For the past few months, I have been wanting to write this post, but I haven't had the time. Now, with another REI Garage Sale coming up in just a few weeks I thought I would write what I learned from my first garage sale experience because it was like no other. I had a blast!
1. Get there early! Some people camp out, but I got there at 5:30 A.M and I was golden! I was 18th in line and could not have asked for a better time. At first, I spent my time surfing Facebook or trying to read, but I ended up putting that away to listen to the other people talking around me. There were two sets of friends in between me…all lonely. However, I started talking and I had a blast! Although I don't know their names now, we were pretty good friends for those few hours! Since I was alone, I was kind of screwed when I needed to go to the bathroom, but the nice men in front held my spot while I ran to the restroom. Everyone was so nice, and I have high expectations for the people I am around at my next one, IN COLORADO, with my lovely fiancé! Can't wait to go to the one on January 3rd!
2. DO NOT GRAB A CART! It just slowed me down and I had to abandon it. Grab a bag! It was AWFUL lugging around all the goodies I found. I am pretty sure I dropped a few things along the way.
3. Try not to be one of those people that grab everything, then go to a corner and sort through all of the stuff you find. This is just unfair to the rest of us. REI employees are usually trying to help keep this from happening, but I saw this happening. Go into the store expecting to find nothing, grab what you think is a great buy and leave the stuff you most likely won't get alone!
4. The store is most likely divided into sections like electronics, bikes, tents, backpacks, clothes, and shoes. Go to the section of your number one item first!
5. Those friends you met in line may come through for you! I talked to one group in front of me about GoPros and asked if they thought there would be any in there. They said no so I didn't even look for one. I was looking at the hiking shoes and then out of no where one of the guys had two GoPro 3+ Black editions in his hand and told me to take one so of course I did! It was my best find cause I love that thing, even though I don't know how to use it to its full capabilities. Brandon will be in charge of it once he gets home! It was such a steal! With electronics just make sure you test or ask the people working about it before you buy it. They will tell you what is wrong with it, if anything.
6. There is a color coding system assigned to each item. A green sticker means the item is in good shape, yellow means more use, and red means heavily used and bad condition. The best thing is just to examine each item, read the label, then make your own call.
7. Lastly, have fun! Don't have an attitude because this store does so much for their shoppers and members and I would hate for them to let go of the excellent customer service and generous return policy.
I can't wait to use everything I have bought from their in Colorado and in Europe when we are backpacking! It is something I am looking forward to and I know that REI stands behind what they sell so it puts me at ease knowing they are trying their best for us!
Happy shopping!!!
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