2013 Yard Sale Thread

yourlefthand

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Thanks TSEL for info in the OP:

Post your hauls here and remember, pictures don't hurt!

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Yard Sale Tips:
-Expect to be out from 8-1 ish.

-If you hate getting up early, and if you have a hard time going to bed before midnight then go to CVS and pick yourself up some Simply Sleep (non-prescription, made by Tylenol, relatively cheap, completely safe/non-addictive and knocks you out).

-Definately do Saturday, with optional Sunday or Friday (if you don't work or go to school). Saturday is the main day though.

-Find websites for all of the news papers in your area (or get the papers themselves). Compile a list of yardsales-of-interest.

-More on the above point: Look for buzzwords like "Toys", "Games", and "Multi-Family" to help your chances. Alot of the time you'll see multi-family or community yardsales, which are a bunch of sales in one location.

-After you compile your list (anywhere from 20-40 sales), go to mapquest or yahoo maps and get directions from place to place. Plan out a route for the day.

-If you don't like the list method, then you can try driving around your surrounding towns looking for signs and sales. Try to stay in suburban areas (they usually have the best stuff).

-Never just "drive by". Most of the time, games are in boxes and aren't visible from the car.

-Try to get somebody to go with you, so you can have a driver and a navigator.

-Always have a bunch of 1's, some 5's, a bunch of quarters, and a checkbook (if you find a huge score).

-Cash in Face technique (CIF) If someone gives you a price on something that's not what you're wiling to pay. Walk around and look a little more get the cash ready that you're willing to pay and stick it in the persons face and say will you take (whatever price) for it? Sometimes when the cash is in their face, they opt to snatch up your offer. (Use at your discretion)

-(More on the above tip) The cash in face method is basically lowballing them - and as a tactic you basically hold out the money - and when they see the money being offered to them *held out as close to their face as possible without being rude about it* they'll usually accept. For example, if they're asking $10 and you offer them $5 while holding out a $5 dollar bill, their instincts might tell them to just take the money that they can physically see.

-(More on the above tip) When using the Cash in Face technique, group your bills together in your pocket or pockets. I usually put 5 or 6 fives folded in half and 20 singles folded in half in one pocket. This allows me to easily prepare with one hand my cash in face offer. Although the CIF technique is not always a success the element of suprise I beleive is the catalyst behind many successful transactions.

-Never give up. Most of the time you'll find shit at 38/40 sales and gold at 2/40. You never know what you'll find and when you'll find it, it's 100% random with no rhyme or reason.

-Always haggle, and always give an offer (the worst they can say is "no"). Also keep in mind what you would be willing to pay, but don't be too frugal.

-Always have the money to pay for your stuff with you. If you say "I'll come back and pay later", you could lose the sale!

-If something isn't marked, don't make the first offer. Always ask them what they want before you offer them anything!

-It doesn't hurt to be visibly nice when walking up to a sale. You never know if they'll have anything, and people are less willing to cut you a deal if they don't like you.

-Examine your items carefully before purchase - most cart games tend to need a serious cleaning

-If items do not have a price and you have to ask how much and the person hesitates with a response - just blurt out I'll give you a dollar or whatever.

-Multpile item purchases tend to get bigger discounts

-Always look in boxes - even boxes that look like they might not contain games and stuff.

-If you don't see any games or games stuff, always ask "Do you have any videogames" For whatever strange reason you tend to see a lot of spaghetti strainers and pie plates while the real goods are left inside. I think the majority of these sales are put together by women, and most of them don't even thing about busting out hubbies old video games

-Some people are insanely unreasonable and really believe some one will buy 10 yard fight for $5

-Some people are extremely knowledgable on the value of their stuff and will be fair but not stupid

-Some people will price things so reasonably you may just want to pay tha asking price because it really is a bargain

-Some people are stupid and really want to get rid of those old boxes of games etc. The thought of making $20 or $30 on a box of stuff or multiple items appeals to them much more then " will you take a quarter on this salt shaker?" (these are the kind of people I like)

-Remember the deals are out there and more often then not you need to be patient. You may not score anything one week but score multiple items the next

-(At your discretion) Sometimes you can knock a few bucks off of their asking price by pointing out the flaws of what you're buying (if a system is missing its hookups, for example).

-If you find yourself with a few dirty systems or cartridges, pick up a box of Mr. Clean's Magic Erasers. These things are cheap, ridiculously effective, quick, leave no residue, and don't damage what you're cleaning. They'll take off dirt, grime, marker, sticker glue, pretty much anything you can think of. You owe it to yourself to give these a try, you'll be impressed.

