What do you buy at garage sale?

The link says don’t buy “Worn plates, pots, and other cookware”, illustrated with a cast iron pan.

The advice is good about non-stick pans, but cast iron is a GREAT thing to buy used. The old pans are better, because new cast iron pans have a rough surface. In days of yore they polished the interior smooth. Even if it’s rusty you can scour it down to bare metal and it’s like new.

Other than that, I agree with the list. I look for glassware, garden pots, wooden furniture and I’m always looking for bicycles (but rarely find good ones).

I’ve bought all sorts of things at garage sales and second hand stores. It sorta goes without saying I don’t want someones old bathing suit or running shoes, or used mattress but otherwise, I bought a cool, upholstered chair once, cleaned it with upholstery cleaner , not because it was dirty but because I wanted to for myself. I also have bought stuffed animals when my daughter was small and just tossed them in the washer. I usually look for cool decorative items, plants, pots and ceramic type, unique bowls that I make water gardens out of.

I’m surprised they didn’t mention not to buy used sex toys., Ya think? lol

^^Have you?? :)

Records, DVDs, bike parts and anything that that I feel might be useful for homebrewing. Though DVDs are on the “do not buy” list, I always check them for scratches or any other damage.

I didn’t have the patience to scroll down on everything in the linked article. I have not bought a whole lot of stuff at garage sales, pretty much because I don’t need anything and also if I do need something, I usually want something that really strikes my fancy. What I have bought from garage sales are the occasional decorative kitchenware thing, like a milk pitcher, or some kind of knick knack. I also buy boxes because I do decoupage, and I’ll pick up an unusual tin if I see one (tin box, a good one will be made with a hinged lid and made in England). I never ever buy clothes from places like that, no helmets, no tires, no fragrances, no kitchen appliances. Didn’t scroll through the whole article so maybe I missed some stuff.

I regularly buy used sex toys.

Well, garages, of course. What else would one buy at a garage sale? (I’m still trying to figure out what people buy at yard sales, tag sales, sidewalk sales and flea markets.)

Used (and often abused) chauffeurs

@imrainmaker No, the opposite, I once offered, at my own yard sale, a pink velvet drawstring bag containing a crystal clear, pink, solid glass dildo. I got some great laughs and comments on it from my garage sale customers. No takers, but hey…my reasoning was that it was glass and could easily be disinfected, which I had already done, soaking it in bleach and hot water. No takers though but a great conversation piece. lol

I have seen 1guy1jar. Not going to risk it.

I never go to or have garage sales. They make me sad.

@forestgeek I learned my lesson on DVDs. I bought one without opening it and when I got home there was no DVD.
I will buy books and picture frames.

I’ve bought most of the things in that list. I’d never spend a lot of money on them so it’s not too much of a risk if something doesn’t work. I’m not that worried about other people’s bugs or germs. I buy everything secondhand if I can. New is a last resort for me.

I don’t go to garage sales very often, but when I do I usually look for books, And I will check out china, glasses and kitchenware, but I am picky about that stuff.

Also, you can get a good deal on wooden furniture – end tables; coffee tables, bookcases, desks.

@pachy – what makes you sad about it?

I am always on the look out for tools.

I can safely say that about 75% of the stuff in my house is from garage sales, thrift stores and Freecycle.

First post stole my biggest peeve with that article. Worn pots and pans yet they show one of the best garage sale deals there is. Cast iron cookware. It’s so easy to clean up and re season. Some of it sells quite well on e-bay. Over the years we have found some amazing things at yard sales. We have one on occasion too. Just two weeks ago I picked up a wrt54g Version 4 for 25 cents. Loaded dd-wrt on it and now have a decent backup. Usually when there is a box of old games or toys in good shape we just buy all of it, go through and find the valuable stuff then give the rest to the rescue ministry. Usually we come out ahead. It greatly pays to be the first people there.
I miss the days when you could go find the cruddiest, most worn out craftsman tools at yard sales and take them to sears and get a new set.
We have all kinds of decor around the house we picked up at yard sales. That shit is so expensive sitting in the window of pier one but people can’t hardly give it away when it’s got a sticker in their yard.

If it weren’t for thrifts and yard sales I’d have no yarn or bathing suits. People always think they’re going to take up various crafts and sports and then… don’t. I’ve got beautiful , tag-on, bathing suits for about ½0th of their retail cost. Catalina, Cole, Speedo, Roots .. all the regulars. Same with yarn and knitting needles – I buy bags of them for very little,or pick them up – our neighbourhood is big on just putting stuff out on the sidewalk for pick-up the night before the bi-weekly garbage pick-up. Got some beautiful Portmerion mugs recently, a Japanese teapot and cups, giant beer steins that we use for tea and coffee.

Golf equipment the 2 weekends after father’s day are a regular in the suburb just north of us. Every second dad seems to get new golf gear for father’s day and their old stuff goes out the next weekend. I used yard sale and Goodwill clubs until I won equipment at various tournaments.

That’s a feeble list.
Like @Stinley, new is a last resort for me.
My idea of a dream vacation (okay, a Fluther daydream) would be Estate Saleing in a Major Metropolitan Area with @Stinley and @BellaB. Lunch is on me.

I’ve bought shoes, running shoes, TV’s, DVD’s, CD’s, pots, pans, kitchen appliances, sheets, hats, stuffed animals, cologne, video games, and a laptop 2nd hand.
Mattress gives me pause. Unless I personally knew the people. Not having kids I can see baby bottles, and most car seats are gross.

I’d never buy 2nd hand pillows.
Well, modern pillows. The pillow I lay my head down on now is a feather pillow. Maybe 40–60 years old? I’ve owned it about 6–7 years.

Art work, records, CD’s, clothes, kitchen ware (pots, pans, bowls, plates, flatware, tea kettles, tea pots, strainers, vintage kitchen items of all kinds) shoes that fit, purses, gardening tools, furniture, toys that are newish (not broken, not chipped or damaged in any way) books, art supplies (paper, canvases, brushes, paints, paint box etc.) collectibles of all kinds (I collect all sorts of things from vintage Christmas cards to vases, to Star Trek items) Christmas decorations, a surf board, aprons, new/unused dish towels, potholders and place mats, candles, tools, dolls, office supplies, clocks, a letter opener, paper weights, picnic supplies, picture frames, stationery, pencils, lamps and more.

I love garage sales and thrift stores.

@ibstubro you’re on. All Fluthrifters welcome!

Last weekend I bought 2 scarfs, a mix of Midwinter plates and bowls. I already have some cups and saucers to match the pattern. Very pleased with that. 2 books – I have to control my book buying habit. I also bought six lovely crystal wine glasses and asked a question about looking after them.

I am looking for large mirrors and the game of Yahtzee. I quite like the delayed gratification. I could buy new mirrors but the pleasure will be greater if I wait for a bargain. And for the same price, I will get better quality secondhand.

@imrainmaker—the buying and selling of old stuff brings back unhappy memories. I can’t explain it better than that.

At thrift shops, I can’t resist a handmade baby quilt or crocheted afghan. I always wash them when I get them home.

@stinley – looks like you’re compulsive buyer of garage sales.. addicted to it..)

It’s a rewarding hobby, @imrainmaker.

@Stinley – the colours in that pattern are fantastic.

Flutherpicker road trip!