Garage Sale Season

Oh how I love going to garage sales...the thrill of the hunt just really gets me going. Actually, I enjoy them and when I find something it is even better. You have to have some sort of plan when you go, or I think you will fall apart. When you talk with other fellow garage sale fanatics, they all have their own game plan, so you have to decide what works best for you and you alone. If you can find someone that has the same philosophies about garage saling then you can go together, but other than that it is a single person sport. What I found to work for me was:

1. Make a list of items you need, then shop for them, other things you find along the way are just bonuses.
2. Go Friday and early. You will have the best bet of finding what you need, although not always the best deal, because most sellers at this point are still thinking they are going to make way more than they should.
3. Do drive buys. If you are looking for a specific item and cannot see it from a slow rolling car, then it most likely isn't there and you can go on to the next spot.
4. Don't waste time at sales, where there is nothing..the items from your list are being bought at a different garage sale by someone else.
5. Bargin with the people, they price the items, but most are willing to go down.
6. Start a garage sale coin bag in September and by April, you should have enough money for everything on your list for the summer.

So this year, on my list was a fan, tent, and cooler. My house was hot and I thought going camping would be fun. I priced fans and they were running about $2-$5. I didn't want to spend that much, but then it got hot and I couldn't find one under $12, so when by chance on an early Friday morning I found one for $5, I snatched it up. My cooler was also found at and early Friday morning sale for $8, I think she would have taken $5 at around lunch time Friday, but I wasn't going to chance um, so I bought it on the condition that it fit into my trunk. The last purchase, was just made yesterday on a random stop (which I don't do much of.) There was 4 houses having a sale. I had been to the other three and then started down the long driveway for the 4th. The sale looked like two people sitting in their driveway selling ties. I thought of turning around, but they had seen me and there was no one else coming down or going up. I was stuck going and looking. When I got down there, I noticed they had a couple more things in their garage, but according to the lady, they had sold a whole bunch of stuff, where they had put it I couldn't tell. So I politely walk around the sale, seeing quilts for $40, mugs for $3. As I am walking around, I am thinking what an overpriced garage sale and then I see it. Sitting off by itself the tent I had been hoping for and priced at a reasonable $12. I thought, oh I think I will offer $10. I then see the most gorgeous boat that will fit perfect in my living room with my beach theme, I ask how much it is and they say it isn't for sale. I am crushed, but still excited about the tent. Then the man says, "I was just down at Fred Meyer yesterday and saw this tent for $24, so you are getting it for half off." I thought to myself, I guess he won't take $10 for it and bought it for $12 anyway.

So my list is complete, which I guess that means I am done shopping for this season. I hope your garage sale season was as fruitful as mine. Editors note: I did buy a whole bunch of other stuff, but these were my big purchase items.