7 Ways to Successfully Negotiate at a Garage Sale
Do you love snagging a great deal? If so, you no doubt enjoy garage sale season! I sure do. A garage sale is an excellent place to get a great deal and make the most of your money, but how can you be sure you get the best deal possible? If negotiating is new to you take note. I’m sharing seven ways to successfully negotiate at a garage sale. Keep those negotiation tips in your back pocket so you can get the best bang for your buck. Here is what you need to know!
© garage sale image via Shutterstock
1. Don’t bring only large bills. When you are asking for a deal or making an offer, it is best to have the exact change on hand. No one is going to want to accept your $10 offer while you are holding out a $20 bill. Let’s say you are making an offer for a lamp for $5. Have the $5 bill in your hand and hold it out. It is a great way to entice the seller with quick and easy cash.
2. Get a bulk discount. If you are browsing books, music, movies, toys, or clothing and have a good sized pile you want to buy, ask for a bulk discount. Often times, the seller will cut you a discount if you buy more of their stuff. Have an idea of what you would want to pay in case they ask.
3. Gently point out flaws. This tip has the potential to work great, but you need to do it gently. You don’t want to insult the seller by pointing out what is wrong with the piece. For example, if the lamp you want will need a new shade or a dresser will need a coat of paint or new knobs, gently ask if they give you a discount since you will be making these fixes and repairs to the piece.
4. Go later in the day. The early bird may get the worm, but the late comer gets the better price! Yes, you may miss out on getting first dibs on the items for sale, but the items there will often be marked down and the seller usually is more willing to negotiate.
5. Be reasonable. Offering 50% of the ticket price is not reasonable and can insult the seller. Instead, offer a price that is 10%-20% less than the ticket price. For example you might offer $8 for a $10 item. This is more realistic and you are more likely to get a yes. You will also open the seller’s mind to negotiation with a reasonable offer., An unreasonable one may shut them down before you even get started.
6. Ask for the best price. If you aren’t comfortable making an offer, you can always ask the seller for their best price. In this scenario you simply ask, “What is your best price on this?” or you can ask, “Is the price on this firm?” These examples are a great way to start the conversation and test the waters.
7. Give compliments. You are more likely to catch a bee with honey, right? When you see an item you love, tell the seller! Give compliments on the item and even the seller’s taste. Then ask what the best price is on the item. A little kindness goes a long way!
Now you’re all set to navigate the deals in your neighbourhood! Keep these seven tips in mind and see how fun and easy it is to score a great price!
Do you have any other tips to share?
great reminder as we are preparing for a sale………….so much kids stuff to get out of here!
These are great tips…I have never hosted a garage sale, but I have been wanting to do one for awhile. These tips will come in handy for me when I am ready to do my first one. Thanks!
Great tips… I need to remember the small bills tip!
Great tips. Mind you I don’t do garage sales anymore because we are trying not to bring things into the house unless we really need them. Living in a small space means less stuff!
thanks for all the tips you gave
Great info here and I have been collecting items in my house to prepare to a garage sale later in the summer. I have pinned these tips to refer to and all are good ones. Thanks for sharing. Garage sales take time to get ready for and a lot of work but lots of fun at the same time. Who doesn’t like making money on items you don’t use or just lay around and take up space in your house……My tip…. I mark things as I find them and put in boxes for later to save time and work. Don’t wait till the last minute to do it all…..
Great tips! I absolutely love going to garage sales. Sometimes you find the coolest treasures.
Good tips – never had a garage sale and I want to get rid of many items.
I thank you for your great ideas which I would definitively be using this summer.
I really like these tips. I haven’t been to a garage sale in I don’t know when!
Great tips! I love having garage sales to get rid of things cluttering up my house that we just don’t need anymore!
Great tips, I’m afraid I’m not good at negotiating but did learn to do just that when I was selling.
I like going to garage to garage sales but I do not like having them.
Great tips – I like the best price one.
Those are great tips! I rarely shop garage sales! I did when the children were small though, and saved lots of money! I hosted 1 garage sale and didn’t like it!
These are good tips for garage sales. On the seller’s side: have lots of coin and small bills available and kept in a secure place. Check to see which banks and credit unions offer free change counting machines for their customers or get the kids involved in counting the post-sale money, so they can garner more math skills.
My gf likes your tips and will try them this weekend.
I already do 2 and 4. I like your suggestion of “Is the price on this firm?”
The first one is brilliant! Not on a garage sale, but… it often amazed me how people would negotiate price down from $10 to $7 in advance and then come with a $20 bill and make the seller look for a change.
great tips. I’m never sure how to negotiate
I have to remember to stock up on small bills and change. And I love the “is this price firm?” question!
My gf and I love to go out and check on some yard sales. Thanks for the tips.
I like going to garage sales but I do not like having them.
I need to improve my negotiating skills. Thank you for the tips!
These are great tips and I ill be using them at my next yard sale or when I go to someone else’s.
Thanks so much and I do believe being sweet about it will help when asking for a lower pric.
I’m so happy the garage sale season is starting up again and these are some great tips to use this year!