Trash or Treasure?

One mans trash is another mans treasure. What exactly does that mean? I define the old saying as meaning what is useless to one, could be valuable to another. This saying runs true and is at the front of ones mind when browsing through a flea market, yard sale, or second hand store.

I have found countless “treasures” at flea markets and yard sales. It is amazing how thrifty these treasures were. So then it brings this question to mind. Why doesn't everyone shop at flea markets, yard sales, and thrift stores? In todays economy wouldn't everyone want to save a buck or two maybe even more?

Shopping second hand is a terrific way to save money but still not have to sacrifice quality. Why not buy something you really love and pay 50 to 95% less than what you would pay in a department store? If you are looking for something specifically and you need it yesterday then perhaps going to a regular retail store to buy it would make sense. However if you can take a couple of hours on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday morning, chances are you will find what you need at your local thrift shops, garage sales, and flea markets for over half the price of what you would have paid in a department store.

Why is it that you can buy things in flea markets, garage sales, or thrift stores for almost nothing? Is it because the items are junk, stolen goods, or outdated product? The answer is usually no, you get amazing buys at these places because people are looking to get rid of “extra stuff” they have accumulated and don't need anymore, or in the case of a vendor they may have bought a lot of items wholesale and are looking to reduce inventory. For whatever reason, it is you the shopper who benefits greatly from these super sales.

The consumer needs to be aware that these deals or great finds are not uncommon. They are out there every day waiting to be found. I use to spend hundreds of dollars on back to school clothes for my son. I found that visiting my local flea market there were vendors that sold name brand clothing for over half off the price I was paying at the mall or department store. So why you might ask would anyone shop retail? Many people are not aware that these bargains exist or they think they may have to rummage for hours to find them. This usually isn't the case.

Flea Markets now a days are set up almost like shopping malls. The vendors usually display what they are selling with sale signs and prices. In some flea markets, these vendors are separated into sections i.e.; beauty supplies, housewares, textiles, clothing, etc..and most have maps of the market so you can head over to the section that interests you most. However, I must add this may take all the fun out of your shopping experience. If you have the time, you can make a day of it at almost any flea market. Usually, in the center of the market, there will be a food court. This means half way through your shopping experience, you can stop for a hot dog and a soda, and if you are lucky, there may even be a funnel cake vendor sprinkling powdered sugar over a steamy hot pastry. This part of the day is my personal favorite!

Yard, garage, rummage, or estate sales are usually small enough you can peruse through the items in less time then it would take to park you car at the local mall or Walmart. These sales are usually where you can save the most money. This is because the sellers want to get rid of "extra stuff”. This stuff becomes clutter in their homes that they just don't use or need any longer. It becomes their own “trash” except instead of throwing it to waste they try to profit a little by selling it. These people don't normally research what something is worth. They slap a price sticker on it with what they think they can get and wait for someone to come along and buy it. Then someone comes along and finds the item to be exactly what they were looking for and it becomes a great find, an amazing deal, a treasure!

If you aren't the shy type, you can really get a lot of bang for your buck shopping flea markets and garage sales. The reason being is the art of negotiation. The people managing these sales do not want to pack up their stuff at the end of the day and take it home. So not only are the items you find already at a discounted price, with a little negotiating you can lower the price even more. I recommend shopping towards the latter part of the day because that is when you can obtain your best deal. You can use your negotiation skills at second hand stores as well, as these shops usually have items coming in daily from donations. It is important for these stores to change their merchandise around and keep it looking fresh to entice shoppers to return often.

In todays economy, people need to get the most for their money. If you are new to the second hand shopping experience I would highly recommend you give it a shot. Wake up on Saturday morning and take a ride through your neighborhood. Chances are you will see quite a few garage/yard sale signs. Stop by these sales and check them out. I guarantee you will be surprised at what you might find and how cheap it will cost. Look in your local paper for locations of flea markets and second hand stores. Take a few hours to swing by these establishments and browse around. You will be amazed when you realize how much money you could be saving and you will be hooked! Take your new found treasures home,enjoy them, and all at a fraction of the cost of retail. Happy Hunting!