How to Make a Fortune with Other People’s Junk This page intentionally left blank. How to Make a Fortune with Other People’s Junk An Insider’s Secrets to Finding and Reselling Hidden Treasures at Garage Sales, Auctions, Estate Sales, Flea Markets, Yard Sales, Antique Shows and eBay G. G. Carbone McGraw-Hill New York Chicago San Francisco Lisbon London Madrid Mexico City Milan New Delhi San Juan Seoul Singapore Sydney Toronto Copyright © 2005 by G. G. Carbone. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. 0-07-146962-1 The material in this eBook also appears in the print version of this title: 0-07-144642-7. All trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. 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If you’d like more information about this book, its author, or related books and websites, please click here. For my parents and mentors,Bob and Barbara Glass, and for all of you who seek your fortune. Good luck,and remember,leave no stone unturned or garage sale empty-handed. This page intentionally left blank. For more information about this title, click here Contents Acknowledgments xi Introduction xiii Part I: Getting Started Chapter 1 Unlocking the Doors to Treasures 3 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Chapter 2 Gearing Up 16 Your Buying Attire Ten Accessories for Better Buying Thirteen Items to Keep in Your Car Geared Up Chapter 3 Learning the Trade Names 29 Top Six Sales to Target Top Three Auctions to Target A to Z Sales Chapter 4 Creating Your Secret Treasure Map 45 Tracking Down Garage Sale Advertisements Prioritize the Sales to Attend Ten Steps to Plot Your Treasure Map Let the Treasure Hunt Begin Chapter 5 Treasure Hunting in Your Own Backyard 57 The Butcher, the Baker, the Candlestick Maker Fly by Day or Night East Side, West Side Now You Know! vii viii Contents Part II: The Basics of Buying Chapter 6 Finding the Bargains Fast! 69 What Should I Buy? Choosing the Correct Sign Ten Tips to Case the Joint Fast! Chapter 7 Wheeling and Dealing 80 Types of Pricing The Awards for Best Actor and Best Actress Go to . . . Body Language as a Bargaining Tool Chapter 8 Swimming with the Piranhas 95 Staying Alive Fish Food Chapter 9 Getting from the Garage into the Attic 105 The Key Ring Other Ways to “Break into” a House Be Safe, Not Sorry He Bought the Farm Chapter 10 Specializing Wins Grand Prize 114 A Jack of All Trades Increasing Profit Margins Specialty Niches Specialized Examples A Special Word of Caution Part III: Making Your Big Profit Chapter 11 Understanding Trends and Establishing Value 131 Finding Out What It’s Worth A Small Price to Pay Relatively Speaking! Chapter 12 Selling Your Treasures Through the Experts 147 Your Merchandise Is in Good Hands The Auction Method Co-Ops or Group Shops Consignment Shops