Thursday June 28th

I found an ad in yesterdays paper that said MANS yardsale,tools,carparts,yard tools Thur.Fri.Sat. Sounded like it was right up my alley, so at 8:30am I jumped in the car and took off. I found the place with no problem and true to the ad there were lots and lots of tools some new, some used. Trouble was the guy had a high price tag on nearly everything. There were a couple of impact wrenches I would have liked to have had, but I could buy them cheaper from online sources so it was no bargain. I did come away with a trailer hitch cover for 50 cents and I had a nice chat with the yard sale owner who was an older fella that liked mechanics about as much as I do. It was an enjoyable trip just wish he had been cheaper on his stuff, he could have sold me a lot of things if he had been more reasonable.

Storage Sales

Yet another kind of yard sale is the storage sale. The storage sale is where someone has rented a storage room at a self storage place and for one reason or another wants to get rid of everything in the storage room. I find storage sales to be the most messy of all yard sales as everything on display is out in what little space there is and you have to step over and dodge around things to see whats there (sort of like walking around in my basement)still theres usually lots of good deals on furniture at these types of sales as most are from people leaving town and dont want the added expense of moving everything.

Friday June 22

Set off this morning going west of town just looking for signs. Spotted an antique firetruck with a yard sale sign in the front yard. Tools! I'm thinking as I drove up, there was even a 1920's Ford in the garage but alas no tools. Just goes to show everythings not what it appears to be. I did find a real nice camera tripod complete with balance and tilt plate for a dollar. Continuing on down the road I found another yard sale, didnt seem to be anything there but a bunch of old clothes but I stopped anyway you never know what might be sitting around. I'm glad I did, I picked up 2 real nice floor fans for a buck each something I can use in this hot weather. That was all I found today. I went to several others but there was nothing there but household knicknacks, still 3 dollars for a tripod and 2 floor fans was a good deal so I went home a happy camper.

Moving Sales

By far the best kind of yard sale is the moving sale. A moving sale is simply that. Someone is moving and they want to clear out as much stuff as they possibly can. I find a lot of good bargains at moving sales. The good thing about a moving sale is the fact that because they are moving and want to unload all those things, prices will be cheaper. They know that they only have a couple of days so time is not on their side, and most are willing to drop the price a little if you're really interested in something, besides if they don't sell their items they have a choice of taking it with them, storing it which costs money, giving it away, or either taking it to the dump (also costs money). Moving sales offer the best chances to pick up some nice furniture at rock bottom prices as well as things like riding mowers and appliances.

Times of Yard Sales

Most yard sales are held on weekends usually on Friday and Saturday. I've seen a few that started on a Thursday but the over all best day to go is a Friday. Go early, the early bird catches the worm meaning you'll get a better selection if you get there before everybody else. I have found that the majority of yard sales start between 8 and 9 o'clock and I have seen quiet a few ads that tell you not to come earlier or call before hand. With me, I leave the house around 8:30 figuring that by the time I get there it will be close to opening if not open already.

Friday June 8th

Found a yard sale close by in the local paper, so I decided to mosey on over and check it out. When I arrived at 8:50 there were a round 5 other cars in the yard. Hmmm theres a jetski sitting out there! looked interesting. The jetski wasnt for sale and neither was the pressure washer beside it. (mumble grumble) oh well, continued on up in the yard, there were about 10 coolers sitting out there for sale, I'm thinking these folks either drink a lot or fish a lot. Walking on inside they had various pieces of worn unfinished furniture all priced too high. There were a few tables of outdated computer parts, 4 sets of golf clubs, and a few gun cases, nothing that interested me, so I was about to leave when I looked down and there behind the coolers was a Havahart squirrel trap. I'd been wanting one for a couple of years as I have several pecan trees in my backyard and the squirrels strip every single nut off of them every year. I bent down and picked it up and there on the bottom was a 3 dollar price tag. I promptly paid the lady the 3 bucks and walked away smiling. Those traps go for 40-45 bucks in the local home improvement stores are made of galvanized steel and last a lifetime. I made a good find there and went home happy.