The Space Guru's Guide to Garage Sales
My best tips for shopping with intention
If you’re a new to me reader, you may be wondering what garage sales have to do with addressing long held beliefs and behaviors. But, one of my favorite ways to help people Unstick their Story is through their belongings. I do that through space consultations, writing and workshops. Sometimes, we need a little nudge from our outer belongings to help support those big changes in our internal landscape.
With that in mind, I thought I’d share some tips for my favorite season of the year: Garage Sale Season. Depending on where you live, you may be able to indulge in such things year-round. But, where I live, the month of May brings lilacs and garage sales, and I celebrate both! Whether you are an old-pro, like me, or dipping your toes in the water due to our current economy, I hope you’ll find some inspiration.
First up, let's go over the basics:
Wear comfortable shoes, weather appropriate clothing and sunscreen
This is not the time to be your most fashionable. That can come later. Throw on your comfiest shoes, wear layers so you can adjust to temperatures throughout your adventure and don't forget the sunscreen, sunglasses and baseball cap or sun hat on those extra sunny days.
Bring cash in small and medium denominations
Don't expect to make change at the sales. Come prepared because they may not be.
Carry an empty tote bag
This is especially relevant for larger neighborhood sales, where you walk from sale to sale. You'll need something to gather your stash between sales in close proximity and trips to the car. Only applicable for small items, obviously. If you plan on shopping for larger items, you can always bring a wagon or a donkey.
Empty your car in advance
Trust me. The last thing you want is not enough room for that beautiful piece of antique furniture because of the dog's kennel and the bags on their way to Goodwill. Ask me how I know. Empty the damn car.
Map your route
If you have the benefit of access to a list of sales and their featured items, use it and plan your route accordingly. If you'd rather wing it, prepare to drive around aimlessly using only your inner bargain detector as a compass.
Determine if you are going just for fun or going on a mission and pace yourself accordingly
If you're going for fun, grab a cup of coffee and a pal and casually stroll the neighborhood. If you're on a mission, forget the mochas and chitchat and stay focused.
Stay hydrated
Don’t forget to drink water, especially on hot days, but don't drink TOO much, too quickly, unless you have a porta potty in your trunk.
A Deeper Dive:
Go early and/or stay late
You'll get the best options if you go when sales open, but you'll get the best deals if you go when sales close. If you're up for it, aim for both ends---especially at neighborhood sales where you can weave your way through the day and double back to the best sales.
Inspect items so you know what you're getting
Remember that these items have not been vetted for resale and may have holes, scratches, chips, broken pieces, etc. Sometimes that's part of the charm, but give things a once over, just in case that kind of charm isn’t your thing.
Know your sizes
Unless you plan on turning the neighbor's hedges into your personal dressing room, just know your sizes and take a risk on purchases. The other option is wearing appropriate base layers to try on items on top.
Know your style
This is not the time to evaluate if you prefer Rococo or Mid Century or skinnies vs flares. The most cohesive choices for your home and closet will be made if you are adding to an established vibe. That said, it's also a good time to be experimental, if the price is right. You just don't want to end up with a bunch of style choices that looked cool in someone's garage but don't translate to your aesthetic. Step away from the sequin hippo statue.
On Pricing:
Know your prices. Know your brands
If you have no idea what something would go for new, you don't know if something is a good deal used. Sometimes that doesn’t matter, but it's helpful to have a slight idea, so you don't accidentally invest in dollar store diamonds.
Forget logic when it comes to pricing
Does it make sense that I paid more for a tiny, (albeit new in box) loofah sponge than I did for a Cashmere sweater. No. No, it does not. It makes even less sense that I paid fifty cents for the sponge and a quarter for the sweater. Prices will be all over the place at various sales. Pay what things are worth to you and don't try to make it make sense.
Don't be afraid to offer less than marked
Most garage sale culture allows for a little bargaining, so don’t be shy about making an offer, especially later in the sale. When things are unmarked, offer what you want to pay. In both cases, be respectful and ethical. Don't rob people under the guise of bargain hunting. That's not cool.
Be discerning
If you wouldn't buy it for more, don't buy it for less. In other words, don't get it JUST because it's cheap. It’s fine to experiment with purchases, but still be intentional.
And finally, perhaps the most important tip:
Buy freely. But edit firmly.
As long as you have a good sense of your personal style, give yourself permission to buy some "maybes," at decent prices. Not sure where that lamp is going to go, but it's fabulous? Get it! A big part of the fun of sales is gathering the goods and seeing how they fit into your spaces and closet. It's a grand experiment and there's going to be both hits and misses, so buy freely (within your budget). But once you've gathered all those treasures over the season and experimented, edit firmly---let go of anything questionable, things that don't quite fit or fit in, items you've now replaced with new goodies. Curate your collections. Keep the best, release the rest. Maybe you could even have a garage sale...