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Garage sale mania!
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I'll admit it - I used to cringe at the idea of buying clothes at a garage sale - I mean, you can get clothes other places and who knows what people have done in them. Somehow the idea of having secondhand clothes neatly (or messily) arrayed in racks in a room with fluorescent lights and cashiers is more comforting than getting clothing from that family two streets over. Why? I have no clue, and it seemed illogical so I decided to get over it and at least try it, once. And I was hooked!
It's amazing what you can get from your neighbors! One family was selling brand-new t-shirts proclaiming the name of a famous and wonderful city (okay, it's Boston) for five bucks each. Bargaining cut the price down to 15 for 4. Other people are selling great little earrings and accessories, not to mention clothes you wouldn't get other places - their old grandma's wedding dress, period clothes no one wnated to admit to owning, and things that were a little too good to just give away to charity. The best thing about it is that the prices aren't fixed and you get your pick - plus no tax.
Before you head out into your neighborhood looking for the next yard loungers selling stuff, make sure you're all set:
- Carry enough cash. You don't want to be strapped. On the other hand, carrying only what you want to spend will be in your favor, because you can say, "I only have this much on me"
- Be prepared by checking the papers. Find the ones closest to you before you head out and check the times. When you get there earlier, the best stuff remains. But if you go later, you might be able to bargain a bit more (because people get tired and want to do other things than sit around all day)
- Don't be afraid to bargain! You don't have to be rude about it, but you could ask, "Could you lower the price if I took two?" or notice something wrong with something and ask if they'll take a specified price you suggest. Even, "I'll take them all if you'll take $20" works if you laugh a little and aren't unreasonable about it.
- Don't just take it cause it's inexpensive. You'll hate yourself for it later - be picky about what you pick up. Remember at garage sales there are no exchanges and no returns.
- Set up your own! Your own garage sale of old clothes and things you don't want works right from your yard. Or pool with your neighbors and throw a huge one. You'll get some cash you can spend on more Saturday mornings on your own!
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