To Buy or Not to Buy – the Great Garage Sale Question

Have you ever come home from a garage sale with items that end up junking up your house, and you just give them away or sell them yourself? Or have you ever purchased something because it was “such a deal” but had nowhere to put it, or it just didn’t work at all (such as an electronic item)? Also, some items can be unsafe. To help avoid these scenarios and others like them, here is a brief guide as to what to buy and not to buy at garage sales.

What to Buy

1. Books

You can really get a bargain on books at garage sales, and you can even turn around and sell them online for a bit of profit.

2. Clothes and accessories

The prices on clothing at garage sales can be excellent, and handbags, watches, and jewelry can also be good purchases. No one has to know that your Vera Bradley purse only cost $2! Baby and child clothes are usually fine, and it’s a good bargain since you’re trying to clothe a rapidly-growing child.

3. Dishes

Cups, mugs, plates, and so forth can be great deals at garage sales. They are washable and useful, and you can even hand paint them and give them as gifts.

4. Furniture

Bistro sets, chairs, and other wooden and metal furniture can be great buys at garage sales.

What Not to Buy

1. Safety equipment

Items like motorcycle helmets, horseback riding helmets, and other safety gear is not a great idea to purchase at a garage sale. They might be old and not up to current regulations, or damaged in such a way that you can’t see but that would compromise its effectiveness.

2. Car baby/child seats

Safety regulations are always being updated for car baby/child seats. One that was manufactured a year ago might have been declared unsafe. Also, there might be missing components or damage to the seat that could make it unsafe.

3. Cribs

Like car baby seats, cribs are always being re-evaluated for safety. An old crib that met safety regulations 10 years ago might be declared hazardous now. Unless you’re planning to display dolls in the crib or you want the wood for other projects, stay away from cribs at garage sales.

4. Make-up

Make-up that’s been opened has been exposed to air and bacteria. It’s a good way to get an eye infection in the case of eye make-up, or skin problems if it’s base or concealer.

5. Food

Unless the seller is providing fresh snacks for shoppers, then don’t buy food at a garage sale. People have been known to sell ancient fruitcakes and old tins of cookies – these and items like them can certainly make your family sick.

6. Old-fashioned canning jars

Unless you’re going to use them for something other than canning, old-fashioned canning jars are not safe for canning foods. Unless they are jars with the 2-piece lids that seal, they may be unsafe for canning.

7. Plush furniture

Items like mattresses, couches, and upholstered chairs are probably best left alone at a garage sale. You don’t know what’s lurking in all that stuffing, and getting furniture like that cleaned and reupholstered can cost a pretty penny.