Top 10 Tips For G-sales/Yard Sales
1. Focus on moving sales or older homesNot
sure which yard sales to hit first? For practical goods, moving sales
are better than run-of-the-mill garage sales, since people are more
likely to be unloading goods that are fairly new and don't have a lot of
wear and tear, says Cristin Frank, who blogs about reducing waste.
Hunting
for antiques or collectibles? Stick to neighborhoods that have older
homes, says Reyne Hirsch, an expert in 20th-century decorative arts and
former appraiser for Antiques Roadshow.
If you're packing a bunch of sales into a single day,
YardSaleSearch.com or the
Garage Sale Rover app will map out the most time-efficient route.
2. Know your sizesYou
don't want to discover after you get it home that your terrific new end
table is three inches too wide for the spot you had in mind.
Assess your spaces beforehand and carry a small tape measure in your bag to use while browsing, says blogger Cristin Frank.
[Related:
Things Your Thrift Store Owner Won't Tell You]
3. Think frames, not artThe
chances you'll spot an original Whistler in your neighbor's yard? Not
good. Frames, on the other hand, can often be worth more than sellers
think.
"I have found some that were 150 years old selling for
chump change," says artist, designer, and garage sale enthusiast Pablo
Solomon. Look for intricate frames made from solid material.
For more on what makes frames, art, and other antiques valuable, see the
guides at eBay.com.
4. Scout out old chinaYard
sales are great for nabbing just-out-of-the-box kitchenware. But bowls
and cups from the 1920s and '30s may be a better deal than newer items.
"A
lot of it is vintage stuff that didn't cost much but is better quality
than what you could buy new today," says decorative-arts expert Reyne
Hirsch.
Like a lot of stuff? Ask for a bulk discount; sellers are often willing to cut a deal to clear out a bunch of wares at once.
5. For resale, try retroYard-hopping
for profit? Many traditional antiques are selling for half what they
used to because downsizing baby boomers are flooding the market and
younger buyers have a different aesthetic, says Patrick van der Vorst, a
Sotheby's veteran and co-founder of ValueMyStuff.com.
Today's
hot items are appliances, functional objects, and novelties -- such as
movie posters or advertisements -- from the 1950s, `60s, and `70s.
Use your smartphone to check how much similar items have recently sold for on eBay before you negotiate.
6. Get goods appraisedThink you've found a garage sale gem? Get a detailed virtual appraisal on
ValueMyStuff.com (cost: $8.50).
Just
submit a photo, and within 48 hours you'll have an estimate as well as
details about the item's provenance and insight about why something is
or isn't valuable.
That's knowledge you can use to score even bigger on your next scavenger hunt.
[Related:
Tips from the Garage Sale Millionaire]
7. Test the electronicsThose new-looking portable iPod speakers are a great deal -- or are they?
Pack an assortment of batteries to test
electronic goods,
along with a high-powered flashlight or black light to check for cracks
or chips on housewares or furniture that may not be visible to the
naked eye.
8. Look carefully at costume jewelrySellers
often think that old costume jewelry made with fake stones and plated
with silver or gold isn't worth anything. Yet "vintage costume jewelry
can sell for big bucks," says Reyne Hirsch.
Look for sturdy settings and clasps; avoid pieces that have chipped or worn enamel.
9. Go for heavy itemsGardening
tools, kids' bikes, fitness equipment, and furniture -- all may be
cheaper at a yard sale than on eBay, since many sellers don't want to go
through the trouble or expense of shipping awkward or heavy pieces.
To
snag the best price on something mentioned in a listing, try calling
the seller the day before, says Cristin Frank; aficionados often circle
the block hours before the official sale starts.
10. Know when to steer clearMattresses,
upholstered furniture -- forget 'em. The risk of bedbugs is too high.
Also be careful with baby gear such as car seats and cribs, since safety
standards often change.
By yahoo money report
