Finding Antiques at Yard Sales

The spring season has finally spring and if you’re like me, you know what that means! We’re no longer limited to a series of indoor estate sales and auctions. There will be yard sales and garage sales from now through the fall, with a few town-wide vents scattered in between the regular weekend happenings.

And you know (or should know) the routine. You have to keep your eyes peeled for things that might actually be valuable - like antiques and collectables. Sadly, a lot of people have no idea what they’re throwing away, and it’s your job to find it.

Today I want to offer just a few tips to help you out as you start browsing the yard sales.

• First of all, drag your butt out of bed early and hit the road. Some yard sale enthusiasts will be waiting on people’s lawns as they set up. This is sort of rude. I don’t recommend being pushy, but arriving just as a sale is starting is perfectly acceptable.
• Take some antique books with you. If you know you’re looking for something specific you can look it up and make a comparison before you make a purchase. Having a book or two in the car (or even your laptop of you have a wi-fi connection) will help you to ensure you don’t overpay for something you know is valuable.
• If you’re collecting to resell, don’t buy anything you aren’t sure about. If you’re collecting for yourself, and you can’t tell if something is really an antique, don’t buy it unless you really love it. If you like it enough, does it really matter if it’s an antique?

Finally - the most important tip I can give you is to always be polite. People are dumping the contents of their homes onto their lawns for you to sort through and enjoy. Bargain fairly and never speak in a rude manner. No one is obligated to sell you anything!

Remember - one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Have fun!