for the day.
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Make sure that you have lots of change! Especially quarters, one and five dollar bills. Also have a friend or relative on hand to help.
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It is best to accept cash only. If someone doesn't have enough cash on them, offer to hold the item for them. It's a good idea to take down their name and number also.
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Keep your money safe by using a fanny pack or apron with pockets. This will also keep you from running back and forth to a money box.
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Have bags handy for people who purchase multiple items. Use saved grocery bags - paper and plastic (recycle) a few empty boxes would be nice too.
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It is a good idea to write down the items that you sold and for how much you sold them for. Keep a calculator hand for adding items up.
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If someone makes an offer on an item that you aren't ready to come down on, offer to take their name and number in case you don't sell it during the yard sale.
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Spread out your items neatly and group them with similar items (baby stuff all in one place, kitchen items together, etc. Some people don't like to go through piles of items to find something they would like to buy. It is easier to browse through items that are laid out nicely.
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Separate your clothes according to size. Place two piece outfits together with a safety pin. That way they won't get separated as people browse through them.
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Place coats, dresses, and nice dress clothes on hangers.
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If you have alot of clothes or books, consider offering a certain price per bag full or box full.
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Make sure that everything is in working order. Have some batteries ready to test things that require batteries, and an extension cord to test appliances, etc. readily available.
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Consider selling some beverages on the side. Sodas, coffee, etc. will bring in a little extra cash, and people may stay to browse longer.
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Place a "Not Responsible For Accidents" sign up.

YARDSALE SCAMS

Who would have thought that there are actual yardsale scam artists? With high-tech cameras in regular stores, a yardsale may seem like easy pickings to a thief and scam artists. Here are some things to watch out for when having a yardsale - also what to watch for if you are a yardsale customer.

Be wary of the pushy customer who orders you around and asks you to personally load their purchases in their vehicle. What may happen is that they will return, often when your yardsale is still in full swing, and very loudly complain that they hadn't received all their merchandise. This tactic is used to try to intimidate/embarrass the seller into giving an undeserved refund. Meanwhile the "complainer" will continue to shop at your yardsale making sure they haven't overlooked any bargains.

Distraction is a common tool that yardsale thieves use. Sometimes they may bring a small child and let the kid loose at the sale, hoping that either: 1) the seller will ooh and ahh over the child while they are busy shoplifting a few small items or that 2) that the seller will keep an eye on the child to make sure they don't bump into the table of glassware giving the scam artists opportunity to shoplift or switch price tags.

A shoplifter may try to be less obvious by just taking the actual item (like pocketing a CD but leaving the empty case), or opening a box with an item inside - pocketing the item - and then leaving the empty box on the table so it doesn't appear obvious.

A scam artist may try to "help" the seller by totaling the prices of their items they want to purchase. Probably 99% of the time, it's an honest buyer just wanting to save time and be helpful. But if something doesn't feel right, you can tell the customer a little fib and say that you need to check all the items because you are selling some items for a friend and have to keep the money straight.

Another scam is for a customer to ask the seller if they have change for a $100 bill because they want to make a purchase. They purposely show the bill and flash it. As the seller checks their cash, the customer quickly puts the bill back in their pocket but holds their hand out, hoping that the seller will be confused and give change back for the bill that was never given to them!

Sometimes an unscrupulous seller may try to cover up a defect, chip or stain with a price sticker (or tape). Then when you get the item home, you discover their sneaky practice. I heard a story recently where someone bought a honey pot with lid at a yardsale. The lid was heavily taped onto it. When the buyer got the item home and unwrapped the tape, they discovered it was a mis-matched lid that didn't fit properly. Look everything over good and don't hesitate to check under a price sticker.

Keep your money guarded 100% of the time. It's best to wear a carpenter's apron or fanny pack. When someone hands you a large bill to pay for item, leave the bill out in plain view until the change has been made. Then put the bill away. A scam artist may try to claim that they gave you a $20 bill when they actually gave you a $10.

When someone buys a large item (such as a laundry hamper), its always good to check inside of it. You can just say that you want to make sure you didn't leave anything in it. A dishonest person may have stuffed a bunch of unpaid for items inside.

When selling small valuables, such as jewelry, it's best to designate one person to watch over the table. I arrived at one yardsale after a group of scam artists had just left. The seller had placed various pieces of jewelry in individual plastic baggies and priced the baggies. What the scam artists did was switch the jewelry within the bags and paid the lower prices for the nicer jewelry. They arrived as a large group and distracted the seller asking questions about various items, the seller was too harried to realize it until after the fact.