-It's a good idea to bring along USPS Postal Bins in your car. They are durable, free, and you can put stuff in them to keep it from rolling around in the back of your car (which often damages items). It will also make it easier to carry all your finds inside if you purchase a lot. If you find any cotton tshirts free or cheap, keep some in your trunk in the box to wrap glass or fragile items.

-If you have a cell phone, and you're spending a lot on your bill each month, look into getting a PDA style phone such as a T-Mobile Sidekick II. For $60 a month, I get 1000 minutes and unlimited Data plan. The phone is an invalueable research tool, and has saved me from making big mistakes while out on the hunt, and convinced me to purchase things I would have otherwise left at the Yard Sale or Thrift Store.

-It's always a good idea to keep some batteries and spare games in your car, so that you can test portable systems when you find them (GB/GG/GBA). Just make sure you take them with you at the end of the day if you intend to park your car in the hot sun!

-You might encounter some unspeakably filthy items in your travels, and with this in mind, it can be beneficial to keep a box of Baby Wipes or a bottle of Hand Sanitizer with you in your car. You never know what you're touching! Also, make sure and wash your hands as soon as you get into your house.

-If you're short on Yard Saling funds, you might fix the problem by recycling some cans and bottles! A lot of the finds out there are dirt-cheap to begin with, and if you (or your friends/family) drink a lot of soda, you could easily kill two birds with one stone.

- Go to different areas several weekends in a row to learn good areas (sales common and with okay stuff).

- ALWAYS go to sales the weekend after the previous weekend was rained out. The sales planned for the previous weekend often get cancelled and rescheduled for the nice weather weekend. This means the number of sales are more numberous (i.e. easier to find stuff as it can't "all" be picked over).

- Get up early and go. Get to the areas you go about the time (if not right before) the sun comes up. Yes, the early bird does get the worm. Why go to a sale at 9am when someone else got there at 7am and purchased the stuff you would want. Granted, you can get lucky from time to time at sales later in the day, but most often it's the first one there who gets it.

- TAKE CASH. Go the ATM the week before you go to sales to have cash on hand. Break some of the larger bills at a grocery/convienant store. Having some smaller bills on hand makes it easier to purchase smaller items quick and get to the next sale (especially in the early part of the day with the people at the sale may not have change too).

- (At your discretion) It doesn't hurt to ask "What's your best price on..." It comes across MUCH more polite than "I'll give you $5 for this."

- Ask if the people at the sale have anything of the type you are looking for. Even if they don't have it out, they may just not have got to it, or didn't think someone would be looking for the stuff.

- Drive defensively. Some people that go to sales are IDIOTS when it comes to the way they drive. We saw a lady driving up a street with only enough room for 1 car that blocked 13 cars. She had to back up. But, instead of just backing up and over to the curb, she backed up INTO the connecting lane and blocked it's traffic. Let's just say some people lose their minds when going to sales.

- When at a sale, if you are interested in something, then pick it up and hold it. Do no put it down unless you are sure you do not want it. Someone else may be just waiting for you to put it down and "think" about it (while they pick it up and buy it).

-Unless you are in a really good mood, and not hurting for time NEVER take your grandmother. I've seen mine spend an hour at one sale that had only five boxes of dishes and she didn't buy a thing!
 
Yesterday there was one community sale. Only a few video games purchases to talk about.

1) A DS game case with 4 cart only game - Super Princes Peach, Nintendogs, Tamagotchi 2, Hannah Montana
2) A PH NGC Paper Mario (w/o manual) for $10, I caved to sell it to pay for the day and travel

My first stop of the day netted me a Sonic plush, Knuckles plush, some pokemon figurines, 3 Pokemon comics, and (ironically enough) a NGC Paper Mario manual
 
[quote name='Ferrari Racer']I hate Indiana. So cold. Can't wait till April for sales to start popping up[/QUOTE]

x2 but insert Pennsylvania lol

btw is there a craigslist purchase thread? i got a pretty sweet deal today
 
NY here. And even though we've had a pretty mild winter for our area, I won't see any garage sales for a few months still.
 
[quote name='TheHeef']So far I've found...this thread.

I'm in Illinois. No one holds garage sales in this weather.[/QUOTE]

Don't worry, I have enough to post from last year to tide everyone over until the season starts. :lol:
 
I guess I'll need to start taking some weekends (or at least Saturdays) off and start exploring for deals. I've wanted to go yard sale shopping for years, but working retail kind of pulls the plug on that idea.
 
Where are all the warm weather CAG's with their saturday finds? I figured the season never ends in places like southern California, Arizona, Florida, etc. This is my favorite thread here. Cold weather stinks.
 
Florida a veeerry slim yard sale season. Only time it's viable is some of fall and winter, otherwise it's too swelteringly hot for people to sit outside holding them :
 
Interesting story...

