Yard Sales or Treasure Hunts?

My sweet friend Christy Ann emailed me recently to brag on her amazing yard sale finds! She sent a photo of some of the items – but couldn’t fit them all in one photo! She spent $17 and these are just some of the things she got:

• Electronic Taboo board game
• 1980s Trivial Pursuit game
• Large brass key with fish on it (might hang with new aquarium)
• 6 Oneida silverware
• 3 Royal Velvet never-used hand towels
• 4 Assorted small glass bottles
• 1 Spring blossoms small Pyrex baking dish in perfect condition
• 2 tennis balls for dog Rory – free!
• Hallmark singing Christmas decoration
• Large hardcover dog book
• 4 Reams of ribbon
• 3 Talbots shirts – NEW!
• 1 Sterilite storage container – new
• (not pictured) 4 Rolls of new Hallmark wrapping paper
• (not pictured) New lacrosse stick (for school)
• (not pictured.) Small bag of paperclips, stapler, staples, tape (for school)
• (not pictured) Medium wooden mirror

This is a great example of all the wonderful things you can get at yard sales. This is a wonderful Saturday morning activity to share with family or friends. People are always getting rid of things – for various reasons – and, their trash can be your treasure! 

Here are a few tips for how to score big at yard sales: 

1. Check your local newspaper and any online sources (Craigslist, community bulletin boards, etc.) for yard sale listings. Many people advertise the week before the sales will occur. If you plan to go to more than one sale, plan out a route that makes the most sense based on where you live, where the sales are, and the times listed in the advertisements. Make a list of items you might be interested in seeing at each sale – that way, you don’t miss anything!
2. Remember that times are not set in stone! Serious yard salers show up EARLY, so, if a sale is listed as starting at 8 am, serious yard salers will show up at 7, just to check things out. This is important for you to know if you are seeking a particular item, or, if you are ever hosting a yard sale.
3. Don’t be afraid to call ahead. Many advertisements include a listing of items, or types of items, the seller will be including in the sale. If something strikes your interest and you want to inquire, call (if possible). Most sellers would love to get rid of an item early. And, this way, if the item doesn’t end up being quite what you’re looking for, you don’t waste precious time on Saturday morning looking at it.
4. Always carry cash.
5. Don’t be afraid to negotiate. The worst thing that can happen is that someone tells you “no”. Either way, you’re probably getting a great deal. If the price of something doesn’t suit you for an item that you’d really like, consider coming back towards the end of the sale. Many sellers will cut their prices (often times in half) in the last hour or two of the sale, just to get rid of as many items as possible. However, understand that the item may be gone when you return.
6. If you plan to buy a large item, but will not be able to take it immediately, speak to the seller before making the purchase. This is important, as you want to make sure that the seller agrees to keeping the item for a few more hours (or days).

What are your best yard sale tips and secrets?

Coming soon…

Tips for having your own successful yard sale!

Consigning for cash!

This week, I took one look into my closet and about passed out. It looks like a bomb went off in there! I just have way too many clothes. See for yourself... 

Okay, stop judging me. 

I think everyone out there has had a time when they realize, I need to purge my closet! And it is then, my lovelies, that you have the perfect chance to make a little extra cash. In a situation where a lot of people just pile their unwanted garments into bags and drop them off at the nearest Goodwill, take this opportunity to put in a little extra work and get paid for your clothes! 

I regularly take my clothes to a couple of area consignment shops and it is always a worthwhile experience - especially when I go back weeks later to collect my check! So, here are a few tips for all of you out there. If you have never tried consigning your clothes before, you should definitely try it! 

1. Search out shops in your area. Visit their websites for information on how to consign your garments and whether you will receive a percentage of the sale's price or a flat upfront price for your items. Practices vary widely from shop to shop - some stores require garments to be ironed and on hangers, some do not. Payout percentages to consigners vary also, in my experience, from around 40 - 60%. 

2. Consider only shops that pay a percentage of the sale price to you, the consigner. In my experience, shops that pay a flat rate to you for your clothes (places like Plato's Closet) do not pay much compared to those that give you a percentage of your sales.

