Yard Sale Savvy (or what you need to know to survive one)

Cynthia Lopinto Feature Article Leave a comment 2,163 Views

By DENISE DENEEN COLLETTE (Garage Sale Nut) Proudly hunting for 20 years and counting

Yard sales, Garage sales, Rummage sales, Tag sales …. you know what we are talking about here. It is selling something you don’t really want or need OR buying something really cheaper than retail that you have been looking for. Buyer, seller or tag-a-long friend, here are some tips to make the experience stress–free and worthwhile.

Selling Basics

There are two types of Yard Sellers.

Type A– wants to get rid of everything and does not/cannot stack it back in the house.

Type B– Really wants to sell stuff, but can’t seem to let go of it, refuses to accept a reasonable counter offer and they end up stacking it back in the house.

Which type of sale are you having? Be honest!

SO you are going ahead with this idea? Let’s chat!

Plan ahead, have change for fifty dollars (ones/fives)
Strap a fanny pack to you and keep the money on you, empty it regularly in the house.
Have a friend(s) come over to help out.
Lock your front door during the sale.
Expensive clothes should be Zip-tied to hangers to discourage theft.
Keep jewelry and collectables on a “manned” table.
Collect plastic grocery bags ahead of time.
Notify the neighbors
Put out legible arrow signs at major intersections near your home and on the main street of your sale.
Put a “start & end” time of your signs.
Keep cool drinks for you outside nearby.
Always let someone counter offer you if they balk at a sale.
Do not put up with rude, demanding folks, ask them to leave.
Watch out for groups coming at you from all directions at once. They could have thievery in mind.
Keep your cell phone on you.

Shoppers/Buyers/Tag-a-long Friends

Rules

Be sensible, wear comfortable shoes, bring a small cooler of water and snacks to keep in the car. Do NOT bring small children if you can avoid it.
Plan ahead, check the local paper, Craig’s List for your town or any local weekly paper that runs ads. Key words: garage sale, church sale, rummage sale, moving sale… Print a list of sales with addresses.
Gas up and get cash the night BEFORE (Don’t bring a handful of twenties).
Never, ever, ever PARK and block a neighbors drive way that is NOT participating in the sale. NOT EVER!
Have patience in a community sale, lots of cars, people not paying attention…
DO NOT “scope.” Definition of scoping -”to drive by slowly, looking intently at what is for sale but not wanting to stop and get out to actually look at the tables, etc…” This is very rude and creates traffic back up.
If you buy a cabinet, dresser or dining set, AND you are coming back to get it, pay half on the spot. TAKE WITH YOU a chair, a drawer or shelf from the item. This prevents the item being sold in your absence for more money.
Inspect lights, electricals, power tools, appliances. It is perfectly ok to ask if you can plug it in. ALSO it is ok to ask, “Is there anything wrong with it? Is anything missing?” Honest folks will tell you the truth. Be aware of , “Well, I don’t really know, it isn’t mine OR it worked the last time I plugged it in.” Both are common answers. You just need to remember that this is a yard sale. Buyer be aware and alert.
Remember it is perfectly acceptable to ask, “Why are you selling it?”
Check boxed items, CD cases and DVDs to be sure all of it is there. Better to be safe than sorry. A bargain is not a bargain if you end up ordering parts online with shipping costs.
Lock your car when you leave it.
Ask questions, greet a homeowner when you step onto their property.
Do NOT ask to use their toilet. Asking directions to a gas station, club house or ATM is fine.

*******Remember to have fun, drink plenty of fluids and watch your wallet.

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Cynthia Lopinto

Cyn LoPinto, M.A. is a gerontologist focusing on significant issues affecting older adults and their families. Her areas of interest include lifestyle enrichment, family dynamics, and caregiver support. Cyn has worked in both the recreational and healthcare industries.