Blog Archives

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My first time

Well not mine …. But I was lucky enough to take a friend of mine to his very first garage sale a week ago. It was an amazing experience.

My friend would never have gone to a garage sale if he wasn’t filming me for a TV segment. Typically, camera men don’t play a role in the footage they’re shooting, but instead just record it for others to watch. And while his experience will probably never be shown, it definitely made the trip for me.

We were in the Park Hill neighborhood of Denver, and there was a community-wide garage sale going on. Multiple houses had filled up their lawns and tables with bargain items. For me, it was my happy place, but for my friend, not quite. He never understood the appeal of a garage sale and was a bit overwhelmed by the assortment of items.

Throughout the morning we went from garage sale to garage sale, combing through items in search of hidden treasures. I wasn’t having much luck finding a good bargain buy, but then we came to a sale that changed my friend’s image of garage sales.

He was setting up his camera for a shot when he happened to look down. Out of nowhere, he screamed out like a little girl “I found one! I can’t believe I found one!” It was the moment of all moments; when a person catches the garage sale bug. My friend was referring to a mandolin slicer. It was brand new, still in the box, and was sitting amongst an array of kitchen gadgets. He scooped it up and charged right over to the woman in charge.

Without asking for any advice, he asked the woman how much it was and proceed to hand over the $7 she requested before I could say a word. He then proudly smiled at me, his newly purchased item in hand. I looked straight at him and calmly said “You know you’re with the garage sale millionaire, right? Did you even think to ask me for advice? You probably could have saved a few dollars, if not at least some advice on negotiating.”

He didn’t even seemed phased by my question. He was simply so excited to have found a brand new mandolin for a mere fraction of the retail price. “Now I know what my wife and I will be doing every weekend from now on,” he said.

At that point I wasn’t sure if I should call up his wife to apologize or to congratulate her on a newest. Either way, when you finally find that one item you’ve been searching for, it just doesn’t get any better.

Good luck, and happy hunting!

-Aaron

To learn more about Aaron LaPedis, visit www.thegaragesalemillionaire.com or contact him at thegaragesalemillionaire@gmail.com.

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Tag, you’re it

I went garage sale shopping last week, and as I was looking around at my fellow buyers, scrambling and rushing about, I realized that I had the best tool possible at my disposal; I was using the Tag Sell It app. I always mention using your smart phone to research items on the spot, but I don’t typically mention one of the most valuable things it can do for you: it can tell you where the good deals are. The Tag Sell It app can assist you with a great number of things, but one of my favorite features is the sale search tool. You can actually map out the sales in your area and plan your garage sale route the day before, saving you valuable time. While everyone else is driving around with a newspaper and a map, or worse yet, driving around randomly, hoping to spot an garage sale sign, you’ll be zipping along, snatching up the best deals before everyone else even know about the sale.

I like to plan out my route the night before so that I’m all ready to go in the morning. I have everything ready to leave my house at about 7am, so that I can be at the first sale right when it opens. Most of the great items will be gone by 11am, so you need to plan out where you want to go first.

How do I decide which sale to visit first? Again, I turn to the app. You can check the sale listings to see what types of items will be at the sale and decide which ones sound the most promising. Hit those locations first, saving the more ambiguous sales for later in the morning.

Do keep in mind, however, that you can always swing by a sale around 3pm or so to pick up any items you’ve had second thoughts about. Odds are, if they’re still available, you’ll be able to get them at a much lower price. You might even get lucky enough to snag the items for free.

So my best advice to all you garage sale junkies is to save yourself some time and effort. Use the Tag Sell It app to plan your day, and have fun the next time you head out!

Good luck, and happy hunting!

-Aaron

To learn more about Aaron LaPedis, visit www.thegaragesalemillionaire.com or contact him at thegaragesalemillionaire@gmail.com.

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Planning ahead

Hello from snowy, Denver, CO!

Today is a good day to be thinking about your next garage sale. You might be thinking to yourself, “What can I do on a snowy day that would help with an upcoming garage sale?” Well that’s a great question that I’d like to take a minute to answer.

I’ve been stuck inside for most of the weekend, hiding out from the snowy weather and slippery roads. While most people see days like these as a time to laze around watching movies and catching up on your favorite television show, I see these days as the perfect time to begin preparing for a garage sale. I’m not going anywhere, so why not spend my time sorting through my things, combining a bit of early spring cleaning with garage sale preparations.

I spent most of Saturday afternoon going through my office and bedroom, and next on the list is the basement. As I go from room to room, I’m pulling everything out, making sure I actually touch everything – nothing is spared from the once over. If I haven’t used it in over six months or a year, it’s getting the boot. But I’m not going to actually throw out anything. No matter what condition it’s in or how bizarre it might seem, one person’s trash is often another person’s treasure.

