How to organize yourself to get good deals at garage sales?

Every year, 50,000 garage sales and flea markets are held in France, the vast majority of which take place in spring. Now's the time to take advantage.

"The early bird gets the worm," as the saying goes, and being among the first to get your hands on the best items at a garage sale will get you the best deals. Bikes and scooters are snapped up like hotcakes, sometimes from car trunks, because often professionals, associations, or networks are on hand to buy them right away. The same goes for electrical appliances.

So if you go after 9-10am, it'll probably be too late for these products. Other items that tend to go very quickly: children's clothing – especially brand names – as well as certain toys – like Playmobil, Lego, Kaplas – and video games.

The thing about a garage sale is that you don't have too many ideas in mind. Sure, you might want to find books and comics, but if you're keen on a particular title, you might be disappointed. The key is to negotiate prices. Prices are posted, but sometimes they aren't, and it's up to you to negotiate, arguing about the condition of the item, its wear, and its rarity.

Don't hesitate to check the new purchase price online to get an idea, but also look at what's being sold on second-hand sites like Leboncoin or eBay. This helps you avoid getting ripped off, as sellers are often very greedy. They've paid for their space and want to make it profitable. Clothes, for example, even unworn ones, should be sold much more cheaply, especially since there's now competition from second-hand sites.

Having change ready helps you negotiate better. Having coins ready or a €5 or €10 bill allows you to round up your deal without the seller having to search for change.

Finally, it's best to set a budget limit, because the idea is to save money. Sure, you can treat yourself by buying cheaper, but it's best not to multiply unnecessary expenses. To prevent this, and not give in to temptation too much, it's best to set a budget and stick to it, otherwise it's not worth it!