What's the best bargain you've ever found at a garage sale or thrift store? What was the most valuable thing that you bought for a very reasonable price? How and where did you find it and do you still have it?
38 Comments
Jenny M
11/24/2010 12:56:48 pm
I’ve never gone to any garage sales or thrift store. I have no idea what the prices are like at these stores. I am not interested in buying second hand stuff, especially clothes. But I still hear people talk about what they got and how low the prices are from the garage sale or thrift store.
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Noby
4/3/2012 08:12:21 am
You have mentioned more than once that you are not a fan of second hand items, especially clothing...yet items are frequently used or worn and returned to stores. Who knows, your rice cooker may have been a re-packaged return...and at not even 50% off, it doesn't seem like that great a bargain. THRIFT STORES ROCK!
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Veniamin Susin
11/25/2010 09:26:24 am
I have being at garage sale few times, but have not gotten anything. I have made few garage sales myself and sold lots of stuff.
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Bénédicte C.
11/26/2010 06:55:18 am
I usually don’t go to a garage sale or thrift store. I have never been to a garage sale in the US, however a friend took me to two thrift stores. It was Goodwill, and Freestyle. Even if I didn’t buy anything, I was surprised to find good stuffs. I found good shoes for a good price but it was not my size. If you don’t have a lot of money, you can make very good bargains. I usually prefer buy new clothes, I like to know that nobody has used it before; but I think we can find very good bargains at a garage sale or thrift store. I used to buy old books at garage sales in France. I have still some of them, and I have sold some other books at garage sales.
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Yelena Gr.
11/26/2010 11:45:27 am
I don't go to the thrift store or garage sale, because there are many outlet stores.
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Paraskoviya
11/26/2010 01:21:57 pm
In my country there are no garage sales. Here was the first time we found out and saw garage sale, I like that very much. Especially in the spring after the winter that is when people usually clean up their houses and take all their unneeded stuff out for a garage sale. For example, when we first came bought almost all the required things for our household. We liked most f the things because they were in good conditions. Two years ago we bought ourselves two couches one sofa and one ottoman for only one hundred and fifty dollars. We bought it from Americans in really good conditions and we still use it. This year we bought a kitchen table for one hundred dollars it’s a wood table, it’s really pretty, I like it and I think I will use it for a long time. I also bought a lot of clothing for the poor families in my country and I sent it to them. Also, a lot of shoes for very cheap prices like one dollar or fifty cents. And I sent that too. People in my country really like American stuff, especially baby clothes because it is easy to wash them and the are soft and comfortable. Yes I like garage sales I used to go to garage sales almost every Saturday. I saved a lot of money for my budget, because sometimes we bought new clothes for $2-5. I remember we bought one box with fifty new cups for five dollars. Two years we already used the cups. I like garage-sale it saves a lot of money and we have fun.
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Paraskoviya M.
11/26/2010 01:22:21 pm
In my country there are no garage sales. Here was the first time we found out and saw garage sale, I like that very much. Especially in the spring after the winter that is when people usually clean up their houses and take all their unneeded stuff out for a garage sale. For example, when we first came bought almost all the required things for our household. We liked most f the things because they were in good conditions. Two years ago we bought ourselves two couches one sofa and one ottoman for only one hundred and fifty dollars. We bought it from Americans in really good conditions and we still use it. This year we bought a kitchen table for one hundred dollars it’s a wood table, it’s really pretty, I like it and I think I will use it for a long time. I also bought a lot of clothing for the poor families in my country and I sent it to them. Also, a lot of shoes for very cheap prices like one dollar or fifty cents. And I sent that too. People in my country really like American stuff, especially baby clothes because it is easy to wash them and the are soft and comfortable. Yes I like garage sales I used to go to garage sales almost every Saturday. I saved a lot of money for my budget, because sometimes we bought new clothes for $2-5. I remember we bought one box with fifty new cups for five dollars. Two years we already used the cups. I like garage-sale it saves a lot of money and we have fun.
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Vasylysa Moskalenko
11/26/2010 04:08:05 pm
I don't remember me to go to garage sale and buy anything really good and cheap, but I know my parents did. Especially when we first came to the America, they alway went to garage sale or thrift store to buy staff that we need. My parents bought many things from garage sale. I know that they bought some beds, chair, sofa and many other things. They said that if you want something cheap, and good then u can find it on garage sale or in thrift store. I'm sure that it true. I think some people don't want to trow that thing away and he try to sell for not too much, and it can be in good condition. I know my mom sometimes bought a cloths from Goodwill and it was a brand new and cheap. My mom said if she to garage sale or thrift store she can safe money and have fun. I prefer more new things then used already. I believe that I can find what I need for cheap and safe some money, but I don't really like to use things or clothes that someone already used. I remember I bought couple of used books. They was in good condition and very cheap. I dont really like to buy a clothes from thrift store or garage sale, because I dont know who were wear it, and then i have to wear after him. I know my parents really like to buy things to clean our back yard, or furniture. I know that not so long time ago they bought a kitchen table from garage sale or something else. not sure but I know that the table was already used. This table in very good condition. I think that the price was low. I like that idea about garage sale or thrift store, because anyway if person don't have much money he can go and buy things for cheap.
