Yard sale, flea market, thrift store and consignment brags!

[ladyspl]

My MIL went to a local "Mile long yard sale" event. Where we parked at one end, took a wagon, and made our way up 1 side to the end, then come back the other side and end up at the car. Well, at the end of side 1, my MIL and my DD2 saw, what my DD thought was a puppy and wanted to go pet it. So they did. It was a female Chihuahua tide up to a porch railing with a regular walking leash, not a line. As soon as MIL gets to the dog, a man comes out of the house and says "If you want her, you can have her. We have 8 kids, 5 dogs, 4 cats, 22 fish, 4 birds and a ferret!" Assuming he was just joking, MIL allowed my DD to continue to pet the dog, whos name was Cookie. Again, the man said we could have her if we wanted her. My MIL already had 2 female Chihuahua mixes and I had 2 male bigggggg dogs! LOL So we agreed that if we got to the end of the yard sales and back to the truck, and still wanted her, we would just drive back to get her. So, we drove back to get her! LOL This time, the woman came out of the house and told MIL that she really didnt want to get rid of Cookie, but they have no room, etc. They also were having a yard sale, so while MIL was talking with the lady, I was "shopping" (all over priced, stained, ripped, junk clothes btw) and in a cage there was a "Min-pin/chihuaha mix male puppy for sale $200". Cookie, was this puppy's mother. Chiming in on the conversation, this lady is telling MIL that Cookie has had 3 litters, each puppy selling for $200, she has never been to a vet, has no shots, and may currently be pregnant again. WTH!?! So I insert myself into the conv and say, "we will be glad to take care of all of that, lets go now mom" and the lady says "wait! let me have your phone number, in case she is pregnant again, I want her back" She comes back out of the house with paper and pen, I wrote down a fake name and a fake number. This COW of a woman, was a mini puppy mill! We immediately took Cookie to a groomer because her nails were 3 inches long!!!!!! I have pictures!!! The groomer said the nails had not been trimmed in at least 4 months.
So, of all the great bargains we find at yard sales, I think rescuing Cookie from a piece of $%^& like her, was our best find ever. And let me tell ya, she is the best dog anyone could ask for.
oh and she is not pregnant

[neelia]

^I love that story. Good for you for taking her away from those terrible people. I can't stand people who breed their animals for extra money. So wrong.

[Doryjane]

Last summer I came across an Authentic Gucci handbag with price tag still on it, said $1299, got it for $45!!! WOO HOOOO! The things you find at yard sales :)

[Sherri1480]

My DD got an Ipod at a yard sale for .50 cents. I really didn't figure it would work but we charged it up when we got home and it worked perfectly. It even had songs on it that she liked. The best part is there is a recall on this particular model and I'm sending it off today for a brand new model!!

[booklover]

The best deal we got last year at a yard sale was a printer for FREE!! The lady was giving it away because she didn't have a cord to go with it. DH brought it home, and found a cord to fit it, and it works! It's a better model than the one we had, too.

We bought DD's (now 2 1/2 years old) entire fall/winter wardrobe at yardsales: jeans, really cute ones with flowers or butterflies stitched on the leg, pockets, etc. paid only .50 each, and got several pairs, some to wear now, some to grow into. Sweaters and sweatshirts, and long-sleeve shirts, paid only .25 or .50 each. And a winter jacket, paid only $3. A velvet dress, that she wore for holiday gatherings, paid only $2.

We bought only a few things new to fill in the gaps: girls tights, a winter hat, socks, and underwear (getting ready to potty train soon).

It's winter now, and there are no more yard sales. I won't see another one till maybe March. Can't wait!

[foodie]

Hi,

Here in N VA area since the last few weekends have been unusually warm, we have been to some yard sales and estate sales. We have got 6 board games for $3 ($.50/each), brand new Kitchen Aid mixer w/all attachments for $20, clothes (enough for our kids worth $200 for $10), purse for $1, etc.

Some people have had inside garage sales or basement sales too. I love the sales and that is why I haven't been shopping for groceries lately.

Foodie (Katie)

P.S. Also, last weekend we went to Rockingham County for a farm auction sale and DH bought a tractor and some tools plus other implements for our farm. Estimated retail value was $5000 and we paid $2000.

[ffagirl15]

So I found an awesome Goodwill in Louisiana (I live just north of the stateline in Arkansas) that I might frequent a bit more later on. So for less than $30 I found:
-2 brand new with tag men's polos (adidas & a brand I can't remember)
-2 like new men's polos (nike and underarmour)
-brand new little girls fuzzy pink shirt with tags
-a pair of brand new Charlotte Russo high heels (can't wear them but I can find someone on eBay who might!)
-mint condition Kim Anderson collectors plate
-and a few organization things I needed

I'm excited. I may see about eBaying the heels, but the other clothes will go to some consignment shops I know.

[ffagirl15]

So I found an awesome Goodwill in Louisiana (I live just north of the stateline in Arkansas) that I might frequent a bit more later on. So for less than $30 I found:
-2 brand new with tag men's polos (adidas & a brand I can't remember)
-2 like new men's polos (nike and underarmour)
-brand new little girls fuzzy pink shirt with tags
-a pair of brand new Charlotte Russo high heels (can't wear them but I can find someone on eBay who might!)
-mint condition Kim Anderson collectors plate
-and a few organization things I needed

I'm excited. I may see about eBaying the heels, but the other clothes will go to some consignment shops I know.

[BamaBird29]

I love consignment shops & yard sales!! Once at a yard sale, I nabbed a Liz Claiborne velvet dress for $10!!! Worked great for me - cuz I needed something to wear to a friend's wedding!

Consignment shops work great for me for two reasons: on a fixed budget and I'm losing weight {91 pounds and counting. Thank GOD}!! So, for me, it's just not feasible to go out and purchase new clothes all the time. There is one consignment shop in Mississippi that I visit often - I've found lots of name brand things there and never paid $10 for any item. There was another one closer to me in Alabama and man did I LOVE going in there! The owner had everything priced at $1! - and the stuff was NOT junk!! I was shocked...but so, so thrilled!! She even had "stuff a bag" sales, where you could stuff a HUGE KB Toys bag for $5!! Sadly, she closed her shop...she wanted more time to spend with her new grandbaby. I totally understand wanting more quality family time, but I miss that shop!!

[frugalstafar]

The best thing I found was a basket of costume jewelry for $3, when I started untangling the chains I found a 14k white gold with diamond pendant. A jeweler friend estimated to be worth about $300.