Searching for deals
How to get the best haul at a yard sale
One person’s trash is another person’s treasure – and that's especially true at yard sales, which are popping up across Atlantic Canada this time of year.
But don't be fooled: there is a lot of work that goes into yard sales. For those holding them, there's the effort that goes into setting up, pricing and selling their items. And for buyers, it's all about knowing where to look for the good ones, searching through the items for the real treasures, and knowing how to negotiate the best deals.
Nancy Riley from Cornwall, P.E.I., is a veteran at yard sales. Some of her best finds include “a unique pair of old glasses that are really tiny and fold in the middle, as well as an antique necklace that would have originally contained perfume.”
Riley and her late husband enjoyed going to yard sales together.
“He would always look at all sorts of old cassette tapes, the older the better, and when he passed away, he had over 5,000,” she says.
Sandra Griffin grew up in Scotchfort, P.E.I., but now lives in Olds, Alta.
“I have been a dedicated garage sale customer for over 25 years and typically host at least one multi-family sale with friends each year,” says Griffin.
Among Griffin’s best treasures are a set of Seagull Pewter glasses she got for
$10 at a sale in Charlottetown “that was so small I almost didn't get out to look, but figured, why not?”
She's glad she did.
“I picked up a Briggs & Stratton lawnmower for free because the owners couldn't get it to start. I had it serviced and have been using it for six years,” says Griffin.
She also found a large barbecue that was in excellent condition. Not only did she only pay $50 for it, but the seller also delivered it to her house.
Griffin says she would have to say her best find was a Ford Ranger, which she named Rusty Ranger.
“He was for sale for $700. I paid $600, used him for pulling my Scamper Camper (Sally Scamper) and all sorts of other adventures before deciding to sell him and my SUV for a new truck. Rusty Ranger sold for $1,000 and is still on the road around town.”
Tiffany Barrett is a painter, merchandiser and the elementary school crossing guard from Digby. She is also a master of scoring great yard sale finds. Her friends can’t believe all the good things she finds, which she paints or fixes to make them her own.
“But I’m really happy with everything I’ve bought at yard sales," says Barrett.
NEGOTIATING SKILLS
Sometimes a deal-seeker's heart wins over frugality when it comes to hard-core negotiating.
Riley was set up as a vendor in P.E.I.’s 70-mile costal yard sale when a young man approached her about her late husband's cassette tapes.
The young man, who she noticed had a mental disability, told her, “I only have 25 cents.”
He went on to tell her how he played cassettes for all of the clients in the group home where he lived and how much he loved music.
“I knew that I had quite a few cassette tapes left and I told the gentleman, 'You give me your quarter and if you want, you can take them all and you have fun with them, and I know that my late husband would want you to have them'," she recalls.
"When the caregiver came along, he couldn't believe that I had done that but that's how you negotiate with somebody.”
It's all about heart, she says. “Some people when they negotiate, they have to see that the person may really enjoy this but they can't afford it. That is when I will go down on the price I am asking," she adds. “I have often told people about that young man because I felt that it was just so nice that he was able to have fun with those cassettes.”
For Griffin, when it comes to negotiating, it depends on the item, the seller and sometimes how far into the sale they are or how much you are buying or bundling.
“If it's fairly priced or an item you feel is already a great deal then typically we don't ask for a better deal."
But there is always room to negotiate.
“If it seems the item could be priced lower or you are operating within a budget we would politely ask if they are open to offers, what's your best price, or would you be willing to take x amount for it,” says Griffin.
“If it seems the item could be priced lower or you are operating within a budget we would politely ask if they are open to offers, what’s your best price, or would you be be willing to take x amount for it.” Sandra Griffin
A SUCCESSFUL YARD SALE
Griffin says the best yard sales have “great signage, items organized and well displayed, are clean and are priced fairly and reasonably.”
She also points out the importance of pre-pricing items. Otherwise, she says, sellers will either spend a ton of time answering, ‘How much is this?’ or will lose out on sales because people don't want to ask.
“When items are pre-priced, people can grab everything they want and still stay within budget," Griffin says.
"They also don't mind asking, then, for a deal or negotiating if they get an idea of your pricing mindset and don't worry about offending you.”
When hosting, Griffin says rearranging items halfway through to showcase new things is often beneficial.
“We have bags or boxes on hand, offer to set items by the cash so their hands are free to keep shopping and will help load, if possible," she says.
"It's possible to make all the work worthwhile if you do it right but it is a lot of work to host a sale. Attending sales is usually a lot more fun.
"Finding a treasure or great deal is what makes the day enjoyable.”