garage / yard sale finds.

[Momof3Labs]

Got this set of six Montgomery Schoolhouse vehicles for $2 at a multiples sale, they are like new:

http://www.maplelandmark.net/action.....lasso&-search

At the same sale, we got a set of two mini Huggy Buggys for $1. They were brand new.

There have been other bargains along the way, but those were our most recent!

[Melanie]

I don't really garage sale, it's too early in the AM for me. I got a NWT Zutano top for $2 at a consignment sale. Also a Jean Bourget bubble for $4 at a consignment shop.

That's about as good as it gets for me. LOL.

I don't have a lot of time to garage sale so I plan my time around community wide garage sales (usually listed in the paper) or group sales (church, mother or twins, school). I find that instead of driving all of the place and spending many weekends searching, I can focus on these events and get great deals. The one thing is that it is best to go early and try to volunteer for the group sales so you can shop early.

I typically find out about sales through friends, signs on the road, and the paper.

[Jen841]

Last year...
Bike Trailer $40
Medula Pump In Style- used 3 days, milk never came in $15 (I already had the 'touching' parts)
LT Swing $3
LT Slide $5
3 bags of ball pit balls and a FP trike $10

I love bargains!

[oneplustwo]

What a great find! I don't go to yard sales frequently, but our town dump has a great swap area. I've gotten a Lil Tikes wagon in good shape there, and even a Mac Quest stroller which I LOVE!! I think a lot has to do with karma -- a week or so after I've left lots of things there for others, I seem to come across a great find to bring home.

Anyone else have a local swap place like this?

Anne

[Dcclerk]

For reasons that are not entirely clear to me, it seems that few people in my neighborhood do garage sales. But, it appears that lots of people like to donate. So, I don't have any garage sale finds, but I've had good luck at Goodwill.

My best is the Target wooden kitchen that I scored NIB for $18. It's one of my favorite wooden kitchens, and you can't beat the price. (I've looked and compared and compared, and I swear that it is made by the same people that make the PBK metro kitchen.)

I also have gotten probably 1/4 of my kids' wardrobe at Goodwill. All of their ski wardrobe, and almost every waterskiing vest is from Goodwill. I just got a brandnew Little Bell Shell helmet. I regularly end up with Hanna Andersson, Janie & Jack, Gymboree, Gap, Mad Sky, Milk & Honey and all kinds of other boutique brands. I love the bargains, I must admit... :)

[brittone2]

I haven't hit it up yet, but apparently Chapel Hill has a shed where people can leave things/take things as they wish. There are a few restrictions on things that cannot be left like certain used/non working electronics, etc.

I only read about it recently and have no idea if there's actual good stuff to be found, but your local one sounds fabulous!

[oneplustwo]

Definitely check out that one in your area. Ours has similar restrictions and it helps ensure that items left are useable or in salvageable condition. And you never know what you might find, which is part of the fun. Our local swap area is especially good for children's items (books, games, toys, and equipment but not clothes). I love the idea that I am helping recycle this way, whether I am taking or leaving something!

Anne
mom to DD, 8/01 and twin DSs, 11/03

[trumansmom]

Hmmm... I was excited about my find until I read about everybody elses! A few years ago I had a Little Tykes score. I got a Cozy Coupe, an easel and a big climbing thingy/slide for the backyard for $100. Basically, I viewed it as getting the car and easel for free, since it's virtually impossible to find any of the back yard Little Tykes things around here for under $100.

I also got a used twice double stroller for $50. I figure I can probably sell it for that much at least after I used it all summer last summer.

Jeanne
Mom to Truman 11/01 and Eleanor 4/04

Today was my best day ever! I got 100 pieces of Gymbo for $100. All in matching lots-20 pieces of Rocky Mountain, 20 pieces of Teacher's Pet, 20 pieces of Prima Ballerina, 20 pieces of My Best Friend , and 10 each of Sugar and Spice and Romantic Garden. I only got about 1/4 of it! Another lady was scooping it up as fast am me, and two other ladies were making quick work of the little boys stuff. I spent all afternoon looking it up on Gymbohaven and it is almost $2500 of original retail value! It was so much fun!!! And my hubby was fussing at me for spending so much-he just doesn't understand.

I go every Saturday, but the first 3 weekends in May are the best around here. I keep a calendar of when the big communities have their sales, and I check the paper and plan out a route on mapquest the night before. I also right down the address of the best sales to keep an eye out next year-like the one today.

My older finds include: Little Tikes 8-in-1 playground for $45, comforter/bedroom set of everything including lamp for $60, PBK tractor bedding set for $45, and FREE wood swingset.

My rules are I try not to pay more than 1/10 retail, and never more than $1 per kids video (got 10 Dinsey ones today for $1 each and Winnie the Pooh and Scooby for .50 each)

Venus