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Garage Sale Addict Part 2

Posted in - Personal Journey on May 1st 2014 15 Comments

                                                                                                                                   justgif.com

I rolled out of bed ninja style. I glanced at the clock at it read six am.  I threw my awesome work out outfit on and didnt even take a shower. This is not like me. I am the person who wears make up to any occasion. Even garage sales. lol I wanted to get on the road more then I wanted to look good. I saunter into  the kitchen to see my husband  making his legendary coffee. Time was up and it was time to get going. I needed my team mate in the game so I did not try and weasel a cup of coffee. I wasnt going to pull any shenanigans today.

There was no preparation done.We didnt do our performance check the night before and obviously winging it today. We did not have any cash with us and had to go to an ATM. On top of that we woke up past the alarm  and got a late start. Next time the dinero will be in fives and ones and ready to go. The alarm clock will be on the loudest annoying rock music station to get us out of bed ready to win. In pursuit of the next garage sale day we need to get out of the house by five thirty am. This way we can be first in line to look at the golden nuggets.

The only plan we made the night before was to go to Scottsdale for the yard sales. There was no route mapped out. Pulling off the 51 freeway we saw a bunch of garage sales on  the way to Scottsdale. Do you go with bird in hand or do you risk it to ultimately find a better deal? We decided to go with the Scottsdale route and not stop at the garage sales on Green-way st.

One of the first garage sales I went to  had beautiful vintage purses from the 1950s.                  

                                                                    vintageclothinglove.blogspot.com 

I was jazzed up and had adrenaline pumping a mile a minute. There where was a couple of popular DVD collections that I wanted too. I bought both even though I didnt feel  hundred percent confident the items would sell.  However I ended up being able to make a little money off the purses and DVDs. Next time I will pause and make sure the item will sell.

One of our philosophies is stay in the upper middle class suburbs to find the best items. Supposing that the person is well off their possessions could be over priced. They May not need the money and is okay with not selling the goods right away. Also upper middle class subdivisions could be sitting on old items that have been in the family for decades.  There is potential to find a treasure. Also if they took the time to put up clearreadable signs then there is something to be found.

                                                                                                                         twoknobbytires.com

The winning item we found was a Dad who was selling a Kelty Kids backpack. The baby backpacks sell for over hundred dollars retail. The guy gave it to my husband for five dollars. He had one of the best lines of the day it is a yard sale not a yard keep. I like this guys style. The second best line of the day was said from a woman with  million dogs penny on the dollar almost free. These are the sales one wants to hit and they are practically giving stuff away for free. A person can take a risk on a fifty cent item and still take the hit. Also if a person picked a winning piece they are upping the profit by paying  meager price for the good.

                                                        wisegeek.org

What I realized is garage sales are untapped markets. Goodwill is not the bees knees anymore people. Goodwill and I are breaking up. Just kidding. I still got love for Goodwill and will keep going. However one can not beat the filthy cheap prices yard sales offer. I am always amazed at the range of items that are worth money. Who would have thought my husband would have found a baby backpack valued over a bill.  I heard a quote one time life is random and so am I. It sums up how I feel about garage sales.  They are randomadventurous and full of treasures.

What are some of your favorite quotes you have heard from a sales event? Have you found any deals recently?

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As of now (15) people have had something to say...

  • Tim - Reply

    May 2, 2014 at 1:04 am

    I never knew the saying was bees and ees. I always thought it was Bees Knees. I completely understand the rush of the garage sale; I watch American Pickers!
    Tim recently posted…Crawfish in the Sierra NevadaMy Profile

    • crystal - Reply

      May 2, 2014 at 1:30 am

      Tim I changed it. Good looking out! I love that show American Pickers! I need to watch it again. Thanks. =)

  • Carma - Reply

    May 2, 2014 at 2:10 am

    Well all is said and true about the upscale places where we live…BUT dont always estimate that you will find good stuff…..many places here in Scottsdale show garbage at a sale….sometimes they shouldnt have bothered and do just that give it to goodwill……Also estate sales are good….sometimes the last day they reduce the prices also…..AND the same with a 2 or 3 day garage sale…..the thing is you never know what you will find till you stop! Sometimes its just hit and miss……
    MY FINDS? Has been a gun safe dehumidifier Capadamonite figurines headphones something for your tv to turn it into hdtv (FREE Score!) and just last week 4 3 sleeve brand new golf balls..(sold already for a nice profit)……I wanted the whole bunch but……..live and learn! Happy Saleing!