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MDeLosRios
11/27/2010 04:09:33 am
The garage sales are a cultural tradition in United States, people enjoy and get lots of things at very good prices, for me is not a custom and I don’t like to buy second hand things in special clothes.
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Watsana R.
11/27/2010 04:37:54 am
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Veronica C
11/27/2010 05:00:12 am
I don’t usually go to garage sale or thrift store in the U.S., because I was there once in my life and I didn’t find anything good. I know that there are very good bargain at garage sale or thrift store, but people should go very often there.
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Trong H
11/27/2010 01:38:05 pm
I usually go to buy some things at a garage sale , thrift store , or goodwill . There are some things look like brand new because some people got some stuffs from some else give for them or some things they bought but they used only one or several times . When they don't need it then they sell them in garage sale or donate to goodwill , thrift store , a non profit organization. One time I went to goodwill , I saw one Sony playstation 3,
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Lyubov H.
11/27/2010 02:18:41 pm
I have gone to garage sales many times.I do not like to buy clothes, but I like to look at other things.It's interesting to see what people are selling and talk to them.I've bought a lot of stuff on garage sales.I've bought some things in very good condition that I couldn't afford to buy new ones in stores.Recently, I have bought a very nice big doll house for my little granddaughter.When I asked how much it cost, I was very surprised because it cost only $2.The house has six rooms,stairs,bathroom, and kitchen.All house was furnished with good quality wood furniture.I haven't seen so a nice doll house in any stores.Also I bought a nice big painting picture and a bike for my son.My husband bought some tools on garage sales for cheap prise,but in stores they cost a lot.I like to read books.On garage sale I bought a book shelf and more than 50 almost new books for $5.So, now I have what to read in my free time.I think, that reading English books is good for me.It's help me improve my English.I read an article about a man who bought a map in thrift store for $2 that was unique and very expensive.I haven't seen very good things in thrift stores, but on garage sales,I saw some really good stuff for cheap prise.
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Tim bogveradze
11/28/2010 05:45:30 am
Many times I heard from people that on garage sales you can buy many good things and you can find for cheaper prise. Maybe it is but I haven't but anything ion the garage sale. Buy my house there is many times people have garage sales. My friend on the garage sale he bought a good bike for forty dollars but in the store it costs more then hundred dollars.
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Tatyana K.
11/28/2010 05:46:42 am
I rarely go shopping at garage sales. However, I like to go there in one of the summer Saturday mornings and have fun buying some stuff for very low prices. This summer I went to garage sale to buy toys for my daughter. In the stores toys costs 10-15 dollars and more. At a garage sale I bought comparable toys for two- three dollars and even less. The most valuable thing that I bought for a very reasonable price was electric car for children. I bought it for 20 dollars, while at a store the price of similar toy is about 250 dollars. We bought it from family, where a girl was already grew up and doesn’t play with this car anymore. Money from selling parents gave to their daughter and we were satisfied that that girl got profit from selling her toys. My daughter likes this red car very much .We still have it and my child enjoy riding on this car. That garage sale was in Fair Oaks, somewhere by Greenback and Fair Oaks streets. I think you can buy something interesting in different places. For example, my husband found an air mattress, almost new for 10 dollars, a guitar stand for 5 dollars, and a doghouse for 4 dollars. We save a lot of money, because in a store the similar doghouse costs about 70 dollars. Buying stuff at garage sales is fun, because you can buy things you really need for very cheap prices.
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Marcos.C
11/28/2010 05:53:27 am
I do not usually go to garage sale or thrift store that I have birds wings long time to go thrift stores but if you go second hand stores wings is my dad loves going to the stores to find wings such good things as buy a chair for $ 20 room in a good condition and still have it in the house and also bought a house Esterio and things that my father has purchased those found in garage sales and it's all what I can talk about second-hand sales
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Tetyana SH
11/28/2010 06:16:51 am
I've never gone to any garage sales and
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Elvia Es
11/28/2010 07:45:21 am
The best bargain I' ve ever found at a garage sale was almost five years ago. It was when I moved to this country and the thing was a mattress, the owner sold it to me for only five dollars. I was very happy because I was sleeping in the floor since one months ago. This was the best bargain but, I don't have that mattress now. I bought a bed and I have to put in the trash my old matrress.
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Rostislav Kh.