3. Visit the shops where you are considering consigning your garments. Look at their overall merchandise and their prices. Is the shop in a good area? Do they seem to move merchandise quickly in and out? Do they ever have sales or promotional offers? Are there other shops nearby? Higher end consignment shops may pay a lower percentage back to you, but may guarantee a higher price for your items, because they draw a large clientele of upscale shoppers. Sometimes, these places are worth taking a lower percentage payback because prices are higher (so it all evens out in the end). For example, 50% payback of a $20 top is $10, but, so is the 40% packback if that same top is priced at $25. 

4. Look at your pieces very carefully and consider what you will try to consign. It is best to take items that are unaltered (we have all tried on things that we thought were our size, only to find out they'd been hemmed or taken in and they didn't fit us, right?). Also make sure that there are no stains or problems with the garments and that, of course, everything has been laundered appropriately. Additionally, most shops, especially higher end ones, ask that garments be current styles - no more than 2 years old. At times, it can difficult to tell how old your clothes really are (especially if you are like me and you have too many to remember quite when you got them!). However, in the last few years many designers have started putting season codes on their labels... but sometimes they are hidden so you have to know where to look! On many labels, for example, these codes can be found on the back tag of the garment, on the underside. Below, I show a J.Crew tag. The very last line indicates the season - SP 10 = Spring 2010.

5. When you take your items in to be considered for consignment, don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions, especially if it is your first time consigning at that location. Most stores will attempt to sell your items for a certain number of weeks before pulling them. Make sure to clarify to the shop staff whether you want unsold garments returned to you or donated to charity. Make sure you understand how the payment works - will they mail your check or should you come by after a certain amount of time to pick it up? Will any sales will held during the time your items are in the shop and if so, what will the possible discount be on your items (it is often good to know this, just to understand if it is possible that your items could be sold at a reduced price, thus lowering your payout). 

6. Think beyond clothes. Many consignment shops take shoes, jewelry, and purses. And larger shops may accept household items and furniture.

Consigning your clothes can be a little bit of work, but good reward! Happy money-making!

Deals of the Day!

I regularly like to peruse the selection of stuff on Goodwill's online auction site, shopgoodwill.com. They usually have a LOT of stuff and, sometimes, you find something really great!

Today, they seem to have quite a few quality secondhand items on the site... So, I thought I'd give you a sampling. This way, you can all see how worth wild it can be to keep an eye on this site! 

8 Vineyard Vines ties. Last (winning) bid was $100.  These ties are $75 each online. So, someone got a STEAL a bought 8 for a little more than they could buy 1. Amazing!!

Diane von Furstenburg carry-on/small suitcase. Still 5 days on auction. Current bid only $9 (although shipping is a good bit on this item)!!

Lilly Pulitzer jacket. So adorable! 2 days left on auction - currently only $11.50!

Pottery Barn cheese knives set. New in the box. Currently no bids and the first bid starts at just $4! 

Kitchenaid stand mixer. Auction ends in just 5 hours and bid is only at $56. This would be a steal!! 

2 pairs of Coach sandals. New looking! $60!

A couple of tips:

I have a post-it note (or 3) full of brands that I like to keep an eye out for. I have them on my wall right next to my computer, so, when I go on the site, I can search for each one quickly (without that lag time of "now WHAT other brands would I want to look for?"). I highly suggest doing this! And don't just limit your brands to clothing - the site is full of housewares and other great finds! 

Just like on e-bay, there is a "watch list" feature that you can use, as long as you are signed into the site. However, unlike e-bay, it does not remind you when the auction time on an item is about to end, so, you need to make sure you pay attention and check back on your "watch list" items regularly!

Pay careful attention to the shipping cost information. While some items might seem to be a great price, the shipping can be highly variable. Some items come from nearby and some come all the way from the West Coast (costing a good bit more). And, of course, remember that if something is heavier, it's definitely going to cost much more to ship - so, ultimately you have to decide if it's worth it or not! 

And, of course, there is no returning this stuff... so be careful! If you have any concerns about the quality or the condition of the item, consider your purchase wisely. Generally any clothing defects are noted on the listing... and Goodwill checks all electronics to make sure they work, before posting them! 

Happy hunting!!

Revente sale to benefit Sistercare

This local consignment shop in Columbia is one of my favorites. I have found some real treasures there and I have also taken many items there to be consigned.

Go by tomorrow night to find something fabulous and support a great local charity in the process!

