As prime garage sale season is upon us, people across the nation scurry to trot their once-beloved (or at least tolerated) belongings out into their driveways and yards in hopes of finding them new homes.
I’m a fan of garage sales, specifically hosting them (I once had 3 garage sales over the course of 4 weekends, by the end I was sure our neighbors thought I had opened an outdoor KMart with really crappy hours).
I don’t stop at garage sales as often as I should though. Most of the time I’m 95% sure I won’t find anything worthwhile. It’s that 5% that makes the fruitless stops worth it though, as we see here- I reached out to readers and fellow bloggers and asked them to share some garage sale victories with us.
Below are some of the best things found at garage sales, but let me clarify- these are the kinds of things that people who read this site would get excited over. If you’re looking for stories about people finding ancient Chinese pottery and hidden Ansel Adams photos, this might be more your speed.
“I found this ceramic E.T. bank at a yard sale a couple of years ago and strapped it into my son’s car seat to make sure it made it home in one piece. Don’t ask me where my son sat on the ride home.” [via Brian at Cool and Collected]
image via Flickr
“The Holy Grail of playsets. Most kids never even got to see one. I looked for Joes at every yard sale I went to. If there was a kid my age I’d ask if he had any. One Saturday we were out and came across a kid who had “the aircraft carrier” he was willing to part with. My grandmother bought it for me for $50.” [via Brian Morin]
“Our proudest garage sale find is not one, but two Laser Command laser tag sets complete in box for $15. We used them together once, ran around the park for a good 20 minutes and at least one of us broke out in hives. It was the most exercise we’ve ever had. So, what was the fate of these awesome Laser Command sets? They now sit quietly in the back of a dark closet, waiting for the day in which they will be sold in yet another garage sale.” [via Linz at Pop Rewind]
“I’m still proud of this one. City wide garage sale in which they take one of the parking garages and set up booths throughout. I was on my way out having spent most of my money already. I pass by about 8 random comics on a table at a stand I ignored earlier. There was nothing else at this booth that was comic or toy or geek in any way. Flipping through…. oh hello first appearance of Deadpool. For a quarter? Yes yes I will take that.” [via Kevin at Team Hellions]
image via Star Wars Merchandise Wiki
“I was rummaging through a bin full of action figures and came across a Snaggletooth that was different. It was the blue version, I had no idea how rare it was. Neither did the seller who sold it to me for a quarter. I later sold it for just under $100, a 2000x profit.” [via Brian Morin]
“TMNT Leonardo video game watch. I purchased this recently for less than $1. I’ve been told that it could be worth around $80. Either way it’s a cool find.” [via Brian Morin]
image via Video Game Museum
“It’s no Stadium Events, but I once scored an NES game called Bubble Bath Babes that came in a VHS style box. The owner said she had no idea where it had come from, but that her son used to work at a video rental shop and assumed he brought it home from there.” [via Tommy A.]
I demand to see a full write up on Bubble Bath Babes. “The power is in your hand!”
That E.T. bank is definitely my favorite of the bunch, but I think Bubble Bath Babes is the most unexpected Garage Sale find! Awesome post!
50 beans for the Flagg- what a steal!