These signs come in all forms and artwork — painted on a piece of wood, printed from a computer or scribbled on a sheet of paper.
For people who are forever looking for good bargains on everything, a garage sale which is also called rummage sale, tag sale, yard sale, attic sale, moving out sale, or junk sale, is the best destination.
For a little amount of money, you go home loaded with stuff and things other people don’t need any more, or cannot bring with them to a new location.
You can find things that you have been looking for at a very low prices ranging from 10 cents and up, and oftentimes, things you did not know you need or want.
A friend who has an expert eye can spot signs of garage sales no matter how vague the signs are. She seems to have a nose to smell the right locations, and we always go home loaded with anything — curtains, electronic items, furniture, computer accessories, kitchen gadgets, clothes, toys, house décor, books, shoes and everything else.
We used to go out as early as 6 a.m. and drive up and down streets in villages looking for those attractive roadway signs that would lead us to find the best bargains. It was my assignment to check the Internet if there were any signs posted so we have more destinations to go to.
Rummaging through the piles and finding “treasures” that you know are expensive or unavailable is a thrilling experience because you don’t know what you will find next. Sometimes you can buy new items at give-away prices.
A four-cup coffee maker I bought in 2008 for $5 has been the best item I’ve bought so far. I know the coffee maker deserves a break but I give it a day off every now and then.
In our search, sometimes we miss the best garage sales. One time we went as far as Kagman and Tanapag in one morning but there were no good finds. Upon going home, we found out that our neighbor held a huge garage sale.
However, not everything you buy from a garage sale is good. You may discover some items won’t work when you reach home, like clocks and electronic gadgets. Test the item before you buy it. Also, don’t be tempted with the cheap prices or you’ll end up dumped with things you have no use for.
Ask yourself if you really need the item, or if you have somebody in mind to give it to. I rarely go out for garage sales now and when I do, I only buy things that I need (not want) especially electronic gadgets.
A garage sale brings people from all age groups and ethnicities together and it’s a thrill to watch people beat each other in reaching for the best items and haggle with the owner for lower prices.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure indeed.
