how to find a Garage/Rummage/Estate sale

A reader contacted me over the weekend to tell me how frustrated she was about only shopping in Thrift Stores. She has trouble finding rummage sales and estate sales and asked if I would do a post about how to find sales. I love thrifting in any form and that includes thrift stores but I do love a balance of garage sales, estate sales, rummage sales and thrift stores. Here are some tips on how to find the sales.

My top two favorite ways to find a sale include the local Newspaper and our local Craigslist.

I subscribe to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat just for the Garage Sale Ads. I subscribed to their Thursday through Sunday edition which are the exact days that I need the ads. I didn't subscribe for months but found the online edition for the ads very cumbersome. I much prefer to old school style of walking out of my front door, grabbing the paper and sitting at the dining table with highlighter in hand.

The night before any thrifting day I will also sit at the computer and look through the Craigslist ads at the computer.

I first click on my area which in the San Francisco Craigslist would be North Bay. I then click on Garage Sale which is under For Sale. I next type in Estate in the Search For box at the top. Other searches include:

• Books
• Vintage
• Christmas
• Old
• Retro
• Rummage

If any sales look interesting I copy and paste them into an email or blank Word document. When I have all the sales that look hopeful, I print them off. Many people will only place their ads in the newspaper. Yet many people will only place a post at Craigslist. I want to make sure not to miss any sales which is why I look at both. At that point with my Craigslist favorites and newspaper ads marked I will plan my route for the day.

Here are other ways to find out about Sales:

• Bulletin Boards
• Church Newsletters
• School Newsletters
• Estate Sale Mailing List (sign up either at the sale or on their website)
• Facebook (some people are creating FB Events for their Garage Sale)
• Call local Churches and ask if they have a yearly rummage sale. They may even have the date already in the calendar.
• Website: Yard Sale Search I was really impressed at how many people are using this site. My area is full of sales for next weekend. That's a great sign that this site really works. I've seen other types of sites but only have a single sale from three months ago. I'm going to add this to my weekly routine of searching for sales.
• Watch for signs on street corners.

Do you have any other ways to find sales? What's your favorite way to stay informed about sales?

Comments

[Ashley Ann]

Some of the best sales I've ever found have been from sign following. Not knowing where I'm going to end up makes it feel like a real treasure hunt!

[Jane]

I always wondered how you found so many sales on the weekends! Thanks for the tips!

xoxo
Jane

[sraikh]

Oh another keyword for craiglist is church.
I love church rummage sales.!

[Robin R. ;-)]

Thanks for the Yard Sale Search website - that could come in handy. Another site is www.estatesales.net. If you sign up on that site, it will email you a list of estate sales in the areas you choose. It is limited to whomever lists on their site but it usually has at least 3-4 in my area each week.

[Van]

Love this post, I need to make a habit of strolling Facebook for deals. Especially "Free Junk" - always fun!

I also love the Yard Sale Treasure map:

http://yardsaletreasuremap.com/

It searches local craigslist and Facebook postings to give you the best Garage Sales. You can even type in keywords like "Mid Century Modern" or "writing desks" if you're looking for specific items.

[DogsMom]

And get on the mailing list for your local auctioneers. Some will even have regular sales with prices marked if there is not enough for a full auction.

[sara jane]

Another vote for estatesales.net.

I also highlight and copy my selections into a word document, and then print it out. (though I just got an iPhone and am ready to try that out next time I'm out sale-ing).

[Dianne]

Auctions that are selling estates, not a lot of dealer dead merchandise, are by far the best way to get the very best deals and fresh stuff. Nobody seems to mention auctions.

[Selena Cate]

Hi Dianne, Ive attended one estate auction in Seattle and the prices were 3-4 times higher than a regular estate sale. I also saw a lot of people getting emotionally into their bidding. I sort of vowed never to attend one again. But perhaps I should revisit this way to thrift. Although I must say that I havent run into an estate auction in Sonoma County since I moved here. We do have an auction house but it is on Saturday morning and that is prime estate/rummage/garage sale time. Thanks for the reminder though. I can imagine that in some communities this is a perfect way to buy from estates.
xoxo Selena

[DogsMom]

Auction companies each draw their own particular crowd. Some draw people with deep pockets and others usually draw smaller crowds of thriftier people. For a while you have to go with the idea of watch and learn. Do not be disappointed not to win if prices go ridiculously high. Soon enough you will figure out which auctioneers to follow with some thought of successfully winning without blowing budget.
Here in cooler climates fall auctions are fun if you don't mind dressing in layers.