Garage sales offer potential to get lots, spend less

June 3, 2007

By Hannah Guillaume

Frontiersman

PALMER - Most anything can be found for less than $20 at garage sales.

Avoid paying too much for items in driveways across the Valley with these tips and ideas from seasoned shoppers.

“Well, it's all about knowing what to look for,” said Juanita Roerick, an acclaimed antiques dealer on eBay who has made her living reselling items purchased at garage sales from Texas to Alaska at Juanita's Antiques. “Your profit is in your buying.”

Timing is everything for buyers. Going to sales early on Friday mornings ensures a full selection will be up for sale.

But for those who have weekday jobs or are too busy Friday mornings, there may be consolation. Roerick said sellers are less inclined to take less than their asking price early on. Common sale items can go cheaper later in the day and on Saturdays.

€ Reduce the asking price

Roerick said negotiating the price is part of the fun. Walk in and assess things, but don't take too much time. If there's something that seems like it might be worth buying, pick it up or ask the seller if they can set it aside.

She said most sellers will consider reducing their prices by about 25 percent after a polite inquiry. If a seller is asking $25 for a particular item, don't start out offering $20. Instead, ask if they'd consider taking less.

€ Trade up for what's needed

Sellers aren't likely to trade unless they have a standing relationship the buyer, Roerick said. However, it all requires asking, so don't be timid.

“Would you consider trading for this item is a polite question,” she said. “A garage sale is not a true business. The longer the sale runs the better chance they may trade with you.”

€ Spotting good deals

Roerick said a working understanding of current store stock can help in spotting driveway deals, and collectibles can be found at almost any garage sale.

Keep an antique book in the car, and when an item looks like it might be a collectible, use the book. Be discreet in on-the-spot research.

€ Lawn care and kitchenware items

Renee Rieth, a Palmer resident who moved back to the Valley after 20 years of traveling, said she uses garage sales to find yard tools and household items.

Last weekend, she found a lawn rake for $1.50 that is selling for more than $5 new.

“It's good for cleaning up a dog's mess, which I need to do,” she said.

Blenders, glassware, microwaves and more are common garage sale items. She said if those seem overpriced, it's good to keep looking.

€ Furniture

Furniture is likely to be a price-negotiable item, and dirty items are often reducible in price, Roerick said.

Turn over chairs and examine the legs. Make sure there is no glue running down the back or an obvious repair, as those marks diminish the value.

“You have to determine the condition of your item,” she said.

€ Kids stuff

Jared Carpenter, a Palmer resident and father-to-be, said he looks for items that won't break the bank and could keep his children happy.

He purchased a swing for $10 that he said he thinks would have sold for $80 in a store.

“I'm trying to stock up on stuff to keep the kids busy, because that television, I don't know about anymore,” he said. “Usually, when you find a good deal it's probably something you never needed. So, I've got a whole garage full of stuff. Cheaper than going to Wal-Mart and spending the money, right?”

€ Books

There are often rare finds for book readers, such as first editions, at garage sales. Otherwise, try not to pay more than $5 for a hardcover top-selling book, said Edward Koch, a Palmer resident who holds yard sales three to four times a year.

He said he thinks he has sold books for less than $5 that went for $15 elsewhere.

“I try not to let anyone leave without taking some of my junk, though,” he said.

€ Sporting goods

Sarah Lacasse, a Palmer resident, said she isn't much of a garage-sale shopper unless her neighbors are selling.

But she thinks she got a great deal three years ago when she stumbled across a ping-pong table with paddles, a net and balls for $20.

“It was the find of the century,” she said.

€ Jewelry

Roerick said buyers should keep their eyes out for vintage jewelry.

“Look for sterling silver pieces, which are more valuable,” she noted.

€ Future home-buying surveillance

Shelley and Jerry Finkler, residents of Thunderbird Falls, said they mosey around garage sales to scope out what could be their future neighborhood.

“We own land that we don't use, and we'd like to buy land that we will use,” Jerry said.

Shelley said going to garage sales is a two-for-one deal for home buyers, because they can often find what they'll need once they move.

“I have discovered that you can get almost anything you need at garage sales for way less than you could ever buy something for at the store,” she said.

Contact Hannah Guillaume at 352-2250 or hannahguillaume@yahoo.com.