For safety reasons, its best to have another person or persons helping you conduct your yardsale. But if you can't and have some scary looking customers, you can pretend to have someone else with you - just yell into the house "Hey Bob, bring me a soda when you get a chance". It's wise to have a cordless phone or cell phone on you (in your carpenter's apron) at all times. But don't set it down, because someone will want to buy it!

Ways to Ruin Your Garage or Tag Sale

Although you won't make big money selling your collectibles at a garage sale, at least you'll sell them. Unless of course, you see yourself in this list of things NOT to do in a garage sale.

1. Book Prices for Everything

Go through the price and value guides and price your stuff accordingly. After all if it has a $100. price in a book, that's all you'll settle for.

Wrong strategy! Book values are not garage sale prices and no one coming to a sale will pay those prices. If your item is in excellent condition and worth more than a few dollars, try selling it online. But still don't expect book values.

2. No Prices on Anything

Size up the customers as they come in and charge them what you think they can afford to pay or what you feel like charging at the time.

Another terrible strategy. If nothing is marked, I usually just turn around and leave. It has to be something pretty darn special for me to bother asking the price.

3. Throw Everything in a Few Big Boxes

Don't bother setting up tables or clothing racks, instead just throw everything in a box and let folks have a treasure hunt trying to find stuff. Even better, mix it up with toys, books and clothes all in the same boxes.

If you're short on tables or racks, at least group stuff together. Books in one box, kids clothing in another and so on.

4. Don't Waste Time Cleaning or Washing

It's only a garage sale, so why bother cleaning and washing everything. People are looking for a bargain, so they can buy as-is. If there are a few bugs, blow them off the figurine.

5. No Packing Materials

By the time you need packing materials or sacks, the money has already been made. So does it matter if you've run out of bags or never had any to begin with? People will just have to juggle stuff out the door.

Instead a month or so before the sale, start saving those plastic bags from the grocery stores.

6. Signs / Directions

Don't you love a scavenger hunt? That's what it is when an address on the sign is too small to read from a car, written with a pen instead of a marker or signs are set-up so many blocks away from the garage sale that no one knows where it actually is.

If you want shoppers to find your sale, BIG BOLD LETTERS on a simple sign work best.

7. Read a Book, Watch TV or Talk on the Phone

Obviously you have better things to do than talking to the customers and reading a book or talking on the phone lets them know that right off the bat.

Rude? You bet it is and there are many sellers who apparently don't even feel like they have to say hello or welcome.

8. Missing a Few Pieces?

You're not sure if the puzzle is missing a few pieces or the game isn't all there, you'll still ask full price for the item. It's the same thing with a few chips or re-glued piece of ceramics, let the buyer beware and make what you can on the deal.

Alright, I might not put together a 1000 piece puzzle to make sure it's all there, but if there is any chance that a few pieces might be missing, I'll let the buyer know or just not even bother selling it.

9. Mark the Price Directly on the Item

Use a Sharpie marker and write directly on the stuff for sale. It's not your problem if they can never remove the mark. Another strategy is using tape on cold-painted pieces, when the tape is removed, so is the finish.

10. No Permit

You might think you'll save a few dollars by not getting a permit from the city, but not if you wind up getting fined when the inspectors stop by.

Here in the Land of Opportunity, we're on the brink of Garage Sale Season. Figuring out what to part with is easy. You're tired of it. It hasn't fit in two years, and never will. The color is wrong; the style is wrong; it's just not you.

With the right spin, trash miraculously transforms into prime merchandise. Flame your entrepreneurial spirit with these tips for your upcoming garage sale.

PRESENTATION REALLY IS EVERYTHING. Appear disorganized and dirty, and buyers will drive right by.

Instead, mow the grass and sweep the sidewalk. Advertise in the local paper and, if your community allows it, post bright signs at nearby major intersections, leading buyers to your door with arrows. Tie balloons to your banister. Move large, eye-catching items like furniture out on the driveway. Open all garage doors; turn on all lights. Make everything easy to see.

Smile at visitors, but don't hover. Stand at their shoulder, and you'll lose sales. Instead, sit at a table on the driveway, with pop and cookies.

Divide your garage and driveway into clearly defined zones, like baby clothes, household items, children's toys, bedding and linens, etc.