Back in September, I found Lethal Enforcers (Sega CD) with BOTH Justifier guns at an estate sale for $6. I take them home to find out they don't work. I was so pissed, but for whatever reason, I hung on to them.

We just moved and now I have a different TV in my game room. I try the guns again and they work perfectly. Blew my mind! Turns out they didn't work on the flat CRT TV I was using, but on a curved tube TV, they worked fine.
 
[quote name='TheHeef']Interesting story...

Back in September, I found Lethal Enforcers (Sega CD) with BOTH Justifier guns at an estate sale for $6. I take them home to find out they don't work. I was so pissed, but for whatever reason, I hung on to them.

We just moved and now I have a different TV in my game room. I try the guns again and they work perfectly. Blew my mind! Turns out they didn't work on the flat CRT TV I was using, but on a curved tube TV, they worked fine.[/QUOTE]

this is why I never used my super scope :D didnt work on my tv and was a pain in the ass
 
7-8-12 finds (nope, not a typo) :lol:

This is my Genesis Lot. I was too late for his N64 lot. I can only imagine what it was like. Luckily my competition didn't see this lot as it was under a table.


Bought these to flip: (I ended up paying $15 total for everything)

Segalot3_zps2f7fccde.jpg



These are by far the cleanest/nicest genny games I have found...

And here is the lot:

Segalot_zps697d393a.jpg


Segalot2_zps5dafdca4.jpg


Segalot4_zps348426bf.jpg



Segalot5_zpsd4852936.jpg


Segalot8_zps77b9f577.jpg


Segalot11_zps85d847bd.jpg


Segalot9_zpsf063b985.jpg


Segalot7_zps1b94fb1d.jpg


Segalot6_zpsd785125a.jpg


Segalot12_zps0ad4dfb7.jpg


Segalot16_zpsd72b7082.jpg



:bouncy:
 
[quote name='ZombieToast']I know it's crazy, but you could just click on "Subscribe".[/QUOTE]

I can't find that button on mobile...
 
[quote name='slowdive21']7-8-12 finds (nope, not a typo) :lol:

This is my Genesis Lot. I was too late for his N64 lot. I can only imagine what it was like. Luckily my competition didn't see this lot as it was under a table.


Bought these to flip: (I ended up paying $15 total for everything)

Segalot3_zps2f7fccde.jpg



These are by far the cleanest/nicest genny games I have found...

And here is the lot:

:bouncy:
[/QUOTE]

Seriously, slowdive, nice grab. Landstalker remains in my all time Top 10.

Oh, and...COMIC SAAAAAAAAAAAAAANS! *shaking fist*
 
Thanks everyone! I wish the guy actually advertised games as I would have gotten his n64 lot too. Still happy to get the genesis stuff to put into my permanent collection!
 
[quote name='slowdive21']Thanks everyone! I wish the guy actually advertised games as I would have gotten his n64 lot too. Still happy to get the genesis stuff to put into my permanent collection![/QUOTE]

Are you putting all of it in your collection?
 
[quote name='TheHeef']Are you putting all of it in your collection?[/QUOTE]

For now. I know I have some of the SEGA games already, but they are all packed up from my move. I would only dump the junk stuff I already own.


EDIT: Just to show how far behind I am...I still have to post the rest of my finds (and the pics aren't even done yet)!
 
I'm looking at that post by theheef, and only seeing the hannah montana wii game pictured, and was like what genesis games. Man oh man must be a long day, but nice genesis find ;)
 
[quote name='robwhois']I'm looking at that post by theheef, and only seeing the hannah montana wii game pictured, and was like what genesis games. Man oh man must be a long day, but nice genesis find ;)[/QUOTE]

Yeah...I was typing this on my phone and trying to keep from reposting all the pictures. Guess I missed one.
 
[quote name='TheHeef']Seriously, slowdive, nice grab. Landstalker remains in my all time Top 10.

Oh, and...COMIC SAAAAAAAAAAAAAANS! *shaking fist*[/QUOTE]

At least it isn't Trajan or Papyrus.
 
Complete Atari 2600 Boxed (Dark Vader) w/ pac man
2 Game Gears with 12 games, case, charger, Game Geanie and Manuals
NES Case with 11 games

$35 Total
 
[quote name='slowdive21']


EDIT: Just to show how far behind I am...I still have to post the rest of my finds (and the pics aren't even done yet)![/QUOTE]

I made it to early September. I think my last sale of the year was the first weekend of November. I hate getting behind but I just have too much other stuff demanding my time. Hell, I'm not even sure I know where most of the stuff I picked up is stashed.
 
