Seattle garage sale and yard sale “season” is generally May-September. However, at any time of year, people can hold moving sales, estate sales, and consignment sales. So check our calendar list of upcoming sales below.
But first, we’ve got a few tips for shopping at garage sales. And, if you’re thinking about hosting a sale, we’ve got some advice for that below as well.
Tips for shopping at garage sales
Plan your route. Use the gslar.com map to plan a route for the day. Visit sales that are most likely to have what you are looking for.
Dress casually and low key. Don’t be too dressed up, wear expensive jewelry or a watch, or generally look like you are wealthy and can afford to pay whatever the seller is asking. However, don’t look like you just stepped away from housework or gardening, either.
Be hands free. Use a fanny pack, waist belt for runners, jacket with large pockets, or a crossbody bag…any method to hold money and valuables and leave both hands free for perusing, collecting, and paying.
Bring small bills and coins. Having correct change makes your day go faster.
Have a plan for large items. If you know you are looking for a large piece of furniture or another item, such as a spare refrigerator, have a plan in place for hauling the item. Be prepared to pay for the item and return the same day if needed to haul the item away. I once snagged an armoire because a woman left to find out if her hubby could haul the item, while I came along and paid for the item, and arranged for pickup later.
Early or late? …depends on your goals. If you are looking for specific things, go early to find the best stuff. If you are just browsing for a general list of items (“clothing”, “household goods”) or for items to re-sell (at your garage sale or online via craigslist or eBay), go late in the day to snag good deals on leftovers. (Read this article about How to sell stuff online via Craigslist and eBay.)
Learn to negotiate effectively. Be genuinely interested in the seller’s goods; avoid being over-anxious as well as over critical. Strike up a conversation by asking questions: ask about condition or history, inquire whether they can come down on the price of a large item, or ask if you can get a discount on several small items. Being kind and genuine will get you much further than being catty, insulting, or ungracious.
Be open to unexpected finds. If you see something that doesn’t exactly fit your goals, stop and consider it carefully. But don’t get too carried away. Remember your goals for the day, but consider how you might feel in the future, whether you buy the item or leave it behind.
Take a break. If you plan a whole day of garage sale trekking, plan to take a short break every couple of hours. Bring snacks and water. Review your progress so far and re-prioritize as needed for the remainder of the day. Do you need to skip a stop, or review your goals? Take a moment to do so.
If you’re not having fun, stop for the day. Be aware if you are feeling inpatient or discouraged. If a taking a break doesn’t perk you up, it may not be your day.
Map of Garage Sales from gsalr.com
Get a list of Seattle Garage Sales, Yard Sales & Estate Sales | gsalr.com from gsalr.com (pronounced “gee-saler”)—it’s the largest garage sale listing site on the internet.
If you’ve got the urge to spelunk and there’s no sale happening near you, check our list of Surplus stores, auctions, salvage, and recycled materials and Best used clothing stores in Seattle and Puget Sound.
Want to hold a garage sale?
Read these 19 tips for hosting a successful garage sale. Then add your garage sale at gsalr.com (see link above). Listing your sale is fast, easy, and best of all, listing your garage sale on gsalr.com is FREE. To add your sale to the map, just click on the “Add a Sale” button on the upper right corner of the map. Then follow the instructions. You can add photos to show off your best offerings.
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