Don’t you just love garage sale season?  While there are some items that I steer clear of for various reasons, there are also things that I will always look for.  The trick to scoring BIG at a garage sale is taking your time, knowing what could be re-purposed or painted, distressed or up-cycled, and what could be valuable for resale.

Photo by freddie marriage on Unsplash

19 Things to ALWAYS Look for at a Garage Sale 

It’s always a good idea to keep your phone with you and charged while hitting garage sales. This way you can do last-minute research. Some of my favorite finds have been at a garage sale or thrift store!

1. Tools

Tools, when well cared for, will last forever.  If you find a jackpot of tools at a garage sale, check for rust or other signs of wear, and if you don’t see any obvious issues, buy it up!

2. Bicycles

While I do not recommend buying bicycle helmets at garage sales, you can find some amazing deals on used bikes for the family.  Ask pertinent questions to the owner, such as: how long ago the tubes were replaced, how they store their bicycles – outside or inside? – and if you’re really in the market for a bike you could take a wrench with you and adjust the seat height for a test ride.

3. Dress Up Clothes

Sometimes the best kind of play for kids is dress up. As a bonus, the clothing items that are most fun are the bright and colorful dresses and shirts, costume jewelry etc. – the ones that people are trying to give away for next to nothing. Score them {super} cheap at a garage sale!

4. Art Work/Picture Frames

This maybe, just might deserve to be #1 instead of #4. No matter what the art is inside the frame (unless you’ve discovered a masterpiece hiding in plain sight) you can always re-purpose/paint/distress old picture frames.  Like the shape but not the color? Paint it!

One of my favorite gifts I’ve received recently was a simple wooden frame, painted and the back removed. They took chicken wire stapled to the back side.  Hang it up and use little clothespins to hang cute photos of the kids or pets!

5. Jackets/Clothing

While I don’t recommend buying used swimwear or undergarments if possible, jackets and other clothing would be fair game! Just make sure to wash when you get home and buy big for next year!

6. Costume Jewelry/Brooches

While these can be fun for children to play dress up, statement pieces can also be used as scarf holders, or re-purpose to make a pendant out of an old earring set.  It’s also true that they don’t make brooches like they used to.  Grab a quality statement piece for a fraction of new price.

7. Cast Iron ANYTHING

There’s a reason your grandma used cast iron.  It rocks.  Those things never go bad, and the more seasoned – the happier I am! Just make sure to take care of it and you’ll rock that ish forever.

8. Bake-ware

Find some classic Pyrex or glass baking dishes?  Not only do those help to keep your oven operating costs lower – lowering your utility bill – they also make for great planters if you’re looking to start a little herb garden.  Some of the older styles are coming back around so decades-old bake ware is the new chic!

9. Office Supplies

These never go bad, and it seems that I am always looking for a paper clip, or a stapler, or another pair of scissors.  Buy them at pennies on the dollar during garage sale season – especially if you have your Back to School shopping list already started!

10. Large Furniture

The trick to getting great bargains on large furniture? Go at the end of the day. The garage sale owner is not going to want to have to move the large item back into their garage or living room for sale the next day.  Help them out by taking if off their hands, and possibly at a reduced price.

Note: steer clear of upholstered items unless you are positive there are no little critters (ie: bed bugs) coming along for the ride.  If you’re sure, you could totally reupholster that bad boy and have a super chic new love seat!

11. Baby Gear

While I wouldn’t buy car seats at a garage sale (or used in general) I have picked up high chairs, strollers, umbrella strollers, bumbo seats and more at garage sales – as long as they are in good condition and in working order, there is no reason to spend 2 – 3x the amount new.

Note: Steer clear of the drop-side baby cribs, they have been banned in the US for good reason.

12. Plastic or Wooden Toys

Wooden toys are the best! They will always be around, no breaking, no cloth to get stained or ripped or nasty.  Plastic toys can also be cleaned thoroughly before giving them to your baby to play, and these will save you so much money over buying new.  Baby gear is so overpriced.

Note: I would steer clear of stuffed items, as these can carry unwanted new friends home with you as well.

13. Books

Who doesn’t love a nice home library?!  I love to read romance novels (I’m writing one too! yikes!) but I’ve been known to pick up some books at garage sales/thrift stores for the simple fact that I like the look of the cover and it will add something special to my collection.

14. Musical Instruments

If you’re musically inclined, you’ll know that musical instruments can be uber expensive.  If you know what to look for, you can save BIG by buying used.  I played several instruments growing up and if I found an antique instrument, I might just buy it as artwork or to display for fun.

15. Lawn Equipment

Need a new weed wacker or trimmer?  A garage sale might just be the way to go before buying new.  Always be sure to start up any power tools or gas powered lawn care items before forking over your cash.

One of the reasons I recommend having an extension cord handy when you have your own garage sale.

See more tips for having a successful garage sale.

16. Children’s Clothing

Just like dress up clothing, children’s clothes can be washed as well!  They go through them so stinkin’ fast, what’s the point of paying full price?!  Cash in – literally – by taking advantage of another person’s spring cleaning and be sure to buy big for next year if you find a garage sale with stellar prices.

Tip: look for formal kids’ clothing if you know you’ve got a wedding coming up.  No need to spend $50 on a dress that will be worn once or twice!

17. Fishing/Camping Gear

If you know what to look for, you can score some amazing deals on fishing rods and lures, possibly an entire tackle box full of goodies.  While you’ll spend at least $20 (or MUCH more) at a big box store,  you can pick them up for a fraction of the cost trifting or garage saling.

18. Exercise Equipment

New Years Resolutions come and go.  Capitalize on that!  Looking for some dumbbells or a yoga mat? Check garage sales!

19. Silverware and Utensils

Kitchen utensils can always be cleaned, and if you find anything silver, you’ll want to check the back for stamping.  Polish them up with a simple paste mix of baking soda and water, and they’ll shine like new.

More money tips I think you’ll like:

11 Things you Should NOT Buy at a Garage Sale
38 Simple Garage Sale Tips for Having a Better Yard Sale
10 Things You Should ALWAYS Look for at Thrift Stores
12 Craft Supply Items to ALWAYS Buy at Dollar Tree
20 Things Frugal People Don’t Do