What time to garage sales start?

[kayte]

There is a garage sale listing on Craigslist that has an item I want for DD for Christmas. The listing gives an address, but no time or other contact info. What time should I go in the morning?

TIA

[shilo]

the diehards usually start out at 7am ime. i think most sales around here list a 7:30 or 8am start, but usually if we've posted 8am and are setting up, there are people there at 7:45 or earlier looking for the specific items seen on the list.

lori
Sam 5/19/05 How lucky I am that you chose me.

[scoop22]

i don't have much experience with starting times. i would say 8 am. but i have no clue. i just wanted to say we have driven around the night before a garage sale and if they are setting up we have stopped before. they were welcoming and we got what we wanted. just a thought.

[VClute]

We're in a military town. I've seen people out as early as 6. (Myself included. It's a sickness...)

But I wouldn't wait til then. I'd reply to the ad right away and start negotiating NOW.

Amy in NC
mom to Dixon, born 2/14/05
...and Abigail Rose, born 4/7/07

[Puddy73]

Early! I posted a start time of 8:00 for my last sale, but people were showing up at 6:30 while I was setting things up. All the better stuff was gone before 8:00.

Jennifer
Mommy to Annabelle 9/08/03 & Finn 10/31/05

"If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane." - Jimmy Buffett

[stella]

I think you should go today. Knock on the door, apologize for bothering them, but offer to pay for and take the item today.

It happens all the time.

[scoop22]

did you get what you wanted??


http://b3.lilypie.com/Sd3bm4.png

[VClute]

Amy in NC
mom to Dixon, born 2/14/05
...and Abigail Rose, born 4/7/07

[hardysmom]

By 8am, the good stuff is gone. By 9, the real garage sale types have hit 5 sales and are heading to breakfast...

Of course, "good stuff" is pretty subjective. Higher end, niche-market stuff, like expensive strollers, aren't too appealing to the average bargain-hunter. They are either looking for specific collectibles (fishing rods, tools, figures) or cheap deals on everyday items.

Most sales SAY they start at 7... if it is in a nice neighborhood or people suspect there will be nice stuff, they will park outside befire the sun is up and wander up to your house while you are setting up...

My mother has a garage sale 2-3 times a year... I am now in a club that does 2 massive sales. At 6:30, the die-hards are lined up. By 7:10, the're gone.

[shilo]

hope you found what you were looking for.
lori
Sam 5/19/05 How lucky I am that you chose me.

[KrisM]

For future reference, you can click on the header info to send an email to a Craigslist person.