* Thumbtack sheets to hang from the ceiling, then stash "not- for-sale" items behind the curtain.

* Don't lump 50 stuffed animals together, hoping someone will take time to sort through them. Instead, place an elf next to a sparkly Christmas dress. Position a cowboy peeking over a pair of boots. Have a huge teddy bear "read" one of a series of books piled beside him.

* Know your customer. Used prom dresses are a hard sale to adults, but take those same chiffons and hawk them in the toy section under "Dress-up Clothes" and a mini-ballet dancer or princess will clean you out.

* Play jazz or easy listening music, giving your sale ambiance. Instead of stacking pictures on a table, display them in appropriate areas: a still-life by some dishes, an angel positioned over a crib.

* If something's dated, come up with a new way to enjoy it. For instance, don't display an old Selectric with your office supplies. Roll in a piece of glow-orange paper, set the typewriter with the kids' stuff, and plug it in. Watch a preschooler fall in love with its tap-tap-tap.

* Put play cars, trucks and other "try before you buy" toys on a sturdy area rug. While Mom shops, Junior will bond with something, then take it home.

* Don't pack clothes tightly on rods; separate them by size and type. Hang dresses; put shorts and tops in clearly marked boxes or baskets: "Boys 2T-4T;" "Girls 10-12." Display frilly baby outfits on ladder rungs.

PLAYING GARAGE SALE LIMBO: How low will they go? That's the question on shoppers' minds as they spring from cars. Don't keep them in suspense; post prices prominently. Color-coded dots work well; stick one on every item and let shoppers check a chart for prices: yellow-25, blue-50, red-75, etc.

* Garage-salers are looking for deals. Don't demoralize them with $10 toddler dresses. Know what similar items are selling for at other sales, then charge SLIGHTLY higher prices. When merchandise is clean and attractively displayed, shoppers are willing to pay more. (But not ten times more.)

* The first person up your driveway will try to negotiate, but don't drop prices before noon. If someone makes an offer, write down their phone number and call them later if the item doesn't sell.

* Build in perceived value. If books are 50 cents, offer "3 for a dollar". Toss in free sheets when you sell a bed.

* Start the day with plenty of change so the first shopper doesn't clean you out, using a $20 to pay for a 75-cent purchase. Keep money in a fanny pack, and immediately take large bills in the house for safekeeping.

Garage-saling is a combination of fun and sport. Tailor your sale to please your customers, and stuff will fly off your shelves.

1) On those large colorful signs that you post around town for your sale, be sure to list some of the items at your sale: tools, baby items, clothing, housewares, collectibles, etc. (And please don't forget to take your signs down after the sale is through!)

2) Stock up on bags from the grocery store so you can offer to bag up purchases for those customers with armloads of small items.

3) Another quick tip: Make people comfortable. Since I've worked for many years in people-oriented jobs, this practically comes as second nature to me, but I've been to so many garage sales where the people holding the sale just sat there and glared at you as you shopped. I wanted people to be comfortable and feel welcome at my sale. They weren't an inconvenience to me ... they were actually the entire reason I was sitting out in my garage all weekend!

4) Say "Good morning" or "Hi" to everyone who comes to your sale. We were experiencing a heat wave the week of our sale, so we chatted a lot about the weather. This is definitely the time to make idle small talk ... don't get personal ... just greet them, SMILE (!!), make a comment about the weather (or some other innocent remark), and maybe ask them if there's anything specific they're looking for. If someone comes and goes without buying anything, still say as nicely as possible (with a smile, of course), "Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!" Not only is it a nice thing to do, but other customers will overhear you and it'll make them more comfortable, too.

5) Consider providing coffee if it's a cold day (offer it free by "donation only"), or ice cold lemonade if it's warm weather. Your kids can man the refreshment table; my daughter made some extra money for a trip to Mexico she was planning with the church youth group.

6) I personally think it's better to price things a little bit on the high side, rather than too low. I'm certainly not talking about setting prices comparable to the local antique stores, but you don't have to price things for ten cents, either. If someone really wants an item that they feel is over-priced, they'll make an offer. This gives you room to come down a bit with your price. But lots of people won't haggle over prices -- they'll just quite happily pay whatever you ask for things (within reason, of course).

7) Since I planned on doing a garage sale again in the future, I didn't come down on my prices too much since everything that didn't sell the first time around will find its way into my next sale.