The small Chinese pottery bowl that started as a $3 tag sale only to turn into a massive $2.2 million windfall at auction. Source: AFP/Getty Images

To give you a prime (if not extreme) example of this adage, while taking a break from my cleaning and sorting this weekend, I came across a New York Post article professing “NY family buys bowl for $3 – it sells for $2 million.” Can you believe that?! This family saw a seemingly ordinary bowl at a garage sale and purchased it back in 2007 for $3. After admiring it for many years, one of the family members decided to do some research (a true treasure hunter!). They soon found out that their ordinary bowl wasn’t so ordinary after all. Turns out, the bowl dates back to the 10th or 11th century and only one other piece exists today, and it’s in the British Museum collection. Sotheby’s estimated the piece would sell for between $200,000 and $300,000, but it wound up fetching a startling $2.2 million! (if you’d like to read the entire article, head here http://tinyurl.com/blokw4n)

I’m certainly not saying that everyone is going to find some hidden gem in their home, but you never know! Maybe something you’ve been sitting on is worth a pretty penny. And even if it isn’t, it might be worth something to someone else. The art dealer who purchased this bowl clearly wanted it since he was willing to pay way beyond the estimated value. On a smaller, more relatable scale, that trinket that’s been sitting in your closet might not appear to worth anything, but it might be worth something to someone out there. So don’t throw it out; sell it.

Go through every desk, closet, cupboard, basement corner and garage shelf and keep everything. And to add to that, if you’ve got something that seems unique, maybe take a minute to do a quick Internet search to see if it’s worth anything significant. You never know what you may find!

On another note, I just received an email from a follower who recently finished reading my book (thanks, Bob!). He had some really great garage sale tips to add to my repertoire, and I’d like to share a few of the pre-planning tips that you could start thinking about now:

Before throwing your garage sale, check with your town to see if you need a permit. If you do, see how far in advance you need to apply.
You should also check to be sure your town allows you to post signs throughout the neighborhood.
A few weeks or months before your sale (think now!!!) you should start saving paper and plastic shopping bags to use for your big buyers. They’ll appreciate the bag and it’s a great way to recycle!
Try to coordinate your sale with another local event. If there’s a festival or art fair in your town, try coordinating with that time frame. You’ll get a lot of out of towners that might notice your sign and swing by after they finish up at the festival.

Good luck, and happy hunting!

Aaron

To learn more about Aaron LaPedis, visit www.thegaragesalemillionaire.com or contact him at thegaragesalemillionaire@gmail.com.

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The glitter of gold made me crazy

Does this picture look familiar? Just wait until you hear what happened with these viles …

I like to profess that I am an expert in everything I come across in the world of garage sales, estate sales and auctions. While I will most likely still claim this to be true, last weekend I was definitely not on top of my game.

If you remember from my post last week, I headed out to an auction despite the snow and crummy weather. This was the right decision, but it was about the only one I made that day. I so badly wanted to find something I could flip that I was far too easily blinded by the glitter of gold, literally.

One of the auction listings was for three tubes of pure 24karat gold flake. Each tube was crammed full with gold flake, and I got really excited at the thought of buying and reselling them. I saw that there were six of these three-vile bundles, and I knew I had to have them. I even waited around for an hour just for the chance to bid on them.

The first three-vile bundle started at $50. I was only bidding against two other buyers (a positive from the bad weather), and I ended up winning the first set for $75. The auctioneer then offered me the other five bundles, and I couldn’t resist. I bought them all.

I came home, proud of my purchase; proud enough to blog about it on here! After I settled down, I started doing some research, preparing to list my winnings online. I started checking eBay for similar items and was greatly disappointed by what I found: a number of listings of viles just like mine for a much lower price than I had just paid. It turns out that even I can be blinded by an item, and I realized then that I should have been taking my own advice. I didn’t do any preemptive research before bidding. I had an hour to peruse the internet on my phone and I had done nothing of the sort. Had I done so, I would have quickly realized that while gold is going for over $1600 an ounce right now, gold flake weights next to nothing. So while I was looking at how tightly packed those viles were, a whole tube of gold flake still weighs next to nothing no matter how full it is. I clearly got too cocky, and I paid the price. Three tubes are probably only worth about $30 in a good market, not the $75 I paid.

So once again, I’ll share my advice, and hopefully this time I myself will listen! First, do your research. Whether that’s going to completed sales on eBay, or doing a general online search for the exact item. eBay is always a great place to start, but it’s not the final word on this kind of information. There are plenty of specific sites out there describing just about any item or collectible – you’ll be surprised what you can find with just a few minutes of research. And if you can’t find any information, you should consider that fact that sometimes it’s just better to walk away and plan to buy another day. If I would have followed even just one of these steps, I would not have lost money at that auction, and hopefully you won’t repeat my mistakes.