Went to a family yard sale today that they hold every year, of course it was in a building since this is indiana. Found a silver dvd case marked for a dollar that said 10+ gamecube games on it but was taped shut so I couldn't look at the games. Figured eh it's a buck, glad I got it there were 17 games total

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2
Pikmin
Super Mario Strikers
Super Smash Brothers
Mario Superstar baseball
Mario Power Tennis
Lego Star Wars
Pitfall the Last Expedition
Pac Man World 2
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3
Starfox Adventures
Shrek 2
Auto Modellista
Rocket Power Beach Bandits
Fifa 07 Soccer
NCAA 2003
MVP Baseball 2004

Sure it's just the disc only but every disc looks brand new, not even a finger smudge on it. About a nickel a game, can't complain.
 
[quote name='calister23']Went to a family yard sale today that they hold every year, of course it was in a building since this is indiana. Found a silver dvd case marked for a dollar that said 10+ gamecube games on it but was taped shut so I couldn't look at the games. Figured eh it's a buck, glad I got it there were 17 games total

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2
Pikmin
Super Mario Strikers
Super Smash Brothers
Mario Superstar baseball
Mario Power Tennis
Lego Star Wars
Pitfall the Last Expedition
Pac Man World 2
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3
Starfox Adventures
Shrek 2
Auto Modellista
Rocket Power Beach Bandits
Fifa 07 Soccer
NCAA 2003
MVP Baseball 2004

Sure it's just the disc only but every disc looks brand new, not even a finger smudge on it. About a nickel a game, can't complain.[/QUOTE]

I hate people that get rid of the cases, always keep the cases, but for that price it doesn't matter, I'll find the cases later, nice find
 
There haven't been too many yard sales since it's the winter season, but managed to go to one last week, and picked up all this for $25

2dl54rm.jpg
 
[quote name='evuong']There haven't been too many yard sales since it's the winter season, but managed to go to one last week, and picked up all this for $25

2dl54rm.jpg
[/QUOTE]

I think my N64 is on its last legs so I despise you for such a great find.
 
I am ITCHING to get back out there...goodwill just doesn't satisfy me the way garage sales do. Unfortunately it's probably going to be about another month :(
 
[quote name='Eagle3ye']I am ITCHING to get back out there...goodwill just doesn't satisfy me the way garage sales do. Unfortunately it's probably going to be about another month :([/QUOTE]

I know that feel. I work every weekend, so it's been a long time since I've been to a yard sale. I'm looking for something too. The pawnshops around here don't have any nice PSPs and no luck on CL, yard sales are the last hope.
 
Last few weeks havent been that great. This week was awful until the late day find redeemed it.

2 "Duke" Xbox controllers - .50 cents apiece
South Park Seasons 7, 10, 12 - $2 apiece
New Jersey Devils Hockey Puck - .50 cents
1996 Stanley Cup Finals Puck - .50 cents
Fatal Frame 2 PS2 complete - $3
Sega Smash Pack Dreamcast complete (Not for Resale Edition) - $1
Chu Chu Rocket Disc with case and Sonic Adventure case / Manual - .50 cents

Late Day Find
Super Mario Sunshine Complete
Pac Man Vs / Pac Man Land 2 Combo Complete
Mario Kart Double Dash Complete
Silent Hill 2 PS2 with case w/o manual
Pokemon XD case / manual with Sonic Adventure 2 disc
Mario Party 4 case / manual with Twilight Princess Disc
a few miscellaneous Game Cube Discs
$5 total
 
[quote name='Eagle3ye']I am ITCHING to get back out there...goodwill just doesn't satisfy me the way garage sales do. Unfortunately it's probably going to be about another month :([/QUOTE]

April is cruel . . . it won't be until May (by me) until sales really get rolling.

Getting closer but the wait is killing me.
 
I'm wicked drunk and it took me approximately 20 mintues to plug in my phone to my computer's USB so you all better appreciate this. (Also, thank God for spellcheck :D)

25 dollars for the lot!
Joystick on the controller is tight as a virgin!
I aslo got the microphone attachment thingy for Hey You, Pikachu!, but I didn't put it in the picture

score032013.jpg


Also I got a PS2 fat with controller and Component cables for $10
And a mint copy of MediEvil for the PS1 for $1.50
 
Amazing find August. I didn't even know that bundle existed. N64 games are number 1 on my list when going out, and to keep, not sell.

Jealous of yall that have yard sales right now, still too cold here.
 
Yea, man. The guy actually didn't have a single game or system out in his sale. I asked him if he had any games, then he said his kids might have some games. I waited for his wife to go inside and talk to her kids. I was talking to him and he asked me what game system was my favorite. I told him I preferred retro stuff, and he told me they used to have a "Pikachu N64" that was probably in the attic. His wife came out with some crappy Xbox 360 and Wii games. Luckily he asked her if she remembered the old Pikachu N64 that they had and she told him she knew where it was. I just smiled and said "I'd love to purchase that if you'd be willing to sell it."
 
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