8) If your goal is to clear out as much stuff as possible (and make a few pennies on the side), offer some sort of great deal on the afternoon of the last day such as everything a customer can stuff into a shopping bag for $1, or half price on all items after noon on Saturday, or freebies in the late afternoon of the final day of your sale. I hope these tips give you some motivation to try holding a garage sale this year. It's definitely a great way to make a few extra pennies, and clear out clutter at the same time!

Debi Taylor-Hough (freelance writer and mother of three) is the editor of the Bright-Kids and Simple Times e-newsletters. She's also the author of "A Simple Choice: A Practical Guide to Saving Your Time, Money and Sanity," "Frugal Living For Dummies(r)" and "Frozen Assets: How to Cook for a Day and Eat for a Month." Visit Debi online at:

This article was excerpted adapted in part from Debi's book, "A Simple Choice: A Practical Guide for Saving Your Time, Money & Sanity."

Yard sales pop up in the spring and summer like mushrooms, but there is a knack to having a successful one. The reasons you may want to have a yard sale are numerous. Despite the hard work involved in getting the sale together, it is a chance to have fun, meet your neighbors, make money, lose money, get skunked, recycle, and clean out the clutter that has been accumulating.

The first order of business is to get a pad of paper and a pen and start going through the rooms in your house. What room has the most junk? Is it the kitchen, bedroom, garage? Check every corner of the closet, the shelves, etc. and evaluate everything honestly. Don't get overly sentimental. If you haven't used the thing in 10 years, why keep it around collecting dust? When listing your "inventory," make notes like "Must go," "Takes up too much room," or "Can't part with it." This will help you organize what items will go in the yard sale. The greater assortment of goods, the larger your profit will be.

How your organize your merchandise is important. Items that are heaped together on a table tend to repell customers. You should measure the width and length of your table space and take a sheet of paper and draw a plan of how you are going to lay your stuff out. Organizing things by price is a good idea. You could have a 50-cent section that will be attractive to kids, a dollar section, two-dollar section, etc.

How to price items is an essential yard sale art. Generally, there shouldn't too many items over $10. The junk you really want to move should be under $2, depending on the item. Expensive items such as antiques, big household appliances, etc. would be better off advertised in a newspaper or taken to a second hand store.

If you have electronics like televisions, radios, record players and tape recorders, the yard sale price should be one third of the original sale price. Paperback books should sell at a quarter, and hardbacks can go at $1. Records such as 45s will go for a quarter, cassettes at $1, and CDs at $3. Clothing can be 50 cents up to $5 and knickknacks like vases, ashtrays, and novelties can fetch $2 or less. Don't be insulted if the customers dicker about the price. It is part of yard sale culture. People enjoy trying to bargain with the proprietor.

Advertising your yard sale is essential if you want to pull in the customers. An ad in the local paper with an attractive hook does the trick. For example, you could claim that your yard sale is a "bargain hunters paradise" or mention some attractive or unusual items that you have for sale. Be creative in your ad. But don't say things like "Early birds will be shot on sight!" Signs with easy to see printing and arrows are good. You could even get your kids to wear placards on them and go around the neighborhood advertising your sale.

At the yard sale, you will want to have lots of change in your moneybox. A selection of coins, lower denomination bills, etc. will do. If it's a big sale, you might need up to $50 on hand to make change. Wearing a wrap around purse with a zipper is a good idea, since your moneybox could get pinched. If a customer offers you a check, you have to make a quick decision about whether or not you are going to take it. If you do take the check, you should have the customer's driver's license on the back of the check. Otherwise, you could accept a deposit of money and hold the item for a time limit of three hours.

If you have left over items after the yard sale and you don't want them back to clutter up your life again, arrange to have the Salvation Army truck to come after your sale. You can also give to local centers for the homeless, Goodwill, etc. Leftover books can be donated to hospitals, nursing homes, women's shelters, or the public library. If you have some high priced things left, you can put advertisements for them on bulletin boards or in the penny saver papers. To get rid of some of the excess stuff, you can also leave a box at the end of your driveway saying "Help Yourself." Now all you have left to do put your feet up and count the profit!

