Consumer Watch: How to best shop garage and yard sales

Ellen Phillips

Perhaps some readers used last week’s hints to score buys at a local flea market, estate sale or antique mall. If you’re like me, you also enjoy garage or yard sales.

* Newspapers, Craig’s List, freebie papers, email sign ups, roadside signs provide advance notice so you can make plans.

* If you arrive early (a good idea, since most yard sales begin in advance of the posted start time), be courteous. Ask if they’re ready for browsing, unless other customers already have the jump on you.

* Most sales are pretty picked over within a couple of hours, so grab first and decide later. A big tote bag will come in handy.

* Know what you’re looking for. If you read only on a Kindle, don’t waste time going through paperback books. If you’re looking for toddler clothes, grab all in sight. Go through them before purchase, and put back what you don’t want. The idea is to prevent other shoppers from getting the choicest pieces before you. (I know, gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins; however, I also believe “heaven helps those who help themselves.”)