Garage sales are a summer staple, and it is easy to find one happening every other weekend. But this is where you need to keep an eye out and ensure that you don't fall prey to a shady deal. Help is at hand, right here.
Think summer, and what comes to mind are barbecue parties, cool lemonade, and also a lot of garage sales. Garage sales have evolved from cozy, intimate neighborhood gatherings to places where you can get some snazzy deals.
It is true that wares that are put up at garage sales seem like a steal, but there are certain things that are a complete no-no. These are the things that you should refrain from buying, no matter how tempting the deal may be.
The reason behind this is that certain items which are used for the purpose of safety & hygiene are better bought fresh & unused. Also, buying electronic goods must be done with utmost care, since it is very hard to conduct a quality & performance check on it. We've brought you a list of items that you should stay away from at all times during a garage sale.
Touch-me-nots at Garage Sales
Anything related to safety during sporting activities...
If you are new to adventure sports, you may be tempted to save money on equipment like helmets, wet suits, climbing gear, etc. by conducting your shopping at yard sales.
However, note that buying equipment which has been pre-used carries a lot of risk, since the new buyer is unaware of the amount of wear and tear that it may have undergone. Be safe at all times and invest in new gear, or rent it out from stores.
Anything related to babies...
Baby care items are certainly expensive, which is why hand-me-downs come in useful for most young parents. With used feeding bottles, however, it is a whole new ball game. Plastic is known to deteriorate over time, posing as a health hazard. Pre-used car seats also carry a certain amount of risk due to wear and tear.
Again, as a responsible parent, you will surely give this a lot of thought before coming to a decision. Stuffed toys carry the risk of infestation, and you also need to keep in mind that children handle toys with utmost abandon. Therefore, avoid buying stuffed toys that may pose a health risk to your children.
Anything that you sleep on...
Mattresses and bedding items are a safe haven for all kinds of crappies and crawlies. While garage sales may offer some tempting bargains on these, it would be wiser to stay away from them. If you really need to buy these anyway, you must put them through a stringent quality check.
Anything that is upholstered...
Upholstered furniture carries the same kind of risk as mattresses; they may harbor an infestation. There is no strict rule which says that these items are a complete no-no, but you must be very thorough with your checks. Dealing with an infestation caused by negligence will cost you more in terms of time and resources.
Anything that requires a perfect fit...
Shoes, and running shoes in particular, tend to take the shape of the wearer's feet after a while. So, even if you see a pair that is the same size as yours, it may not fit you right. It is also recommended that you give snug-fitting clothes a miss, since the item may be your size, but the fit may not be right.
Anything related to personal hygiene...
Cosmetics have a shelf life, even if they've never been opened, so watch out for their date of manufacture. Used perfumes, especially, are perpetually found in garage sales, but do think twice about buying them. Fragrances lose their potency over a period, so they might not smell as good as you'd expect them to.
Anything that's too technical...
There is a reason why people put up their gadgets in a garage sale. It is either if they are outdated, or are malfunctioning and are too expensive to repair.
Buying electronic goods like computers, plasma televisions, gaming consoles, etc., along with kitchen appliances at yard sales means you have no warranty, no after-sales services, and are left with a tiny hole in your pocket. These items are usually the shadiest of the lot, so beware.
Yard sales are a lot of fun, as we all know. However, do not be charmed into buying something that you are unsure of, and save yourself from being at the receiving end of a raw deal.