Katherine Tapley-Milton lives with her husband, Dave, and four cats in Atlantic Canada. She graduated from Mount Allison University with a BA in the areas of psychology, sociology, and history and then got a two year Master of Theological Studies degree from Tyndale Seminary in Willowdale, Ontario in 1981. Katherine has been a freelance writer for the last 25 years and has been published in over 80 periodicals. In May of 2005, she graduated from the BUILT's Customer Service Representative Course, and in 2006, her autobiographical book "Mind Full of Scorpions" was published on Amazon. Her hobbies include cooking, organic gardening, writing, reading historical romances, doing crafts, and researching diets and fitness. Visit her website at <http://www3.nb.sympatico.ca/dbmilton/Kathy%20Home>

Get out a pad of paper and a pen and start going through the rooms in your house. As you go through each room, make a list of the inventory that you intend on putting in the yard sale. It'll be easier to organize your sale if you know exactly what you're putting into it.

Have a Yard Sale

Now that the weather is getting warmer, I'm starting to see the first signs of the new season. No, I'm not talking about spring. I'm talking about yard-sale season. People in my neighborhood are starting to clean out their garages and closets in preparation for spring. Soon I won't be able to drive around town on a Saturday without seeing yard sales on every street. Before you throw your old stuff away, take a minute to consider whether your trash might be someone else's treasure. If so, check out these tips for holding a yard sale of your own.

Spring cleaning fever has hit, and you know what that means: garage sale time! Don't let those boxes stacked in the corner overwhelm you.

Garage sales don't have to be a hassle.

Before you decide to display your wares in the driveway however, ask yourself why you're having the sale.

Do you just want to get rid of the clutter? If so, donating to the Salvation Army or a local church is probably best.

If your goal is to make some extra cash while finally getting a chance to meet the neighbors that you've lived next door to for five years, then maybe a garage sale is your best bet. Here are 10 simple ways to make your garage sale a hassle-free success.

ADVERTISE & THEY WILL COME
Most small community newspapers offer free garage sale notices, so take advantage of that. If possible, organize a multi-family sale and list a few of the items that will be available. If deed restrictions in your neighborhood allow it, handwritten "bandit" signs posted in the area will attract more people. Please remember to keep the neighborhood beautiful by removing the signs when your sale is over!

THE MORE, THE MERRIER
People are more likely to shop at your sale if there is a crowd gathered. This is another reason multi-family sales work so well. If you're hosting your own sale, ask friends and family to stop by and help out. Their presence will spark interest for the passers-by and their help will come in handy when the "real" crowd shows up.

CHA CHING!
Be reasonable about pricing. As proud as you and your mother are of the still-life bowl of fruit you painted in the eighth grade, no one will give you $200 for it. If you can't bear to see it sold for less, then keep it in the house.

LEAVE PENNIES IN THE PIGGY BANK
Don't give items small price amounts such as a nickel or quarter because it's too much change to deal with. Instead, group low-priced items together such as paperback books 4 for $1, or silverware 4 for $1.

LABELING
Instead of pricing each and every marble and knickknack, groups same-priced objects together and use a general price sign.

PILES AND AISLES
A table display that is too neat and organized will make people feel uncomfortable about rifling through your goods. You don't want the display to be too disorganized either. Potential customers may think it's just a pile of junk and keep driving to the next sale. Find a happy medium.
THE EARLY BIRDS
Even if your sale officially opens at 9 in the morning, make sure to at least have the higher-priced items such as appliances, baby strollers, carriers, etc,. out at around seven. That's when the professional garage sale shoppers claim their booty. You don't want to miss out.

YES, IT WORKS!
Always have at least one extension chord available for testing appliances. Veteran garage salers won't take your word that a 10-year-old vacuum works as good as the day you bought it.

SEEING IS BELIEVING
If at all possible, hang clothes on a rack or fence so they can be easily viewed from the street. Avoid crumpled piles. If you have really nice clothes (no stains or holes), take them to a consignment shop to get back a little what you paid for them.

YOUR TRASH WILL NOT BE YOUR TREASURE
If you still have leftovers near the end of the sale, put everything into a "FREE" box. Nothing goes back into the house!

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About the Author:
Deborah Shelton is the author of The Five Minute Parent: Fun & Fast Activities for You and Your Little Ones. Visit The Five Minute Parent for fun rainy-day activities, family links, and a free email newsletter filled with project ideas, guest articles, contests and so much more!

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Garage Sales Are Not For Whimps

A few years ago I learned a very valuable lesson about myself. I do
not like to host garage sales, but I love the money that comes from
getting rid of my "junk." Yep! You heard me say it, "JUNK!" By
definition junk means to me: used stuff, in good condition, that one
person no longer wants but another person has been looking for at a
good price.

