Must-Have Yard Sale Finds You Should Grab Right Away

Written By Jill Taylor

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and that is definitely true when it comes to yard sales. You can grab great bargains when households are having a clearout, so when browsing, you need to snag these things immediately if you see them!

American Girl dolls

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It isn’t news that American Girl dolls are expensive, with an average price tag of $115. However, finding them at yard sales is a great way to avoid this cost, and usually, they are left in great condition. Look out for discontinued dolls, as they can be highly valuable!

Le Creuset

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Renowned across the globe as your ultimate cookware companion, items from Le Creuset have high value. Purchased new, they can be expensive, but they’re usually far more affordable at yard sales. Le Creuset also releases limited edition cookware, so you may come across some rare items.

Vintage Pyrex

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Pyrex is famous for its high-quality glass dishes, but Martha Stewart shares that their vintage ceramic products are highly sought after. They feature charming, retro designs and are frequently found for outrageously low prices at yard sales, so if you don’t need one yourself, grab one anyway, as they have huge resale value.

LEGO

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LEGO fans know that the hobby is not cheap, but it is one of the most common items at yard sales. Because LEGO sets are bulky, people are often desperate to offload bundles of bricks for a bargain price, which can be a great way to expand your collection.

Halloween costumes

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When Halloween rolls around, brand-new costumes are expensive. Why not save some cash and buy secondhand? Yard sales are a great way to pick up a Halloween costume months in advance for a low price. The bonus is that these costumes have typically only been worn for a few hours.

Baskets

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There is always the need for a basket, whether for home storage or gift hamper creation. However, baskets are surprisingly expensive to buy new for what they actually are. Despite their retail price, they hold no value and are typically sold for a bargain at yard sales.

Exercise equipment

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Many of us make New Year’s resolutions to get fit, making the first step of purchasing exercise equipment. Unfortunately, Strava estimates that most people give up on these goals by January 17th. However, this makes them common bargain opportunities at yard sales, barely used and for a fraction of the retail price!

Musical instruments

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Music is a highly rewarding but expensive hobby. Class costs are unavoidable, but you can save tons of money on instruments by shopping at yard sales. Musicians are famous for taking good care of their instruments, so you can be sure to find excellent instruments in good condition at a low price.

Retro games and consoles

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Although the latest games and consoles are very impressive, there is something very nostalgic about retro video games. There is always a serious resale market for vintage gaming, with old Nintendo consoles in particular fetching insane prices online! However, many don’t know this, so bargains are common at yard sales.

Comic books

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Comic books can also have insane resale value, with rare and vintage editions claiming the highest price tags. It’s worth researching comic books found at yard sales to see what they are worth, as just like with game consoles, sellers generally have no idea of the value they hold.

Early 1900s baseball cards

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Cards from the 1940s and earlier are extremely rare, so snap them up quickly if you spot them at a yard sale. BBC Emporium explains that rare prints, Hall of Fame, and rookie cards have the highest value, but all cards within these dates hold some value.

Tools

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Building up your toolbox and equipment can be pretty expensive, but not if you do your shopping at yard sales. This is a particularly good idea if you are looking into a DIY or home renovation project, as you can get started without having to break the bank.

Vintage cameras

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Even though we now have fantastic smartphone cameras, there is something exquisitely beautiful about vintage photography. Shooting on a vintage camera is the easiest way to achieve this result, and you will end up with images of classic, timeless quality. Look to garage sales for reasonably priced cameras; otherwise, they’re crazy expensive!

Baby accessories

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Preparing for your first child can be incredibly expensive, but yard sales make this much more doable. What To Expect claims that parents spend an average of 27% of their income on baby items, and babies grow out of their toys and clothes so fast, so yard sales are a real winner here.

Outdoor gear

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Outdoor and camping equipment can be pretty costly, especially considering the long inventories that trips demand. Whether you need a tent, camping stove, backpack, or all of the above, you’ll find it all going for a small percentage of the retail price at yard sales!

Rae Dunn

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Rae Dunn’s minimalist pottery designs have a phenomenal resale value, making them a must-buy at yard sales. Products can be bought for cheap in TJMaxx, but vintage pieces are collectible, and people go wild for them. On average, Rae Dunn homeware can achieve a staggering resale value of up to 10 times the retail price!

Girl scout memorabilia

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Looking to make some extra cash? Search for Girl Scout memorabilia at yard sales. This final recommendation may sound strange, but Girl Scout uniforms are rare, so they sell for a great price, especially if they’re old. For example, a Girl Scout sash circa 1935-1940 can fetch up to $600!

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