Philadelphia / South Jersey

A Step-By-Step Guide to Shopping at Garage Sales, Tag Sales, and Flea Markets

From John Fischer, former About.com Guide

Here are some more garage and tag sale shopping tips:

If you find an item that you like, but it seems too expensive you ask the sellers if they will sell it for your price or ask for their "best price." Another method I like is to examine the item - lift it, turn it - make sure the seller sees that you're interested. Walk away. In a couple of minutes, go back and do the same thing again. Often the seller will come and offer to sell it to you for a lower price.
Avoid the trap of unmarked items. The seller is looking for you to make an offer. Some sellers actually mark items as "make an offer." Never volunteer a price before the seller tells you their price. It often is less than you would have offered to begin with.
If you see an item you intend to buy, but want to keep browsing, ask the seller to put it aside for you until you're done shopping. I've lost many an item when I go back and find that someone else has already bought it.
Keep in mind upcoming birthdays, holidays or other special occasions. You can often find very nice gifts at garage sales. They are especially good places to buy Christmas ornaments and decorations.
Keep in mind that it's so easy to resell items on eBay. If you see someone selling something you know is worth much more, consider buying it to resell.
Make sure that any item you buy is something you can use, give away or resell. Don't buy items just for the sake of not going home empty-handed. Your spouse doesn't want any more clutter.

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