Bargaining Bliss

September 18, 2012

By Emily Canterna

 

Think about that funky vintage necklace you’ve been dying to have; that one that you can’t seem to find in any store or boutique. What if you could just go down the street and pick it up for a buck? That’s right, one dollar. Well, there is a way to find it without driving any far distance or searching online. It’s my best kept secret: garage sailing!

My tricks-of-the-trade have come from years of experience garage sailing with my mother who does not take her treasure hunting lightly. Here are a few tips for beginners and connoisseurs alike:  

1.       Study the garage: You can tell a lot about a person’s things from the places where they keep these things. If the garage is dirty and cluttered, there is a good chance that the items at the sale have been hiding in the mess for quite a while.

 

2.       Get to know the seller: Find out If the person who is having the garage sale once worked for a makeup company, or is a collector of designer bags. This can indicate the quality of items as well as the value of these items to the seller.

 

3.       Be prepared to walk away: Garage sailing is all about walking away with the confidence that you got a deal. If you feel like you could find that scrapbooking set for a dollar less at another garage sale, you’re probably right! Have a set amount of money that you are willing to spend and stick to it. You will be more likely to buy something at a lower price if the seller knows you only have three dollars to give them instead of the five that they are asking.

Most importantly, garage sales should be a fun and light-hearted experience! Your own neighborhood could hide a special treat among other fun gadgets and toys. Garage sellers feel pride in the cleaning of their closets and passing their once treasured items onto to someone who will appreciate them. Reminiscing with your neighbors on their used things often makes the story behind the bin full of Barry Manilow albums or the antique typewriter better than the actual purchase.

So scoop out that change from your pocket and explore the neighborhood! What will you find?