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How can I Find Yard Sales?

Shannon Kietzman
Shannon Kietzman

In most cases, a yard sale takes place in front of a person’s home, in the backyard, on the porch, or even in the garage. Finding sales is quite easy, as those who hold them use multiple methods of advertising to draw people to their sale. People often put an ad in the newspaper or on local TV, add their information to special web sites, and put up signs around the neighborhood.

Yard sales cater to those who want to purchase items but are working on a shoestring budget. Many people also enjoy shopping at these sales because they provide the opportunity to discover hidden treasures or to purchase items that can no longer be found in stores. Yard sales usually consist of a display of household and miscellaneous items for sale at less than half their original price. In some cases, they include items that turn out to be quite valuable, such as rare or antique items.

Local newspapers are a great place to find yard sale listings.
Local newspapers are a great place to find yard sale listings.

The local newspaper is generally the best place to look first, and yard sale listings can usually be found in the classified ads section. There is often a special section just for yard sales, although it may be titled “garage sales” instead. If there is not a special section, they may be listed under the “merchandise” section.

When going through the classified listing for yard sales, it is important to pay particular attention to the dates of each sale. Ads are often updated on the Thursday or Friday before the weekend sale, which is the most popular time for yard sales. Look for ads on flyers and posted on community bulletin boards at schools and churches. Many supermarkets also provide bulletin boards where information may be posted.

Yard sale announcements may be printed in the classified ads section of a newspaper.
Yard sale announcements may be printed in the classified ads section of a newspaper.

With the advancements of technology, advertisements for yard sales have been appearing on community-based radio and television stations. The Internet has also become an important tool for locating such sales, and there are several web sites that allow people to post information regarding their events for free. The user can locate a sale in his or her chosen city and learn the date, time, and exact location. Websites run by local newspapers also generally list current yard sales in the area.

Yard sales typically take place in front of a person's home.
Yard sales typically take place in front of a person's home.

A casual drive around the town or city can also help you find yard sales. Most people holding them post signs with directions and arrows pointing the way to the sale. These signs are most often posted on telephone and utility poles. In addition, simply seeing items piled in a person’s front yard or porch can often identify a yard sale.

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    • Local newspapers are a great place to find yard sale listings.
      By: by-studio
      Local newspapers are a great place to find yard sale listings.
    • Yard sale announcements may be printed in the classified ads section of a newspaper.
      By: Feng Yu
      Yard sale announcements may be printed in the classified ads section of a newspaper.
    • Yard sales typically take place in front of a person's home.
      By: Alexey Stiop
      Yard sales typically take place in front of a person's home.
    • Occasionally, yard sale purchases turn out to be quite valuable, such as antique items.
      By: greg mercurio
      Occasionally, yard sale purchases turn out to be quite valuable, such as antique items.