This is the weekend for great bargains! The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the annual City-wide Garage Sale on Saturday, September 10th (see map in Section B).
If you plan to make this an all-day shopping marathon, be sure to wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes. Don’t forget a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Make a list of items you’re looking for. It’s easy to get distracted by all the good deals on things you don’t really need.
Write down clothes and shoe sizes for each member of your family for easy reference. If you are shopping for household items, bring along paint chips, fabric swatches and window sizes. Bring a tape measure to check sizes.
Carry a few plastic bags and cardboard boxes with you. Not every garage sale will provide a way to carry you purchases to the car. Bring tarp and rope if you are shopping for larger items.
And, of course, be sure to have plenty of small bills. Consider carrying money in your pockets or in a fanny pack to keep your hands free.
If you plan to shop with children, consider giving them a small amount to spend. This is a great opportunity to teach shopping skills and the art of negotiation.
Are you more interested in finding the good stuff? Plan to arrive early. Looking for rock-bottom prices? Consider shopping later in the day. Great deals are all a matter of timing.
If you don’t see what you are looking for, just ask. The seller may not have thought to add that particular item to the garage sale.
Check items carefully. If an item needs repair, is it something you know how to do? If buying a board game, does it contain all the pieces?
Be very careful when buying baby items, they may have been recalled.
Don’t be afraid to ask a seller to go down on the price. If you really want an item, and the seller won’t budge, leave your name and number so they can call you at the end of the day if they still have the item.
When the day is over, pour yourself a glass of iced tea, put your feet up, and call your friends to brag about the bargains you found!