Women Helping Women Please join us Tuesday, May 4,  from 5:00-7:00 pm and shop to benefit Sistercare! 20% of the sales will go to this organization. PS: Have dinner at Delaney's after shopping (right next door) and show your Revente receipt to receive 20% off your dinner (discount applies to food only). Many thanks to all for a fabulous 18 years............let's go for another 18! Revente 737 Saluda Ave. Columbia, South Carolina 29205-1647 803-256-3076 www.shoprevente.com

Friends - send me your great finds!

As much as I love to share with you the bargains and great steals I've acquired along the way, I equally love to see the fantastic finds that you have snatched up! And I hope that you'll share them with me! So that I can share them with everyone! Because let's face it, everyone loves to see a fantastic bargain find!

So please, if you have some great thrift/consignment finds, email pictures to me, along with a little description of the item(s) and where you found them - and I will be thrilled to post them here! I would love to be able to feature a guest find every week or two. And let's face it, it's your responsibility as a successful bargain hunter to allow the rest of us to lust after, um, be motivated by what you've found. So share away friends!

My very first guest find comes from my friend and neighbor Matt. He was thrilled to tell me about this great linen blazer that he found at a local Columbia Goodwill store. It was brand new - with tags still attached! Only $12! What a great find, Matt - you look like a million bucks! 

 

Oh, look what I stumbled upon on a recent thrifting excursion...

Sometimes when you go thrifting, you find things you never expected to find. Things you were never looking for in the first place. Things you never realized you would ever find in a thrift store! And, let me tell you, oh the joy that can come! 

That was exactly my experience this week when I popped into my neighborhood Goodwill for a few minutes. I really just wanted to walk around and unwind after a Monday of sitting at my desk and reading reports (ugh!). But what I stumbled upon was glorious... 

The Goodwill in my neighborhood often gets donations from Target. But, these donations are generally mostly clothes and shoes, which I tend to pay little attention to. But this week, they sent over some other things! Philosophy lotion and Bumble and Bumble hair products! I spotted these gems in a huge basket of stuff inside the jewelry counter and was elated to see that they were all new and unopened (and were priced SO low!). You can see the Target sale price tags still attached in the photos ($34.99 for the Philosophy lotion, $25.99 each for the Bumble and Bumble shampoos and hairspray) as well as the Goodwill price tags ($2 and $3.50). So, I snatched them up! And for $10.50, I left Goodwill with over $110 worth of hair and body products. Who doesn't love 90% off?

My Goodwill shoes...

Now, I know what you're thinking. Some of you, I dare say, shudder at the idea of buying shoes secondhand. Especially at Goodwill, right? I mean, Goodwill isn't the most, um, upscale place. Sometimes it smells. I get it. That is the exact reaction I had the first time my mother presented me with a pair of fabulous shoes she had found at Goodwill. Suuuure, they were gorgeous. Sure, they were expensive, but, they had come from Goodwill. And I was all sullen college student and, very unsure of why I would want to wear shoes from Goodwill! 

Well friends, I still have those shoes. Because, see, good shoes last. And cheap shoes end up in the trash. And, you can buy good shoes at a department store or online or anywhere else - and pay alot for them. OR, you can do what I do - you can be thrifty, and when you see a really great, quality pair at an unbelievable price, you snatch them up! 

I've never quite understood how really expensive shoes end up at Goodwill. Sometimes really expensive NEW shoes. Like these. 

 

I found these brand new Stuart Weitzman shoes at the Goodwill right up the street from my house recently.  And when I say brand new, I mean, the price tag was still on the bottom - the $298 price tag. So, I figured I'd shell out the $4 for them. Ha! Now, I DID have to polish the buckles, as they were a little tarnished. But, with about 10 minutes of work, using Wright's Silver Cream (which, if you don't have some at home, you should get some - it is good for EVERYTHING!), they looked as good as new. Below you can see my sophisticated technique for not damaging the suede...

Regardless of why beautiful shoes end up at Goodwill, I consider it my duty to give them a great second life. No matter how neglected or unloved they were by their previous owner (hag!), I promise to love them and treasure them. I have found some great shoes at Goodwill - ones I will continue to share with you in the future, hopefully to inspire you to get out there and search for great bargain finds of your own! But, if you still have some reservations about secondhand shoes, just remember, you are not alone. Just remember, we always have our dear friends Lysol and Febreeze - and that is generally enough to bridge the worry divide between you and that $300 pair of "used" kicks.