How to Become a Garage Sale Shopping Pro
The most important ability one must master to become a true garage sale shopping professional is the ability to negotiate. Like any skill, it takes time and determination to master the art of garage sale shopping. Some tips to help you become a master garage sale negotiator are to follow below.
Let’s say you wake up one morning and realize you need a writing desk in your living room; your budget is tight though, or maybe you prefer the character of used furniture to the new furniture you would find at your run of the mill Ikea store. Well, it sounds like it’s time to hit your small-town garage sales. There are tons of places to find used furniture in OC.
The first tip, don’t wear your nicest clothes to the sale. If you want to find the perfect piece of used furniture you must remember, don’t wear anything even remotely expensive. When you walk up the drive, ready to hunt for that picture-perfect writing desk you woke up itching for, you don’t want to look like you have money to blow. The garage sale host will be analyzing everyone that shops at their humble abode. You don’t want them buzzing around while you’re trying to make your first big find because they noticed your Michael Kors watch. Also, once you do find something that really catches your eye you’ll have more haggle power if they don’t automatically assume you are in a position to pay top dollar.
Tip number two, strike up a conversation with the host at the appropriate time. Timing is everything when it comes to small-town yard sales. Have a look around while maintaining an air of polite nonverbal body language and then once you know what you want, go in for the kill. Approach the host with a smile and a polite greeting. Remember all of these things were once loved possessions, complimenting their great taste will make them feel warmly towards you. Even go so far as to inquire about how their day is going. Mention you hope the sale goes well for them. Then compliment the item you would like to buy. Let’s say you found that perfect piece of used furniture, a writing desk that would fit great in your home. Now, this part is important, don’t overstate your desire to own faultless writing desk. Just mention that you like it and might be interested. This leads us into the third tip, don’t be the first to throw out a price.
A smart garage sale host won’t give you a price, they’ll ask you want you think it’s worth. That way you may potentially offer more than they would have asked for it. Do not be fooled by this trickery, instead ask them what an item like this is worth? This will put the ball in your court because they may offer less than you were originally thinking or you can always then take that opportunity to throw out a price you would genuinely be comfortable with. There may come a time where a price cannot be agreed upon. This can be very upsetting. You’ve now found this amazing piece of used furniture, you can already picture it in your home, but it’s out of reach price-wise.
This leads us to our fourth and final tip, you must always be willing to walk away. The willingness to walk away will solidify your buying power. The perfect piece of used furniture isn’t perfect if the price isn’t right.
One of my favorite spots to find used furniture is at Creative Office Design. You can find them at the address below:
Creative Office Design
15440 Laguna Canyon Rd. Suite 120
Irvine, CA 92618
714-328-7627