Los Angeles
CHANGE MY LOCATION
Auction Wally
Auctions and Antiques ExaminerAuctionWally has been an auctioneer and appraiser for 25 years. He runs an antiques appraisal blog where he writes about the value of antiques and how to sell them. You can find him at www.auctionwally.com.
Examiner Feeds
These websites were picked by the Auctions and Antiques Examiner as useful resources.National Examiners
Charlie Papazian
Beer Examiner
Most Recent Post
Sorry, we don't serve bears beers at this bar at the Great American Beer Festival
Beer Examiner
Most Recent Post
Sorry, we don't serve bears beers at this bar at the Great American Beer Festival
Tony Campbell
Politics Examiner
Most Recent Post
Political Posturing vs. Realistic Leadership - McCain and Obama (Debate Deux)
Politics Examiner
Most Recent Post
Political Posturing vs. Realistic Leadership - McCain and Obama (Debate Deux)
Patricia Phillips
Space News Examiner
Most Recent Post
Mercury close-up during MESSENGER fly-by shows planetary details
Space News Examiner
Most Recent Post
Mercury close-up during MESSENGER fly-by shows planetary details
Jeff Millman
Dog Training Examiner
Most Recent Post
Dog to dog aggression? Use these tools to identify and lower stress.
Dog Training Examiner
Most Recent Post
Dog to dog aggression? Use these tools to identify and lower stress.
Showing entries for Category: flea-markets
Top ten ways to get the upper hand at yard sales
3 comments
by Auction Wally, Auctions and Antiques Examiner
Don't let sellers tell you to take a hike, use my top 10!
Here are top ten tips to get the upper hand when buying. Don't take them too seriously ;)
- Get up early enough to switch the signs around, if your competition can't find the sale, they aren't competition anymore, now are they?
- If you can get to the sellers before they've had their first cup coffee, you are ahead of the game.
- If possible, bring a small child to offer a quarter on everything. Train them to go after vintage Barbie dolls and GI Joes.
- Practice holding your heart with a faked shock look on your face when you get a price from a seller.
- When you know there are enough people within earshot, I find this phrase helps. "How much is this Flow Blue cream pitcher with the furry spider inside it?"
- Here's another helpful phrase, this one is a twist on an old cliche. "My Gramma used to have one of those, in fact she had it right in her hands when she died."
- Remember that small child mentioned earlier? The little imp can be used to distract other buyers by throwing up, crying, etc.
- Pull out a handfull of change before asking how much a big ticket item is.
- If it means getting in the basement or attic, inform the sellers you buy EVERTHING if it's the right model or style, old tires, National Geographics. You never know what else you'll see when you get in the house, the trick is to get your foot in the door.
- Be so damn nice that people will have a hard time refusing lowball offers.
While this article was written in humor, I have actually seen each of these techniques used in action! Please feel free to comment with your favorite yard sale absurdity!
Thanks for reading,
AW
Topics: flea markets , yard sales
Subscribe
FeedComments
More from Auctions and Antiques Examiner
Auctionwally's 7 must have field tools for antiques dealers and collectors
Topics: antiques , collectibles , flea markets , antique shows , coins , online marketing
Comments
Opening Day Report of the Brimfield Antiques Show With Prices
Topics: antiques values , antiques , values , vintage , retro , collectibles , flea markets , brimfield antiques show , antique shows
Comments
The Return of Rietta Ranch Flea Market in Hubbardston MA
Topics: flea markets , central ma