Good luck, and happy hunting!

Aaron

To learn more about Aaron LaPedis, visit www.thegaragesalemillionaire.com or contact him at thegaragesalemillionaire@gmail.com.

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Just say “no” to roses on Valentine’s Day

You may think that if you come home without a dozen red roses on Valentine’s Day, you will wind up in the dog house. While traditional can often be the best route, I like to take a more original and creative approach to my holiday gift giving.

Before I get into specifics, let’s take a second to talk about the bottom line. We’re all still suffering from our holiday hangover, and shelling out for a dozen roses and chocolates isn’t helping in that department. A dozen long stem roses without thorns (for all you inexperienced shoppers, you can buy de-thorned roses, and it does make a difference) and a box of above average chocolate will run you over $100 this time of year (we all know the prices miraculously go up around Valentine’s Day). Even if you’ve got that kind of cash available right now, consider how long your gifts will actually last: the roses might last a week, the chocolates might last a day, and then you’re left with nothing.

If, however, you go to a garage sale this weekend or next (planning ahead!) you could find something for the same or less that your Valentine will love and cherish for a lifetime. They will be able to look at that item anytime in the future and be reminded of this holiday and the thought you put behind your gift.

For all of you romantics out there who think I’m missing the point of Valentine’s Day, I encourage you to really think about my theory. Be different. Be inventive. Be exciting. Isn’t romance supposed to be spontaneous and fun? If your Valentine gets roses every year, you’ve taken all the surprise out of it. Don’t do what millions of people are suckered into just because Hallmark has told you that celebrating with a card and some flowers is the right way to celebrate. So long as you give a gift from your heart, you’ll be giving them a fantastic gift. And if you still can’t get away from your traditional roots, try buying just one rose to go with your creative gift – then you’ll have the best of both worlds!

Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:

Vintage jewelry

Artwork – think something romantic with a love/heart theme

A poem or a photo of you and your Valentine, framed in an antique frame

Antique jewelry box

One last piece of advice: if you’re going for a useful gift, do not give your spouse a crock pot, a vacuum or a cookbook. It doesn’t matter if they would use it or love, it, those gifts do not fall under the veil of romance, and most likely will send you to bed with Fido.

Good luck, and happy gifting.

Aaron

To learn more about Aaron LaPedis, visit www.thegaragesalemillionaire.com or contact him at thegaragesalemillionaire@gmail.com.

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The last Twinkie on Earth

These days mark the end of an era for Twinkie lovers across the globe. Hostess has announced that it will be closing its doors, due in part to a baker’s strike. While this may be a sad day for you, I encourage you to look on the bright side: this could be a great money making opportunity! While this may be hard to believe, I encourage you to set aside your desires for the cream-filled treat and think about the situation that has come into light.

When a company closes down (or in more common fashion, stops production on a certain item/product) that company, and all of its products, are brought into the media spotlight. This creates a frenzy of demand, raising prices.

If you have the opportunity to buy a box or two of Twinkies, you might be able to resell them for a nice profit. If you check eBay, there are currently listings ranging from the standard cost all the way up to $2,500,000 for a 24 count box. And while it’s hard to believe anyone would pay into the millions for a couple of a Twinkies, if you search the completed listings, you’ll see that someone paid $10,000 for nothing more than a two pack of Twinkies and a two pack of Hostess Cupcakes. Shocking!

What’s also shocking is the price increase on Twinkies collectibles. Items such as lunchboxes and figurines tend to sky rocket in value in situations like these; and collectibles might be a better investment since, contrary to popular belief, Twinkies do not actually last forever, but only for a few months after packaging.

Now I must warn you that although this all seems like an unbeatable opportunity, be aware that these cream-filled delights will only be worth this much for a short while. As quickly as the value has risen, it will in turn fall. So if you decide to jump in the game, do so quickly. You don’t want to be the one holding the bag full of Twinkies when the clock runs out!

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Rusty Treasures

Last weekend I had the pleasure of travelling to Hartland, Ohio to the Hartville Marketplace and Flea Market. Together with Hartville Marketplace, we threw a “Rusty Treasures” event, inviting people from the area to bring in any items or collectibles they might want appraised. It was essentially an Antiques Road Show event, but in this case, I was the appraising expert.

Watching everyone come in with their different items, I realized that no matter how much you make or where you come from, there’s a very good chance that you have something in your own home, or even in your parents home, that has an unexpectedly high value.

Some of the highlights of my recent trip was seeing a signed, original photo of Orville Wright flying his first plane ever. I also saw an authentic Confederate Officer’s sword, a collection art deco, Warhol-esque paper dresses and a tin toy plane that I estimated to be worth about $2,500. Everyone had their own unique and interesting story of how they came into their item – most of them not paying a dime. Imagine finding out that a vase or statue you’ve had sitting in the corner is actually worth several hundred, or even several thousand dollars. Your reaction would most likely match the one I received most often this weekend: “I can’t believe how much this is worth!”

