Yard Sales, Estate Sales, Garage Sales...

[TGMT²]

Just curious how many of the forum users get all or part of their inventory from Yard Sales, Estate Sales or Garage Sales?

Hate to admit it, but thats where 90% of my inventory comes from! LOL

The rest of my inventory comes from placing want ads on Craigslist.

I just do Ebay to supplement my income. (I have a full time job)

If you are willing to admit you do the garage sale thing...It might be fun if you include some of the most interesting things you have found at a garage sale that you sold on Ebay...

About 6 months ago I was at a Garage Sale and I saw this computer on the persons shelf they weren't selling. I asked if they wanted to sell it, and they said it didn't work and I could have it. It was a Complete Mac G5 and it worked Perfectly! Made about $700. after fee's etc.

Last month I found a Brand New Sealed Windows 2003 Server disc on a table at a garage sale. I asked "how much" they said $5. I couldn't wait to get home and list it! Sold for $350.

[Jonas]

/thread .

[aspkin]

Woah, that's a lot of bikes.

[TGMT²]

Is that your backyard Jonas?

Come-On, just admit it :D LOL

[ebay]

THATS ALOT OF MONEY SITTING THERE !!!

[TGMT²]

LMAO!

Did anyone else "right click" and "click properties" on that bike picture and read the file name? :D LOL

[rjess7832]

when I first started all my stuff came from garage sales.Lots of Rich people dont give a $hit. They sell their stuff for little to nothing. Others have ahard time letting go, hate those!

[therrol]

Its not related to my ebay business, but I used to restore vintage speakers and amplifiers. I actually bought a lot of really high end stuff for under 20$, just cause it looks old doesn't mean it's no good!

and honestly speakers really haven't changed that much since the 80s.

[oge]

Yea I like garage sales but it's alot of work and alot of looking through garbage to find the gold. I prefer auctions that's where I get about 80% of my inventory. I guess I like to "look" at garage sales I mean I guess that's what ends up happening when all I see is high price junk lol.

[oge]

Another thing that I just hate is when I'm at a garage sale and the items they are selling is trying to compete with Amazon & ebay. LMFAO!!! I always tell them that you can't compete or compare the prices. For example they have an item that sells on Amazon and ebay they will knock like $5 off I just look, laugh, & leave!!! I've even seen some have like a little prinout of the ebay or amazon ad.

[TGMT²]

Originally Posted by oge

I've even seen some have like a little prinout of the ebay or amazon ad.

HaHa! I see that a lot too! When I see one of those print-outs I just hurry and leave and get to the next sale.

I live in a Perfect area that has 1000's of garage sales on Fridays and Saturdays. We usually hit about 100+ sales on Friday and about 200+ sales on Saturday. We average about $400 worth of profit per weekend and have a lot of fun doing it. Some weekends we have even made over a $1000 !!!

Anyway, like I said in the chat-room...nice to have some fellow Garage Sale Shoppers on the forum! :D

[philly387]

lol...love the filename

Maybe that will be my new thing, since ebay is now my hobby and not my job. Might go find some cheap stuff It is about that time of the year too!

[jamblix]

When I first started on eBay I went to swap meets bought junk and resold it. Mostly records and antique cameras. I found a Leica Summitar 5cm lens in almost perfect condition. Guy sold it to me for $15 bucks and it got resold for nearly $300.

(edit: HAHA picture tag of those bikes. So that's where my bike went...)

[Shambleau]

OK I will admit going to a number of local garage sales and picking up the odd bit of interesting junk and selling it on ebay in between running out of "real stock" to sell. Am fortunate that I live in an area where there are always garage sales going on and can walk from one to the other....One of the better bargains was buying a piece of clothing (new) for 10 cents - sold it on ebay for AU$150 - and it wasn't even "designer" Guess that was when I became well and truly hooked :-)

I know there are a lot of really good "bargains" out there - just takes time and a bit of patience and a little bit of luck ;-)

Guess I should check some out this weekend...

[TGMT²]

One Great thing about Garage/Yard Sales that most don't think about is getting Free Gifts for your packages to increase your DSR scores.

_______________________________________

Some of the items you can easily buy for under a $1. are...

Note Cards, Greeting Cards, Unopened Sports Cards

DVD's and CD's, Playing Cards, Dice

Golf Balls, Golf Tee's, Pedometers, Bobble Heads

Toys, Key Chains, Mini Flashlights, Glow Sticks/Lights

________________________________________

Also by giving Free Gifts in your packages, customers seem to feel better about paying shipping charges when they are not getting free shipping.

All my DSR Scores are above 4.9 and I never offer free shipping unless its a item that will absolutely not sell without it.

[Sandy D]

I do this daily if I can.

I hit all the local thrift stores and always find something to resell.

I found a WWI helmet at a local thrift store for 4.99 and re sold it on ebay for 130.00 bucks.

Last week end yard sale finds:

Depression glass pitcher for 5.00 ( Sold for 45.00 )
Fire King jadeite green cups in original box for 15.00 ( sold for 160.00 )
Wind Up Toy for 3.00 ( sold for 45.00 )
Fostoria Candlestick holders at a local good will between yard sales for 9.99 ( sold for 60.00 )
Black Forest Wall Clock 25.00 (sold for 90.00 )
Box of 65 post cards for 5.00 ( sold one native american post card for 40.00 and several Florida post cards for 3-4 bucks each.
Porcelain Napa sign for 10.00 ( sold for 35.00 )
North Carolina Pottery 1930's candle holder for 3.00 (sold for 32.00 )
Bag of Cub Scout pins for 6.00 ( sold for 42.00 )
1930's ragged baseball glove for 2.00 ( sold for 27.00 )

I love doing this, I used to do this with my grandpa who taught me a ton about finding little gems. He knew something about everything and would drill it into my head over and over about collectibles and antiques.

Anyone can do this, all you need to do is follow your skills or knowledge of a product.

I see many people pass over items at yard sales that I just about die to get to. They pick it up look it over and sit it back down ( oh yea!)

Of course none of us can find something high dollar every single time we go out looking that makes a decent amount, but I always find several smaller things I can make a few bucks on.

[Sandy D]

Originally Posted by TheyGotMeToo

LMAO!

Did anyone else "right click" and "click properties" on that bike picture and read the file name? :D LOL

I think I just wet my pants looking at that.

I wondered where my kids bike went.

[ILovePaypalNOT]

I jsut bought a Louis vuitton bag for $5 at a garage sale ,same one is on ebay right now for $400

[Lyda]

I hope you were certain it was an authentic one...

[makaveliagain]

I buy somethings from discount retailers, TJMax, Ross, Marshalls, etc. Usually these are best as eBay store items to be patient with sales. I am not an antique picker so I stay away from the estate and garage sales. For me 95% i see is the junk 5% i like is retail plus some.

[LoopHole]

Hahahahahaha man that picture made me laugh.... especially the file name.

I think i really need to get out there some more. You guys are finding some great stuff out there!!!

Originally Posted by oge

Yea I like garage sales but it's alot of work and alot of looking through garbage to find the gold. I prefer auctions that's where I get about 80% of my inventory. I guess I like to "look" at garage sales I mean I guess that's what ends up happening when all I see is high price junk lol.

Do you go to local auctions? Or online?

Oh wow............. came in here thinking this thread was recent...... Im an idiot.

[GreenBean]

The joys of bumping posts............