braisler

The thread on Tilted Frugality got me thinking about garage sales. I grew up with my mom shopping garage sales for a lot of clothes and things we needed for our house. Through that experience, I learned that you can find just about anything that you want or need at a garage sale if you have patience and persistence.

For my fellow TFP garage salers, what is the #1 thing that you have found at a garage sale? Either #1 because it was such a great deal, or because it was special to you, or because it was so full of oddity and whimsy that it just made your day/week/year. Classified ads or Craigslist finds qualify too if you want to post those.

Here's mine: For years I've been wanting to get a high-end, gym quality rowing machine for my home use. I love working out on a Concept2 (like so:Concept2: The World's Best Rowing Machine) rowing machine at the gym. I enjoy the complete body workout that it gives with tremendous cardio and near zero impact. So I've been on the lookout, checking CraigsList, Ebay, etc. The problem is that, even used, these machines are expensive. Like $1000 retail, and even $500-600 on Ebay. Plus they are big and heavy, so shipping is difficult and expensive. Looking was all that I was doing about it because pulling the trigger on a $500-600 purchase wasn't easy.

I was out cruising some garage sales a few months ago. I stopped at one that honestly didn't look all that promising. But you never know what you'll find, so I got out for a look. It was so un-promising that my wife decided to stay in the car. I poked around the sale for a minute or so, then wandered up the lawn. There, tucked behind a 1950s scratched console TV, was a Concept2 Model C rowing machine. I've learned from the best to play it cool in these situations, so I asked nonchalantly, "How much for your little rowing machine?" "Oh, my husband never uses that anymore and the kids just sit on it and slide. How about $5?" "Ok." "Oh, and the display don't work." (She was right, it needed 1 AA battery to work perfectly.) My wife could tell something was up when I got back to the car and could barely contain myself. I paid the lady at the sale and had to drive home to get my truck to pick up the rowing machine.

That's my #1! What's yours?

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Lasereth

Wow that is an amazing deal. We used to go to yard sales all the time when we were little (me, my brother, sister, and mom). I haven't been to one in forever. I will say that some of my favorite toys I ever had as a kid were used stuff from yard sales that we bought with quarters.

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ColonelSpecial

My partner loves old board games. The older and more obscure, the better. While these games are usually $20-60 retail, we have found them for anywhere from $.25-5. Nothing as good as the rowing machine though.

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spindles

My wife trawled garage sales when our first sun was born. Best buy was a Macpac possum (like this, but an earlier model: Macpac Possum Baby Carrier Reviews Australia www.macpac.co.nz)

The lady selling it had been given it when leaving a job to go on maternity leave and had never used it (it was still in the plastic bag from the shop). My wife paid $100 for it (these retailed about $300) and we used it a lot, before selling it on ebay (5 years and two boys later) for $96 dollars.

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newtx

A few years ago I scored a Bang & Olufsen turntable in like new condition for $20. Really state of the art back in the day. I am still into vinyl lp's. I guess its an old fart sort of thing. 70's music just works for me on vinyl.

braisler

Spindles, you can't beat garage sales for used baby gear! We have gotten a whole lot of what my new son uses and wears at garage sales and online classifieds. He has all of the toys and books he could ever want, and we haven't gone broke buying it for him.

It is getting close to garage sale 'season' here. I guess it tells a lot about me that I'm looking forward to the season starting.

Anyone looking for something in particular this year?

hunnychile

Love the good older Bang & Olufsen stuff. Those Danes do nice work with electronics, desing & wood. Nice score!!

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genuinegirly

Visiting garage sales just as they're closing up shop is a great way to get things you want for cheap. I paid $27 for a set of six willow dining room chairs. I also was given a trunk of books and an antique but beaten-up armchair for free.

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snowy

I was helping a friend out with their garage sale when I noticed a Tiffany box. I have a few interesting boxes that I enjoy, so I picked it up because I wanted the box. My friend said she thought there was something inside, so I opened it to find a sterling silver money clip shaped like a looped golf club. She had priced it at $5, but gave it to me because I had helped her all day long. I resold it on Ebay for $120. I used a significant amount of the proceeds to take my friend out to a fancy steak dinner and a concert for her birthday. We had a great time!

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