    • crystal - Reply

      May 2, 2014 at 3:17 pm

      Carma thanks for the heads up and I will remember this next time we go out. That is great you found all those random items to sell! You go girl! =)

  • Laurie Hurley - Reply

    May 2, 2014 at 3:10 am

    I love garage sales and love to negotiate. I also enjoy giving a garage sale and seeing all of my old junk go bye-bye and earning a few bucks in the meantime.

    Regarding your blog – the background makes it really difficult to read… Major eye strain. You May want to consider a solid background. Cannot easily see your links :)
    Laurie Hurley recently posted…Powerful Positive Affirmations And Why They WorkMy Profile

    • crystal - Reply

      May 2, 2014 at 3:16 pm

      Laurie I love to negotiate too!I will take that into consideration and talk to my web blogger friend about it. Thanks for the heads up and have a great day!

  • Susanna - Reply

    May 3, 2014 at 7:47 am

    Wow! What fantastic garage sales you have in your area! Ive just about given up going to any where I live far too expensive

  • Tuhin - Reply

    May 3, 2014 at 8:54 am

    I bought a book last year from one such Garage sales in our area! I am very bad at bargaining! Have to take some expert advice or go through some tutorials regarding this…lol!
    Tuhin recently posted…How to start small scale food banks in your localityMy Profile

  • Lenie - Reply

    May 3, 2014 at 10:22 am

    Hi Crystal
    I love your yard sale hunt – I used to like yard sales -but often it turned out to much like work so I have stopped going which is foolish. I know families who get together for annual yard sales and they dont own any junk so their stuff is always good . I do love Thrift stores – we dont have any Goodwill in our area but do have another one that is fabulous. Keep finding those treasures.

  • Paul Graham - Reply

    May 3, 2014 at 2:09 pm

    Hi Crystal. I enjoy your garage sale observations. Even though I am now quite transient and have as few possessions as reasonably possible they remind me of the pleasure of the treasure hunt

  • Meredith Wouters - Reply

    May 3, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    Im with you Crystal I love garage sales SO MUCH! You never know what youll find and the prices can be amazing. Garage sales are the only sale where there is no overhead for the seller to pay so they dont need their prices to be at a certain level (like goodwill). I also like to hit the late part of the day when people are practically giving stuff away. Great post – youve inspired me to get out there…
    Meredith Wouters recently posted…No Decorating Budget – No Problem!My Profile

  • maxwell ivy - Reply

    May 3, 2014 at 11:53 pm

    Hi; this article reminded me of something my dad use to believe in. my family owned a traveling carnival for a while. my dad said if you arent sure about whether or not you should try to book an event you should go by their location and check out the grounds the day after it is over. He said then you count the number of port-o-potties trash dumpsters and garbage cans. He said you also look to see how much trash is still lying around. He said if its too neat than no one had much fun. smile continued success Max

  • andleeb - Reply

    May 4, 2014 at 8:13 am

    I do not have experience with garage sales but I love to bargain ( negotiate ) .
    As you have mentioned about make up I also use make but only in those places where I have to open my face ( as I observe niqab) This is another benefit of veil :)
    The backpack for baby I really liked that and I am surprised that you have got just in five dollars.
    It is nice that after long effort you got some good stuff in budget.
    andleeb recently posted…Our Problems… Do you have a solution?My Profile

  • Jeri - Reply

    May 5, 2014 at 3:41 am

    I really should do a day of sales. Im sure it would bring back such memories of the times I would go along with my mom and Grandma. I guess I kind of look at farmers markets inthe same way…
    Jeri recently posted…Do you Prefer Print Books to eBooks? What about Audiobooks?My Profile

  • bryanna - Reply

    May 16, 2014 at 2:18 am

    SCORE! Those backpacks are so expensive! I so wish we lived closer. I would LOVE to go with you! Im a yard sale frugal junkie! hehe.. :)

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