Garage Sales — Someone's Trash is Another's Treasure

One person's trash can become someone's treasure, and garage sales are a way to find usable items at low prices. In the summer months, don't follow that car in front of you too closely — there are a large percentage who "brake for yard sales."

Fenton Township resident Charlene Longworth recently sorted through a tableful of clothes for sale at a garage sale. She was looking for knicknacks, crystals, pictures and kitchen towels.

She strategizes to begin her search around 9:30 a.m.

"The good stuff is there early," she said. Longworth has found some pretty pots at a sale, which she planted flowers in and received some compliments on. "I got an awesome eagle picture once."

But finding treasures isn't the only aspect of a fun yard sale.

"You get to talk to people, and most of them are nice," Longworth said. "I think part of the sales is a social thing."

She's held garage sales before, with friends and family. They sell items that are outgrown and that they want to get rid of and make some money to buy new knickknacks, she said.

Rose Porter, also of Fenton Township, agrees about the social aspect of garage sales. She and a friend combined their things into one sale, so they could sit and chat. Porter holds a garage sale every year, she said.

The offerings at their sale included furniture, pictures, toys, Christmas items and collectibles, like Budweiser steins. Her community, located between North Long Lake and Thompson roads — was holding a weekend garage sale, which it publicized with signs. In addition, sometimes the sale is advertised in a local newspaper.

Business was a little slow early last week, but it picked up pretty well on the weekend, Porter said. She sold a lot of clothes and toys, and her friend sold a lot of collectibles. "We just price what we believe is low and let people dicker if they believe it's too high."

Norma Stewart's garage sale had a unique feature — homemade fudge in chocolate with nuts, peanut butter flavor and more. She had sold out of it by the afternoon.

It was her first garage sale at her current home.

"It's been off and on," she said, regarding traffic at the sale. A knitter and crocheter, her offerings included yarn, knickknacks and tools.

Stewart's advice is to sell whatever one has that they don't want or use anymore. When her grandchildren were younger, she found a lot of clothes for them at garage sales, she said.

Crystal Wallace, a recent mother, was selling children's items her daughter has outgrown. It included books, bags, games and more. Last year, she was out at other yard sales looking for baby stuff for her daughter.

"Some of this stuff I am selling again in a yard sale, because she outgrew it," Wallace said. "Usually, I like to look for things I like or what I need for the house."

When planning a garage sale, experts say residents should check with their the government office for the city, township or village in which they live, to find out if they need a garage sale permit. In addition, some areas have restrictions on where garage sale signs can be placed.

Also, in general, it's helpful to include directions to the sale when advertising it, so people who aren't familiar with the street name can find it.

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Bright signs, and even balloons, can help draw attention to a sale. Holding a sale at the same time as others in one's neighborhood can bring more shoppers looking for bargains. Grouping similar items together — clothes in one area, toys in another and knickknacks in another — helps customers find what they want.

Put prices on the items; also, a "free" box near the road with items one would really like to get rid of can draw people in. In addition, be prepared to make change for purchases and decide "how low to go" on pricing in case shoppers want to haggle on an item. Having items for men, such as tools, lawn mowers and computer equipment, near the road where they can easily spot it can grab their interest.

As safety precautions, keep the house locked, the money on someone and the family dog inside or confined away from the sale. Sellers shouldn't discuss how much money they are making, or allow people into their home to use the restroom or plug in an electrical item to see if it works. For electrical items, have an extension cord available to demonstrate that the item operates.

For leftover items that didn't sell, one can donate them to a charity like Goodwill or Fenton Area Resource & Referral (F.A.R.R.). Other options include listing them to give away free of charge on Fenton and Linden Freecycle, or taking them to a local consignment store to sell. Consignment stores receive a percentage of the purchase price.

Happy hunting!