Experiences like this weekend do nothing but reinforce my mantra to never give up looking in your home, your parent’s home, garage sales or any other great treasure-hunting venue to find that one item that could be worth a great deal of money. If you would like to have a similar event, please feel free to contact me. Whether you have a church, a marketplace, or would like to put on a fun fundraiser, I’d love to help you put on a successful treasure-hunting event.

Good luck and happy hunting!

Aaron

To learn more about Aaron LaPedis, visit www.thegaragesalemillionaire.com or contact him at thegaragesalemillionaire@gmail.com.

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Sometimes the best deal is right in front of you

A lot of people believe that in order to find a great deal they need to wake up at 6am to beat the crowds at their local garage sale. While this is true in terms of finding great second hand items, you might consider your local brick and mortar stores for a great deal as well. A lot of buyers don’t understand that their local antique, art or second hand stores can also be a treasure trove of amazing finds.

You might walk into a local art gallery and believe that even though you love a piece – or you would love to resell it – it’s priced far too high for your budget. Just because you’re in an actual store, this does not mean you can’t negotiate. Take it from a pro: you can negotiate just about anywhere.

I own a fine art gallery and I always tell my clients that if they see a piece elsewhere, no matter the price, come to my store and give me the opportunity to match it. I might not always be able to do so, but I will certainly try my best. If the client can’t afford a piece in my gallery, I ask them to make me an offer. It can never hurt to ask so long as you’re respectful.

We are in tough economic times and your local store owners want your business. It’s great to have stores in your area that sell things you want and need, so before you pass them up, give them a chance. With the internet there’s a chance you could get taken and at a garage sale you’re buying products that might not be in the best of shape; but when you buy from a physical store you’ll always know what you’re getting. Take time to walk through the stores in your area and give the owner an opportunity to earn your business. You might be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.

Good luck and happy hunting!

- Aaron

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Being more tech savvy than your three-year-old

Have you ever felt that you’re behind the times in technology? I certainly do every time I see my three-year-old play with my wife’s iPad. He understands how to download new apps and play games…he uses it like he was born with it – which is more than I can say for myself!

There is a lot of technology available that can help a garage sale junky in their quest for the next best find. The trick is knowing how to use it.

Have you ever seen someone pull out their smart phone and wave it across a book or some other boxed item? They’re most likely using a smart phone app that reads the barcodes. A number of these apps can tell you what that particlar item is selling for on either eBay, Amazon or a range of other competitive websites.

This is a fantastic way to decide if it’s cheaper to buy the item online. It can also help a shopper decide if they can turn around and re-sell the item for a significant profit. Smartphone Apps prevent you from having to be an expert on every single item you come across. All you need is to be an expert on the up and coming technology.

So the next time you go to a garage sale, take a minute to download one of the many free barcode scanner apps and you too can be a high tech garage sale millionaire that’s grasped the technology of the 21st century.

Good luck and happy hunting!

- Aaron

To learn more about Aaron LaPedis, visit www.thegaragesalemillionaire.com or contact him at thegaragesalemillionaire@gmail.com.

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Dress Down for Success

Do you strategically plan your outfit before heading to a garage sale? If not, you could be hurting your bottom line.

Negotiating can be tricky for beginners. It may look easy, but it’s much more than throwing out a number and adjusting based on the response. There are strategies and tricks that involve all sorts of factors; one of which is what you’re wearing.

It may seem unfair, but I’ll be the first one to tell you that what you’re wearing matters. If you want to come from a position of strength, you need to dress as though you don’t have money. This means you need to leave your Rolex, your diamonds and your fancy handbag at home. When you show up at a garage sale, estate sale, or even an antique store, you need to look as though you don’t have much money to spend.

As a seller, I’ll admit that I look my buyer up and down before giving a counteroffer. If I think he or she can afford to pay more than they’re offering, I won’t accept. On the flip side, if he or she looks to be of modest means, I’m more likely to negotiate a lower price (it also helps to be nice and personable).

I would also recommend being aware of what car you choose to take to on your garage sale adventure. If you have a nice car, park it a safe distance from your destination. A good sales person will always sneak a peak at your vehicle if they have the chance. A fancy car could hurt your negotiations just as much a Gucci bag.

This may not seem particularly fair, but it’s the way negotiations work. So do yourself a favor, leave the bling at home and you’ll be positioned to negotiate like a pro.

Good luck on your garage sale millionaire quest!

Happy hunting!

-Aaron

To learn more about Aaron LaPedis, visit www.thegaragesalemillionaire.com or contact him at thegaragesalemillionaire@gmail.com.