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After browsing dozens of garage sales over the weekend, it’s apparent there are some items that you shouldn’t buy new. You can find all of the following at garage sales for cheap:

  • Exercise equipment and sporting goods. Baseball bats and gloves, bicycles, golf clubs, ski machines — all this and more
  • Blenders.
  • Bread machines. People like the idea of a bread machine, but it’s an appliance that rarely gets used. If you are a breadmaker, don’t purchase a new machine.
  • Microwave ovens. We saw many small microwaves. Are people upgrading to larger, more powerful machines?
  • Sewing machines. People don’t make things for themselves anymore. This means that fewer women are sewing. If you still sew, there are fantastic bargains to be had on sewing machines of all sorts.
  • Small televisions. If you want a small set, you can pick one up for just a few bucks from nearly any garage sale.
  • Miscellaneous glassware. Where do people get all of this glassware? You should never buy this stuff new.
  • Kids books, toys, and clothes. What happens when your children are grown and you don’t know anyone to whom you can pass along their toys and clothes? You sell the stuff at a garage sale, of course. Some sales were only kid stuff.
  • Stereo components. You won’t find the latest, greatest components at garage sales, but you’ll find plenty of quality ten-year-old items. (Be sure to test the components before purchasing.)
  • Typewriters. Lots of typewriters.

Because so many garage sales feature these items, you can probably negotiate with any individual seller to get a better price, especially at the end of the day.