I've always been an avid believer in donating my junk to a charitable
establishment that could put the money to good use. And since I had
gotten my fair use out of the objects, I saw no reason to sell them
in hopes of reclaiming some of the money I spent. It was easy,
convenient, and indirectly helped our environment. A great idea if
you ask me!

So when a friend asked me to host a multi-family garage sale with her
I very strongly said, "No thank you. It's not worth my time."

"Your husband is unemployed and you are traveling across four states
to start a new life and gain him employment. You need every bit of
cash you can muster up!" she replied.

Still I wouldn't cave! I was bound to stand firm. Then two weeks
later, as I was once again explaining how my junk was going to help a
needy family somewhere my two children turned to me and said, "Mom,
right now we're needy. Daddy needs a job and we need the money to
help us move."

"Okay, Okay," I reluctantly said. "We'll have a garage sale. But I
don't have to like it."

We scoured the house for large ticket items that we didn't want to
lug to our new home. We scoured the house for items that we "just
had to have" but never put to use. And we scoured the house for
items that we used so much we couldn't stand to look at them again.
Five car loads later we were having our very first Wisconsin garage
sale.

And you know what happened? Nothing! I priced the items, pulled up a
chair next to my junk, and people watched. Four hours later, I
hadn't sold one single thing.

That's when my friend came up to me and said, "You're scaring the
customers. Notice how I keep busy pricing and organizing? Notice how
I don't watch the customers but am available to answer questions and
take money? You need to move your chairs over there and stop staring
at them as they walk in the yard."

"I'm so not cut out for this," I thought to myself. But I did as she
requested and two hours later I sold a few big ticketed items. After
eight hours we still had lots of stuff left so we decided to host
another garage sale the following week. Except this time, we would
hold it on Wisconsin's busiest garage sale day—Thursday.

We put up signs at every bulletin board in town, we posted signs on
surrounding street corners, and we placed an ad in the local paper.
We even bribed the kids. We would give them a $5 commission on each
big ticket item sold at ticketed price!

You know what happened? Eight hours later we sold all our big
ticketed items and donated the small ticketed items to charity. When
I counted the money, I ecstatically said to my husband, "We made $160
today!" To which he replied, "So what's that? Less than 1/8 of what
we paid for the stuff?" I just had to chuckle because I knew he was
right.

About The Author:
Alyice Edrich is the award winning editor of The Dabbling Mum®. Stop
by for your chance to win free videos and books
(http://thedabblingmum.com) or to download three free e-books
(http://thedabblingmumpress.com).

Garage Sale Shopping -A Day in the Life of a "Saler"

· Remember, the early bird gets the best bargains, but swinging back by late in a sale may get you a better discount on an item that was priced way too high to begin with.

· To get the most bang for your buck time-wise, consider frequenting neighborhood garage sales where a number of homes are having sales at the same time. This way, you can park at the end of a block and walk from house to house.

· When you see something you even THINK you might want, pick it up and hold it. You can always put it back if you change your mind.

· Carry books on favorite collectibles in your car. If you need to look something up, ask the sale's proprietor to hold the item while you "go get your wallet." If the item is not what you thought it was, you can always tell the seller you've changed your mind.

No one wants to go half price on an item during the first few hours of a sale. Anger the seller and you may end up with no discount at all.

Many antique hounds believe you can't find anything worthwhile at garage sales anymore. And I'll admit it, I've fallen into that rut a time or two myself. But just when I think I'll never find another old or collectible item at a garage sale, something pops up to change my mind.

Yes, I did have good luck at a series of garage sales taking place in a neighborhood that, quite frankly, didn't hold much potential for collectibles as far as I was concerned. The first sale I stopped at proved me wrong with a box of antique linens, and a nice vintage snakeskin purse. I didn't buy either, because they were priced a little high, but I began to hope for more.

The next street, through a series of sales, offered a porcelain souvenir shoe from the '40s, a multi-colored set of '50s mixing bowls and a snakeskin bag from the '70s. This time I walked away with the purse for $1. My mother politely yelled at me later for not getting the mixing bowls for her too. Live and learn.

By this time, I was gaining momentum. I set out for my next destination: a nice corner lot house with a garage brimming with “stuff.” Sure enough, the proprietor was offering several older kitchen items including a shiny aluminum two-piece cake carrier with a black plastic handle in excellent condition.

