Yard sales have become a permanent way of life, a folk tradition that continues to hold significant attraction for all classes of consumers. No matter your age, gender, or socio-economic status, chances are you will visit or perhaps even sponsor a yard sale at some point in your life.
When planning to shop yard sales in your area, keep in mind that a few well-planned steps can save you time and money while netting the best buys. Check newspaper ads in the Sunday edition before the week you plan to shop. That way you can mark sale dates on your calendar and plan ahead for getting out to shop. Double-check the day before a scheduled sale, since some may be cancelled due to unexpected circumstances. Sometimes a dealer will get wind of a sale and buy up everything for a single price. Find out in advance if the sale is still on to avoid wasting your time the next day if it has been cancelled.
Line up several sale locations in the same area. You can saving driving time this way while hitting yard sales that are relatively close together. You may be able to rule out undesirable locations as well if you know who lives at certain addresses.
If contact information is posted in the ad, you can call ahead to find out if there will be certain items that you are looking for, like a specific tool or a certain size of children's clothing. You also may be able to get an idea of the price range to see if you're interested in stopping by that location. If a telephone or email address are not listed, you may want to drive by the house the night before the advertised sale date. Some home-owners "open" their sale the day before to neighbors and family members, so if you can see that the lawn is already decorated with sale items, stop by to make an offer on something you want.
Otherwise, plan to arrive early the morning of the sale. If the starting time is 8:30 a.m., be there by 8:00 or 8:15 in case they open early. Again, if the owner is still putting things in the yard, you may be able to pick up a good deal in advance of other buyers. But if the owner does not look welcoming, wait until the official starting time.
Take small bills and some coins for purchasing items. While many people who sponsor yard sales are able to make change for a ten- or twenty-dollar bill, you don't want to have to wait while they rifle through wallets or purses in the house in case they don't have it. If you plan to write a check, take photo identification in case it is asked for.
You may want to bring along a few bags or boxes to hold the stuff you buy. While some people provide containers, taking your own ensures that you will have something to carry it in and that the bag is clean and free of food spills or pesticide, etc. Clean out your car's back seat or trunk in advance to make room for anything you decide to buy.
Take the kids along for a fun outing. Give them a dollar or two to spend or encourage them to use their allowance. Yard sales are great places to find affordable playthings or baubles that can make kids feel grown-up when they get a lot for their money.
Yard sales provide family fun and budgetary options for buying things you may need or want. Plan ahead for the next nice day that you'll have a little time on your hands to shop the neighborhood lawns in quest of a bargain.
