How To Score at Garage Sales

As I am sure you already know, one of my favorite summer activities is treasure hunting at garage sales.  If you would have told me 20 years ago that I would be addicted to finding little signs on the road and "banging a u-ey " as my grandma would say, I would think you were crazy!  I used to despise going to sales with my family.  My mom and grandma's were the queens of picking up stuff at garage sales, I was always so embarrassed and would  sit in the car and sometimes even slide down the seat to hide my face when my mom would pull up to a nice house.  I just didn't "get it".  I do now!  I have had a blast furnishing our home with someone else's rejects.  I am sure it helps that my style is somewhat shabby to begin with!  I have really found some unique things this season. I thought I would share a few of my favorite treasures that I got for a steal!  I have encouraged more than one friend to pull over next time they see a sign too and I love getting calls from them squealing in delight with their new found treasures.  It is addicting I am telling you!  I have a few tips to share too.  I find the best sales in our area are on Thursdays, not sure why but it seems to be the best day, with the best selections and a greater number of sales.  I also have taken advantage of technology in my search, I go online to the newspaper's websites and look up the classified ads for garage sales.  Craigslist is also a great resource for finding sales as well, some of them even have pictures of what will be at their sale.  I punch addresses into my GPS and away I go, it saves me lots of gas and frustration when I know right where I need to go.  I usually print off the list from the web and carry it with me and highlight the sales that I want to for sure visit.  I also scope out the big picture when I walk up to a sale, sometimes we are so focused on what is in front of us that we miss the good stuff and someone else walks away with the treasure.  I also have a "wish list" in my mind of things that I am looking for, you would be amazed at how lucky I get at finding exactly what I am looking for, usually in perfectly new condition, for a fraction of the price. 

Something that I hear all the time is that people feel uncomfortable if they don't buy anything.  I used to feel that way but not any more.  If you know me, you know that I am pretty friendly, I always say "hello" when I walk up, sometimes I make some small talk about how they got a "great day for their sale (good weather)" and if I don't find anything that I like/need I will say "thank you " and walk away.  They don't expect you to buy anything, they are hoping that you will but they understand if you don't, remember this is stuff that they no longer want, they don't have a place for it, you don't have to take their junk off their hands.  Only if you want to!!!  Believe me, there are many times that I am skipping away thinking to myself "who would get rid of something so awesome? This is my lucky day!"  And I make sure to tell them how happy I am with my purchase if I really love it, it makes them feel good that their things are going to a good home and will be loved.  Many times I get a history about the piece too, I love that, I like my things to have a "past".  And last but not least, probably my favorite tip of all, don't be afraid to go off the beaten path.  I have found some of my best treasures at homes that you would not expect.  I tend to like the older homes as opposed to the newer gorgeous subdivisions.  At least for what I am looking for.  And the prices seem to be much better.  I convinced my friend Sherry to do this the other day and she called me all excited and said "you were right!" I don't know why but it seems to be my theory.  Oh, I almost forgot one last piece of advice, the early bird gets the worm.  So true. 

Here are a few examples of my summer scores from this season! 

Cool antique hand form 50 cents

Just like new pro steamer for $25, I have wanted one forever!  Retails for $180

Three Vera Bradley bags, $5 a piece, including matching wallets!  I threw in Dayton's best friend this summer just to show you that things aren't always so glamorous around here, we have nicknamed it Walker Texas Ranger.

I have wanted some rain boots for so long, these were almost brand new for 50 cents, Sperry boots retail for about $60.  Can't wait to wear these in my garden!

The huge shell was $2, the basket was 50 cents and the scoops for my collection were all under 50 cents. 

Loved this mirror for $4!

Another Vera purse, brand new all silk! 

I filled this with sand from our Florida trip!

Can't wait to make a gorgeous fruit salad in this compote!

I love picking up glass pieces, they are so expensive in the stores, and usually only a dollar at sales.  The coral and candle sticks came from a sale too!  The large cloche was brand new Southern Living at Home, I got to the sale late and it was still there!  It was only $2! 

And just because it is worthy of two shout outs, my gorgeous stash of Tiffany silver for $3! 

My next post I will be sharing with you a gorgeous find for $5!  So go out and have fun!  And I will tell you, that in a few weeks I will be having my own sale, I love to get rid of things that we are no longer using, I  despise clutter and love giving my things a new home as well!  So if you are in the area, stop by!