I knew this carrier was from the '50s because my mom had one when I was growing up. I've also seen Martha Stewart flaunting similar styles on television in the past, so it was mine for $3. I would have paid in the range of $20-30 to purchase one like it in a local antique mall. I was very pleased with my find.

At the same sale, another shopper just beat me to a nice glass refrigerator dish. I also left behind some really pretty pieces of vintage fabric. Sometimes you just have to know when to say no.

I was about to feel as if I'd used up all my luck for the day, but decided to move on to another block. Good thing I did, because my favorite finds were waiting ahead.

I wandered up a steep driveway and my heart skipped a beat when I saw a 1920s beaded handbag lying on a table. Unfortunately, I realized that it was in pretty bad shape after giving it the once over. I still considered purchasing it for $1, but realized, like I did with the old fabric a little while earlier, that it was a repair project I'd probably never get around to completing.

I made my way next door and things looked pretty picked over. I was about to turn and go when I spotted some Christmas decorations in the back of the garage. I moved in to take a closer look and noticed some glassware, one of my weaknesses, on a table nearby.

There, waiting just for me, was a cute set of six small Fostoria American oyster cocktail goblets, and another set of eight tulip shaped fountain glasses with the Jeanette Glass Company mark on the base. I meekly asked how much the owner wanted for both sets, secretly thinking they were still there because the price was antique shop high.

Much to my surprise, she said $2 a set! These normally sell for about $5-15 per piece. Secretly pleased, I bought the set of fountain glasses to serve homemade ice cream in during the summer months and the Fostoria set to sell.

You'd think that would be about all I'd come up with for the morning, but I hit another sale or two and found a 1960s ceramic Santa Claus planter for $1.50. He looks so much like a bank my mom has had for years, I couldn't resist taking him home. There was also an older couple offering several nice Fenton Silvercrest baskets and vases at prices reasonable enough for a collector, but I decided to leave those behind for someone else.

So, after spending a couple of fun hours browsing secondhand wares and spending less than $10, I came home feeling pretty good about my finds.

Will this happen again the next time I venture out to a neighborhood garage sale? One can only hope!

Garage Sale Shopping

A Day in the Life of a "Saler"

Whether I'm looking for a trash to treasure makeover project or something to sell so I can keep on shopping, persistence pays off. Read about a few of my own garage sale finds and then check out some useful tips for garage sale shopping below.

Shopping a series of sales just miles from my home one Saturday morning, I found a brand new designer snakeskin purse from the ‘70s for $1 and a shiny 1950s aluminum two-piece cake carrier with a black plastic handle in excellent condition for $3. Those both went home with me.

Another garage sale just blocks away yielded a set of six small Fostoria American oyster cocktail goblets, and another set of eight tulip shaped fountain glasses with the Jeanette Glass Company mark on the base for just $2 per set. These normally sell for about $5-15 per piece, so they were excellent finds.

Last but not least, I found a really cute 1960s ceramic Santa Claus planter for $1.50. After spending a couple of fun hours browsing secondhand wares and spending less than $10, I came home feeling really good about the way I spent my morning.

- Remember, the early bird gets the best bargains, but swinging back by late in a sale may get you a better discount on an item that was priced way too high to begin with.

- To make the most of your shopping time, consider frequenting neighborhood garage sales where a number of homes are having sales at the same time. This way, you can park at the end of a block and walk from house to house.

- When you see something you even THINK you might want, pick it up and hold it. You can always put it back if you change your mind.

- Carry books on your favorite collectibles in your car. If you need to look something up, ask the sale's proprietor to hold the item while you "go get your wallet." If the item is not what you thought it was, you can always tell the seller you've changed your mind.

- Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount, but be realistic. No one wants to go half price on an item during the first few hours of a sale. Anger the seller and you may end up with no discount at all.

Learn How to Bargain and Negotiate at Flea Markets

Shopping at flea markets is a great way to find hidden treasures at fantastic prices. But before you buy that mission oak chair, ornate iron bed or fancy cameo you’ve been eyeing, save money by learning how to bargain or haggle like the pros.

Many people feel uncomfortable haggling or bargaining. It takes time and experience to feel comfortable negotiating. If you’re serious about saving your hard-earned cash, practice your haggling technique before you head to the show. To get the best deal you can -- practice!

In order to negotiate a fair price, you need to know what the piece is worth. Let’s say you find a set of Fiesta dishes that are priced at $150 and you know the set is only worth $100. If you offer $20, you will probably insult the vendor and may be asked to leave. Do your homework before you head out the door.

