THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO GARAGE SALES!

My Top 3 considerations for anything: Condition, Vintage, Odd/Unusual

• Books, VG+ condition: I don't usually do many books, unless they're really weird.
• Old paperback romance (<1980)
• Older children's books (<1970, hardcover, good dustjackets)
• Vintage paperbacks (mystery/sci fi) with lurid cover art
• Obscure non-fiction, the more specific the better.
• Odd cookbooks, vintage, put out by specific groups, odd foods
• Short stories (Horror/SciFi, put together as a lot)
• Several on same subject/sold as lot (crafts, hobbies, skills)
• See my guide for Buying Ex-Library Books, it applies here as well.
• Magazines - older, unusual topics, cover art, ads, check condition carefully, some wear is OK.
• CD's, check condition, classical, foreign, old musicals/soundtracks (buy popular music only if cheap)
• Cassettes : (<1990) these can be OK, if older, very specific music, religious, local, ethnic, some classical. Some music is not available on CD yet.
• DVDs, check condition, TV series, older movies, foreign films, odd non-fiction, excercise/yoga (buy popular movies only if cheap)
• VHS (<1990), obscure movies (foreign, sci-fi, horror, odd animation). Avoid any current releases.
• Video/PC Games: check condition carefully, odd titles, some older titles, horror/sci-fi/historical titles.
• Toys/action figures, vintage: check condition carefully. Year is often on foot of older action figures.
• Pins/pinbacks - brooches or music
• Keychains - odd, vintage, music/sports/auto related
• Board games/puzzles - complete, vintage
• Small electronics, calculators, cameras - vintage, best if with box and cables
• Early video games, especially the little handheld ones, best with box/instructions, check if they work w/new batteries
• Car-related items: keychains, accessories, etc. (for cars no longer made is better)
• Charm bracelets, charms, pendants: odd themes, can be sold as is or separately as charms
• Costume jewelry: doesn't have to be designer, well made, unusual, odd themes
• Scarves: the long thin kind, can be listed/described  as neckwear, a head scarf, a belt, or purse accessory. Check for stains and rips.
• Belts: vintage, chain/metal, check condition.
• Vintage accessories: Gloves, handbags, scarves, belts, check condition carefully
• Vintage clothes: this can be a bit more involved with designers/makers, but if interesting, cheap and in really good condition, go for it.
• Designer anything with the tags, or VG without tags (these can be pricey, watch out, best if you know clothes)
• Defunct sports memorabilia - items from teams that are no longer playing
• Sports memorabilia - pins, keychains, mugs, odd housewares, etc.
• Coffee Mugs/Cups - Starbucks, licensed characters (older is better), 3D designs, odd shapes/themes
• Collectible glasses (McDonald's, etc.), the older the better, check for cracks and image wear
• Barware: swizzle sticks (odd shapes, specific liquors, places), shot glasses (bunch from same place, unusual, sets), coasters, ashtrays
• Pens: vintage, older, unusual, again you should know what you're looking for.
• Legos, sell in big lots, manuals, people, bases
• Other building toys: Playmobil, lincoln logs, bionicle?
• Kitchenware: vintage sets, obvious 70s, linens, silverware, utensils
• Dishes/Flatware: best if you know what makers you want, check for cracks and wear
• Linens: aprons, handkerchiefs, curtains, sheets, vintage, unusual, check condition carefully
• Buttons, fabric, other notions: odd, vintage, collectible
• Patterns: vintage, dolls and toys, odd designs
• Airline themes: silverware, jewelry, accessories
• Christmas items: ornaments, music, jewelry, decorations, again Condition, Vintage, Unusual.
• Fast Food toys, the older the better (<2000 at least), best if still in packaging, otherwise vintage in VG+ condition.
• Tools/housewares- vintage, odd/unusual, best with box/cords/instructions.