Did you go yard-sale-ing this weekend? We did. Not only did we get some great bargains, but we learned quite a bit about yard sales.
Yesterday was a big day for our family. It was the first time that we went yard sale-ing in our new area. We weren’t sure what to expect, since we were unfamiliar with the towns and communities around our new house. But we took a chance with a community sale not far from home. We found it through signs hung on trees and posts near the main roads.
The sale was in effect from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. We arrived somewhere around noon, and some of the sellers were already wrapping up their sale. I know that serious yard salers show up really early to get the best selection, but there are still some great bargains to be had toward the end of a yard sale.
One of the things I like about going to yard sales is meeting the people in the community. We are a very outgoing family, so getting a chance to chat with friendly people is a plus for us. Our first purchase was made at one end of the sale. We picked up a very sturdy “Lego” table with a top that flipped over for other activities. It came complete with a large drawers and two very sturdy chairs. We purchased it for $6, and the owner threw in a play-doh desk as well. He told us that “the sharks started circling at 7 a.m., and I sold out 50 percent of my stuff in the first 20 minutes.”
Our old, smaller less sturdy table went to a woman I met on freecycle who was thrilled to have it.
At our next stop, I picked up four outfits for the kids for only $2! They were brand name clothing that was hardly worn. We were going to pay a little more, but since the seller didn’t have change, she let us have it all for less. So, if you are a seller, it pays to have change handy.
Our last stop is one that I am really excited about. We have a sort of Americana theme in our decor, or will, once we have finished painting and unpacking. We found a set of dishes with the look of a rustic American flag in the perfect colors to match our home. It was a four piece set that the owner bought for a party and never used. The set consisted of dinner plates, salad plates, bowls and mugs. We can use the service as is or mix it in with our new dishes for a more formal look. I negotiated the set to $7, and the seller threw in a couple of silicone molds.
That was our experience. What was yours? Share some of your finds!
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