Always be respectful, polite and fair. If you are rude or obnoxious to a vendor and offer a ridiculously low price, chances are you won’t get the piece and may get thrown out of the booth. This is a business for many vendors. Being kind and courteous is not only the right thing to do, it could also save you money.

Since many flea market items are in “well-loved” condition, carefully inspect the merchandise prior to purchase. If the piece you are eyeing has a chip, ding or is missing hardware, nicely point it out to the dealer. The dealer may offer a bargain you can’t refuse!

If you think the asking price is reasonable or just don’t feel comfortable bargaining, you aren’t required to haggle. But don’t be afraid to bargain, many vendors expect it. Offering a ridiculous price is insulting to vendors. Some items may have sentimental value and negotiating is not an option.

Checks are a hassle for vendors and many prefer cash. If you’re bursting to buy, offer a low price and add “I’ll pay you cash right now.” To make the deal extra sweet, actually show the dealer the money and have the cash in your hand.

Buyers want to save money and sellers want to make money. Meet somewhere in the middle and you’ll both be pleased. If it is something you have been searching for and it’s a hard-to-find piece, bargaining over a few bucks may not be your best choice. If it is a fair price, consider it; if it is too high, bargain.

Although you are ecstatic about finding that hard-to-find piece, don’t show your enthusiasm to the vendor. Let the vendor know you are serious about the item, but not too serious. If you can’t agree on a price, walk away. You can always come back later, but the piece may be gone.

Whether you are the first to arrive or the last to leave, timing at flea markets is crucial. Although the selection is better when the event opens, bargaining with a vendor in the first few minutes of the flea market probably won’t get you much of a deal since there are many hours left to make that perfect sale. The end of the day may be your perfect time to go for the best bargain since many vendors aren't looking forward to repacking their goods. By the end of the day, the merchandise has been picked over and the pickings may be slim.

Why You Should Considering Having a Yard Sale

How to Plan a Successful Yard Sale

Begin By Planning What to Sell

Sell New Items Too

Spread the Word

Get Everything Ready

How to Get the Biggest Bargains at Flea Markets

How to Make Money at Garage Sales without Lifting a Finger

Thrifty Tips from the Yardsale Queen

Budget Decorator's Guide to Yard and Garage Sales

Decor For Less

Turn Junk Into Cash

Tips for Garage Sale Success

Power in Numbers

Pricing Your Items

People Love BOGO Sales

Clean and Fix It

Advertise

Remember the Important Points

Signage Tips

Merchandising Your Items

Ideas for Garage Sale Success

The Day of Your Garage Sale

Clean Up

YARDSALE SCAMS

Ways to Ruin Your Garage or Tag Sale

1. Book Prices for Everything

2. No Prices on Anything

3. Throw Everything in a Few Big Boxes

4. Don't Waste Time Cleaning or Washing

5. No Packing Materials

6. Signs / Directions

7. Read a Book, Watch TV or Talk on the Phone

8. Missing a Few Pieces?

9. Mark the Price Directly on the Item

10. No Permit

Garage Sale Shopping -A Day in the Life of a "Saler"

Garage Sale Shopping

A Day in the Life of a "Saler"

Learn How to Bargain and Negotiate at Flea Markets

How to Plan a Successful Yard Sale

window.google_render_ad(); Begin By Planning What to Sell

Sell New Items Too

Spread the Word

Get Everything Ready

h1 = document.getElementById("title").getElementsByTagName("h1")[0];h1.innerHTML = widont(h1.innerHTML); Decor For Less

Tips for Garage Sale Success

Power in Numbers

Pricing Your Items

People Love BOGO Sales

Clean and Fix It

Advertise

Remember the Important Points

Signage Tips

Merchandising Your Items

Ideas for Garage Sale Success

The Day of Your Garage Sale

Clean Up

1. Book Prices for Everything

2. No Prices on Anything

3. Throw Everything in a Few Big Boxes

4. Don't Waste Time Cleaning or Washing

5. No Packing Materials

6. Signs / Directions

7. Read a Book, Watch TV or Talk on the Phone

8. Missing a Few Pieces?

9. Mark the Price Directly on the Item

10. No Permit

h1 = document.getElementById("title").getElementsByTagName("h1")[0];h1.innerHTML = widont(h1.innerHTML); A Day in the Life of a "Saler"

Begin By Planning What to Sell

Decor For Less

A Day in the Life of a "Saler"