Spend Saturday rummaging around in Mac

This Saturday in McIntosh is the Citywide Rummage sales. You are sure to find some great bargains and have a lot of fun searching for a great deal and just visiting.

There is a listing of most of the sales on page 6 of this paper, but look around town because there will be more sales than just those listed. 

There is also a Flea Market that will be set up on 1st St and Broadway, just south of the Community Center, with multiple vendors. Most sales start around 8:00 am, so plan to come early to shop, then stop by the local businesses to pick up a doughnut or dinner. 

Some tips for successful rummage sale shopping are: 

Plan your route. 

You want to plan exactly which yard sales you’re going to shop at before you even get in your car.

While driving around looking for yard sales can be fun, it can also mean you don’t get the best bargains before the other yard salers do.

There are 2 kinds of garage sales. There are the ones where people want to make money and the ones where people want to get rid of stuff. The object is to find the ones where people want to get rid of stuff.

Decide what you want to buy ahead of time and make a list.

The worst thing you can do as a bargain shopper is to spend more money than you initially wanted to on things that you’re never going to use.

Having a list means you only buy those things you truly want and will use. Be sure to make note of the sizes you need and the spaces where household items will go, and take along a tape measure!

Of course, there are always some exceptions. For example, items that you should always be on the lookout for at yard sales are:

•stainless steel bakeware

•bikes

•commercial grade cookware

•suitcases

•dog items ( leashes, bowls, pet toys)

•games

Decide on a budget …and don’t go over it! 

You can lose a lot of money shopping at yard sales, if you aren’t careful.

Knowing how much you can afford to spend (as well as what you want to buy) can make your yard sale shopping experience a positive one, rather than a regretful one.

You will undoubtedly see a lot of interesting and unique items. To avoid going broke, ask yourself, “Can I really use it? Where will it go the minute I arrive home? Will it fit in?”

Know right away how much you are willing to pay for a particular item. Stick to your guns and do not pay more.

And for goodness sake, don’t buy things just because they’re cheap or a good deal. That money can be better spent going toward items that you truly do need.

Look for multi-family yard sales.

You will usually have better success at multi-family yard sales and those that are hosted by an organization (like a church, a neighborhood, or a charity) rather than at single-family garage sales.

Not only are there lots more items to choose from (which means you’ll be more likely to find what you are looking for), but by attending fewer larger yard sales you’ll be able to cut down on the number of sales you actually have to visit.

This is most helpful if you are strapped for time, cash, or gas.

If you’re visiting a community garage sale where there are several vendors in one location, start at the farthest point from the entrance. Why? Because most people start at the front. So if you’re not there early, most of the best sale deals will be picked over by the time you get there.

Get an early start. 

That old saying about the early bird getting the worm is true, so arrive early if you want the best sale deals!

Don’t wait until 11 a.m. to get out of the house and head to your first yard sale! While you might still find some good deals when getting a late start, you will definitely find more deals (and better deals) if you get an early start.

Every savvy yard sale shopper knows that the really good stuff can be gone within the first couple of hours. Since you won’t be able to be at all of the yard sales on your route early, you should pick one or two that you think will have the most of what you’re looking for and start there first!

Of course, you won’t be able to buy everything you see (and you might find the same item cheaper at another yard sale anyway), so take a picture of any items you spot early in the day that you might want to go back and revisit later. Keep a running list of yard sales that might be worth going back to later.

 Don’t be afraid to ask for a lower price (or haggle).

Never settle for the price that’s marked on an item. Instead, offer a little lower than that first. Odds are, they’ll come back with a price a little higher than your offer. If you want it, you should take it!

It’s amazing to me how some people are intimidated to ask the person running a yard sale to lower their price on something, or to haggle in order to get a price that is acceptable to both of you.

The worst thing that can happen is they say “No.” And if they do, then you just move on to the next yard sale where you may find exactly the same thing (or something similar… or even better!) at the price you are willing to pay.

Of course, if you see something you really want and you know that it’s priced right, then don’t hesitate or someone else might snatch it up!

Here are the rules for engaging a garage sale owner:

•Be prepared to walk away

•Always smile, and be pleasant

•Make eye contact

•Look confident, but not smug or demanding

If you will be buying several items from one person, ask for a package price. Your best bet is to offer something a little lower than you’re actually willing to pay for it. Chances are, they will settle for a price slightly higher than you ask for.

Take plenty of food and water. 

Take cash, preferably a stack of one dollar bills and a roll of quarters.

This makes things much easier when it comes to paying for stuff.

Most yard sale hosts aren’t going to have the ability to charge your credit or debit card, so make sure that you have enough cash on hand for all of the sale deals you’re going to find.

Likewise, since yard sale hosts may not have a lot of change on hand, it’s best if you start with plenty of one dollar bills and quarters. This will also come in handy since many items are priced 25-cents and 50-cents apiece.

 Leave your kids with a babysitter. 

It’s going to be much easier to shop if young children aren’t by your side asking you to buy every toy and book they see.

Unless your kids are exceptionally good at looking and not touching, then it’s best to leave them at home when you’re yard sale shopping.

Wear comfortable shoes & clothing. 

There’s nothing worse than wearing a pair of shoes that pinch (or binding clothing when it’s hot) when you’re going from sale to sale.

Good luck and enjoy the day!