Baby clothes. A 90's inspirational poster of skydivers holding hands in a circle. Amber-tinted glassware. Welcome to the time-honored tradition of the rummage sale! Though it goes by many names, it is a staple of Saturday mornings in suburbia. The smells of musk, commerce and desperation waft through the air as you gaze into stranger's personal belongings. As I have frequented many a rummage sale myself (and held a few of my own), I have a few pointers on how to successfully buy and sell in these situations.
Is that a skirt, apron, or just an excuse to put an elephant on a gingham pattern?
Buyer
Whether you're looking for a vintage dresser or some kid's toys, there are some general rules to the road when securing second-hand goods. First, doing a little prep work may save you time and effort if you're looking for something specific. Try using GSALR to find rummage sales in the area; you can even search for key words to help narrow your search. If you're not tech-savvy, I'm not sure how you stumbled upon my blog, but you could also check a local newspaper? While it's important to get to sales early to ensure you find what you're looking for, be respectful of sellers and arrive only after the posted start time.
Once you find your item of choice, look for the price tag. It is perfectly reasonable, and may I suggest even an expectation, that you can haggle over the price. Usually this is more effective if you're buying multiple items, but if it's a larger-ticket item, the person may be more flexible. This is not market-researched pricing here, it's just an estimate. As a general courtesy, don't haggle anything under $1. As fiscally responsible as I am, even I don't do that!
Finally, if you purchase a larger item (like a lawnmower, refrigerator, etc.), but prepared to take it immediately, including having the labor and vehicle to do so. Funny story: I bought my first washer/dryer combo (stacked) at an estate auction. While the bidding and thrill of the win was great, it quickly sank in that this monstrosity of an appliance would not fit neatly in my Dodge Stratus. I quickly called a co-worker with a truck and made arrangements to pick it up later. The selling company was kind enough to hold it for me, and my co-worker was gracious enough to help me move it in through narrow doorways into my basement!
Seller
Now it's your turn to open up shop! Rummage sales are a good way to clear out household items you no longer need or use. Like mentioned above, posting on GSALR will help draw people in, but the old-fashioned yard signs help too. Prep as much as possible ahead of time so you're ready for the flood of customers. Little things like having a variety of cash/coins to make change helps avoid awkwardness once customers arrive.
Looking for the big payday after hoarding those Beanie Babies 25 years ago? Besides the ludicrous nature of many collectibles, you probably overvalue your stuff compared to the general public. Collectibles are a whole different discussion, one I'll tackle in a future blog. Price it to move so you can get it gone! Just as you would as a buyer, be prepared to negotiate. As yourself, "Do I really care how much I get for this if it means not having to bring it back into my home?". You should be fully prepared for ridiculous offers, but don't be afraid to hold firm if you don't get a reasonable price.
We got all these baskets of plastic fruit and vegetables for $3!
Alternatives
So you don't want to spend your weekend putting tiny price tags on puzzles or driving around town to sift through dingy boxes? Okay, your loss! But, seriously, there are several methods to buy or sell items consumer-to-consumer. First, if you're looking to get rid of personal belongings, consider donating to an organization like The Salvation Army. Not only will you be helping someone in need, you may be able to deduct your donation on your income taxes. If perhaps don't want to haul it somewhere yourself, try NextDoor. If you can ignore the anti-vaccination posts, there is a plethora of items for sale (or free!). You can even post your own. My wife and I recently sold tons (literally, tons) of landscaping rocks to accommodate a backyard project, with buyers hauling away themselves. Yes, I helped them load and my back is paying for it! While they got a great deal compared to retail prices, we would have had to pay to have them removed, so it was truly a win-win. Depending on your personal circumstance and comfort having strangers come to your home, you can certainly set up a meet as a "safe zone". Many cities offer these areas around town for online transactions. Lastly, you can always resort to eBay. I have bought and sold many collectible items here, and have overall had a good experience.
Found on NextDoor: $25 for a set of four wooden drink coasters. C'mon!
In conclusion, rummage sales can be a fun way to spend a morning, either as buyer or seller. The thrill of coming across that mint-condition Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie card can make the last two hours bouncing around town feel worth it. Or, clearing out the basement or guest room and making a few bucks can feel good as well. But, if this is not for you, no judgment from me! There are plenty of other avenues you can pursue. Have fun, be safe, and let me know if you come across some old license plates for sale!
P.S. Just want to share a huge thank you to all of the recent subscribers! Hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy mocking stock photos and sharing my financial/career insights. Please continue sharing with friends, family, co-workers, and even perfect strangers. Special thanks to those who have reached out for assistance with their career and finance questions! I try to get to them as quickly as possible. I truly have a passion for this, so don't hesitate to get in touch.
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