How to Get the Best Deals at Yard/Estate Sales!

Hey earth muffins! The fall and summer seasons are full of yard/estate sales. For someone who prefers second hand shopping, these are great places to find items you might be looking for. As you can tell from my latest collective haul, I’ve been doing quite a bit of yard sale shopping these past couple of months. In honor of it being Second Hand September, I thought it would be fun to share some of my best tips for scoring the best deals at yard/estate sales. I’ve tackled thrift shopping tips and even how to score finds on Facebook Marketplace, so I hope this post helps with another second hand shopping option. Yard and estate sales are some of my favorite places to find treasures, so I hope this is helpful to you all as well!

~Go shopping as soon as the yard/estate sales open!

The early bird truly does get the worm with second hand shopping. If a sale opens at 9 AM, I suggest getting there around that time. Not only will less people be there, but everything will still be at the sale. You get first pick from all the goodies! There is a bigger possibility that all the good items will be taken if you show up later in the day.

~Map out a route before you go.

Instead of aimlessly roaming around your city until you find a sign, I suggest having a route in mind before you go. Check out estatesales.net to scope out the major sales in your area. A lot of people advertise for yard sales on Facebook Marketplace as well. Once you have mapped out a few stops, stick to that route as you go shopping! If you find signs around the area you are driving, feel free to veer off and hit up those sales too.

~Hit up sales on the first day (for the most selection) or the last day (for the best deals).

In order to get the best deals at yard/estate sales, it is important to decide what your motive is. Are you looking for the most selection of items? If so, I would suggest going to sales on the first day they are held. And, like I mentioned above, show up right when they open too! On the flip side, if you are looking for the best prices and deals, I suggest going on the last day. Especially for estate sales, many places will do 50% off to clear out as much as possible!

~Only buy things you actually need!!

Even though you are shopping second hand, that doesn’t mean you should buy everything that catches your eye (or is a cheap price). Living a sustainable lifestyle is all about reducing your consumption – only buy what you actually need to get! I have found it helpful to have a list on my phone of everything I am looking for at the moment. From certain kitchen items to holiday decor pieces, this list stays on my notes app at all times. Whenever I am at a yard/estate sale, I’ll only buy items if they are on the list!

~Don’t be afraid to bargain with the seller.

A great way to score deals at yard/estate sales is to bargain for a lower price. This tip depends on the original pricing; if you think the prices were set too high, feel free to ask for a more reasonable one. If the prices are already fair, I would just hand over your cash. 😊 Especially since you are saving money by not purchasing an item new, sometimes it is better to support the seller with the full amount.

Final Tips for Yard/Estate Sales!

Yard and estate sales are some of my favorite second hand places to shop. You never do know what you are going to find! In terms of getting the best deals, the timing of when you go shopping is super important. But, don’t fall into the trap of overconsumption just because – keep a running list of what you need and stick to it. What are your favorite tips for scoring deals at yard/estate sales? Comment below and share some of the recent finds you have purchased!

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