New England Vintage Chic: How To Get The Most Out of Yard Sales

Friday, May 03, 2013

Taylor Kloss, GoLocalWorcester Style Contributor

Yard sales are a great way to enjoy the warm weather and snag unbelievable deals. Here's how to work them right.

The summer is approaching fast; which means sunscreen, cold drinks, ice cream, swimming, camping, and yard sales are on the horizon. My love for shopping at yard sales is only natural since i’m always on the hunt for the best second-hand stores. However, I realize that shopping at yard sales is not for everyone... so here are seven quick tips for getting the most out of yard sale experience.

Finding a Yard Sale

It always seems that you see a yard sale sign one week too late. So to avoid this problem, stake out all the local yard sales ahead of time. Here are few spots you can check—Classifieds section in your local newspaper, local community bulletin boards/websites, craigslist.com, church notes in your local paper (great spot to find info on a church yard sale), and signs/posters on street intersections.

Timing

Most, if not all yard sales take place on Saturday morning. The earlier you get there, the better the pickings will be. However, you don’t want to arrive hours early and annoy the yard sale host. Your chance of getting a good deal will dwindle quickly if you’re sitting on their grass stalking their goods like a hawk.

Know What You’re Looking For

If you’re looking for children’s clothing/toys, you wouldn’t shop at a retirement community yard sale; would you?.Or if you were looking for high-end shoes, you wouldn’t shop at a yard sale located in a poverty stricken neighborhood. Bottom line is: be smart and think about what you’re looking for. Using this tactic will help you narrow down your amount of stops and reduce your gas milage.

Dress Correctly

Don’t show up to a yard sale with your high heels on. Wear the right clothing and the right shoes to maximize your time and save your nice clothing. The last thing you want is to be slipping all over a wet lawn because you wore flip flops. Or ruin your white pants from carrying a dirty vintage chest you found. Wearing sneakers or closed toed shoes is your best bet to avoid sand, dust, wetness and critters from getting in your way of a bargain.

Come Prepared

Shopping at a yard sale is nothing like shopping at Macy’s. You need to be prepared with cash and not just a $100 bill. Bring $1’s, $5,s, $10’s and $20’s. Being prepared will help get you the best deal possible.

Don’t Be Afraid To Negotiate

My first question to any host is “what do you want for this”? By asking them first you’re able to see what they really want for the item and negotiate from there.

Quality

Just because you’re shopping at a yard sale doesn't mean you should buy junk. Look at items thoroughly and know that you most likely can not return the item.

Taylor Kloss lives for the hunt—to find that one-of-a-kind piece that no one else has and to put amazing outfits together on a tight budget. To share her passion with the world and encourage shopping at vintage, thrift and consignment stores, she blogs on New England Vintage Chic, a journey of her adventures, advice, styles, and reviews of local second-hand stores throughout New England.