How to Shop at Yard Sales and Similar Shopping Experiences

At yard sales and similar shopping experiences, there are tips and tricks when shopping. With these few suggestions, you can be an awesome thrifty shopper just like Abby girl.

To make or not to make a trip plan for yard sales… that is thy question-

Option one is to fly by the seat of your pants. Pick an area and start searching for signs. It takes some skill as you don’t want to crash the vehicle looking for yard sales. Having a co-pilot does help. Abby girl is 4.5 and spot a yard sale sign from a mile away.

Option number two is to have a plan. Go on Facebook, your local newspaper, Craigslist, etc and look for posts. Copy the ones that seem appealing to a note APP such as Google Keep and make a plan. You don’t have the element of surprise as much. However, it’s a more focused approach. Besides, if a sign pops up for a sale, not on the list, you can always revert to option one and take a detour.

Yard Sale Bargains Video

Be Calm and find your Zen at the Sales

If you go into the sales like a crazed chipmunk who can’t find his nuts, then you won’t have a clear head when you shop. This leads to signs of stress and anxiety. You can become overwhelmed and it might lead to impulse buying. Do you really need that iconic picture of the dogs playing cards or a sign that says something such as “bless this mess?”

Impulse Buying-

It is not a good thing. It might lead you to thirty minutes of fame on the show Hoarders. Actually, probably not, but it will leave you broke before you start and left with a bunch of ridiculous purchases. One person’s crap will truly become another person’s crap not treasure. So breathe and don’t impulse buy. You need to spread out your money.

Money

Bring that cash. Singles are good too. People hosting yard sales like small bills. It can be a real annoyance and might not be able to be honored at the sale if you ask to break even a twenty for a two-dollar item. You will end up leaving without Aunt Myrtle’s lamp. Unless you are at a flea market, a local sale most likely will not take credit cards.

Speaking of Money. Look how much Abby Girl Hauled at a Neighborhood Wide Yard Sale!

Types of sales-

• Yard sales- stuff being sold in peoples yards

• Garage Sales-pretty much the same thing and just stems from a sale out of someone’s garage.

• Community Yard Sale- Either held in a community room, at one person’s house with multiple houses selling or throughout the community

• Neighborhood Yard Sale- This one is most often spread out throughout a whole neighborhood and it can be overwhelming. Be prepared to spend hours shopping. Sometimes you can park and walk and other times, you will be driving around.

• Estate Sale- This usually means someone has passed away. The most common place to find vintage and antique items.

• Moving Sale- Someone is moving and it all most likely, has to go.

• Rummage Sales- Rummage sales are often held at churches and have items from a bunch of people and often a great place to find things like household items and clothes at a bargain price. Items are sorted into areas by type. Usually, there are some good baked goods too. Sometimes, there are additional vendors.

• Flea Market- place where fleas are sold. Just kidding. Multiple vendors selling a variety of items. There might even be food items.

• White Elephant Sale- used items for sale that often are a fundraiser for a cause

• Swap meet- Another word for flea market

• Free Sale-Everything is free. Yep, not really a sale per se. I almost got stabbed at one by a crazed lady going for the blingy stuff. They can get nuts.

• Tag sale- they just sell the tags off stuff. No it’s just an alternate name for yard or garage sale. Nothing exciting.

Best time to shop at Yard Sales-

This depends. If people go early, then most likely you will be going the same time as dealers. Not drug dealers. Dealers are people looking for stuff to resell. They are usually looking for antiques or vintage items. However, sometimes they are just looking to fill their store. Arriving at the beginning of the sale is also good if you saw something online that a sale has and you need it or want it. Then go first thing before someone snatches it up. Take note, do not appear at someone’s sale before the posted time. This is bad form.

Any time of day is fine if you are just looking for whatever and aren’t concerned you will miss something. There is more of an element of surprise. It’s a more relaxed approach.

Toward the end of the sale is another approach. There will be a lot fewer items. However, you are more likely to score a deal later on than first thing in the morning. Late in the day, you might even stumble upon the glorious free pile. Yes, sometimes, you will spot a free pile earlier on, however, chances are that the free pile will be better toward the end of the sale. Just don’t start grabbing arm fulls because it’s free. Don’t go by the saying “if it’s free, it’s for me.” It might make Fred Sanford happy. However, do you really need it? Back to impulsing again and impulsing is no bueno.

Let’s Make a Deal-

If the item says fifteen dollars, don’t just pay the fifteen and run away. Always ask less. The worst that will happen is the dreaded word “no.” Put the item down and walk away or counteroffer or pay what they want for it.

Another approach is the bundle. Put a big pile together and then ask how much for the whole pile. This is Abby Girl’s go-to method and has worked for her so far. It also works for American Pickers. FYI awesome show.

Popular United States Yard Sales (sadly some were canceled until next year due to COVID)

• West Point Family Yard Sale. This the place for children’s clothing. Household items are at an abundance too. Many houses participate. Just remember your ID or you will not be let into the base. It was canceled spring 2020 due to COVID

• Mowers Flea Market, Woodstock NY- Great vibe. Lot’s of unique vendors.

• Be Green Kids Consignment. Happens twice a year and has all things kid related from infant up to teenage years.

• Then beyond the Hudson Valley, there are highway yard sales that can go for hundreds of miles. View a list here

Final Thoughts-

Yard sales and similar sales can be a lot of fun and also provide items that a person needs for a lot lower price. Just follow these tips and tricks above and you can be on your yard sales game just like Abby Girl!

*Have a popular sale you would like us to add to the list? Let us know in the comments.

Also remember mandated COVID rules. Bring your mask and remember to social distance.

Easy to Find Links that might be of interest-

Adventure Inspired Products Found here! (will be adding new products this week, stay tuned)

Art Prints Here! Follow www.instagram.com/ericahiggsphotography for more prints for sale.