11/28/2010 09:27:04 am
Usually I do not like to buy something in the thrift stores or garage sales. But I think that you sometimes can find there some good and not expensive things. Many my friends often buy things there. In Russia, there are not things like garage sales, but there are many second hand stores. They sell a lot of good clothes, furniture and household appliances. But when I lived in Russia, I have rarely bought things at these stores. However, I have bought a used cars for good price. These cars I have bought in Moscow. After a little repair, I was selling their in Krasnodar. The difference of price was great. I think it was a good deal. Denver was the first city in the U.S. where I came from Russia. There I learned about garage sales. I lived in an apartment and I needed a lot of things. I have often been at garage sales. One day I was lucky, we bought a nice almost new chairs for dining room. We bought them for $ 50, although they cost $ 80 per each in store. It was a good deal, I still use them.
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Olga C
11/28/2010 09:27:23 am
In my country there are no garage sales, but in United States the garage sales are traditional. I don't have a custom to see garage sales and I don't like to buy second hand things in special clothes. I usually prefer buying new clothes, because there are other stores that have 50-75% discount every week. There are new items for very good prices. I'd rather have that then used clothes, and sometimes used things usually breaks or doesn't work good. So I never go to garage sales or thrift stores.
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Normita Due
11/28/2010 10:12:48 am
I've been too a garage sale once in my life. I seen the signs all over the place especially during the summer. Then one day on my way home from work there was one straight across the street from my apartment. My boyfriend said "hey look over there I think I see a microwave oven. We had been looking for a new a microwave but the one I liked was over a $100 dollars. So I said O.K. let's stop and look.
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Yu Brown
11/28/2010 10:59:17 am
I don’t go to garages sale or thrift shops because I don’t like them. I am not interested in buying second hand stuff. I know a lot of people go to garage sales and thrift shops. It’s super cheap and you have a lot of choices. I do think it is fun to negotiate. I remember five years ago the church I used to go to had a big garage sale every year. I did sell all kinds of stuff and we have a lot of left over items that we gave to people for free. But I like sales that sometimes happen at the department store. Like after Thanksgiving, Christmas and Fourth of July.
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Tina Sh.
11/28/2010 12:16:12 pm
I don’t really like to buy used things at garage sale or thrift stores because I think that things could be broken or don’t work really good, or because I am squeamish. But it doesn’t mean that I never do it. I believe that everyone has a chance to buy something really valuable for very reasonable price. For example, my husband bought motorboat only for 50 dollars. Owner of the boat had three boats and that one that he sold to us was just not new brand. It costs more than three thousand dollars in stores or from other owners. I was sure that it was broken one because nobody will sale good boat for 50 dollars but luckily I was wrong. Now my husband uses that boat for fishing and just for fun with friends. I think that was a really good bargain we ever found at garage sale.
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snezhana shloma
11/28/2010 01:58:48 pm
I like to go to thrift store sometimes because i can find there really nice and new clothes for cheap.I often do there with my because she is really good shopper.She always can find something really nice.She even can really bargain.However,i never been at garage sale,but i heared many friends bought lots of good stuff there for cheap.One day i went shopping with my friend,and we decided to go to thrift store just to check it out if something good over there.I founded one really good "Hollister" jacket.It was brand new,and was exactly my size.I was happy and excited. I grab it as soon as i try this on and went to the cash register. It was a nice shopping day for me.In "hollister" this jacket coast around $100 in this store but i bought it for $10.It was very valuable thing that i ever buy.All my friend ask me where did i buy this jacket,and they all think that i bought this for $100....lol..In addition,everybody should go to this kinds of store sometimes you can buy there something good and really brand new thing.This is just my opinion.
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Ivan R
11/28/2010 01:59:25 pm
I been only once in the garage sale since I came to U.S..It happened by chance.I even haven't any plans for that day.My girlfriend called me and asked me to go with her on garage sale.She heard from her parents about many cheap things on garage sales,which she was needed.Also she said "you can find stuffs and things,which you need".We were in lots of places and couldn't find anything interesting stuffs for us.When we were wiling to go home,we saw a lot of people by one house and we decided do go in our last place.When we went there we saw a lot of interesting and needed things.They were all new stuffs and clothes.We were surprised about it.I asked her "why you selling this all new stuffs so cheap"?She said she had a business and decided to go out of her business and sale all her stuffs and clothes.
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Olga Tymoshenko
11/28/2010 02:04:53 pm
I have been to a lot of garage sales and thrift stores in my life. Only when I get lucky, I'll find something good. Once I wanted to buy some lotion at a thrift store, so I asked what the price is , they said it was .50. I was surprised, so I bought it of course. I mean they have cheap prices there and some of the stuff are actually really useful. Sometimes I think it's good to go to garage sales because maybe a rich family lives there, you never know. Also, they might want to maybe sell their old stuff that they bought for about maybe $2,000. So, it's always good to stop by some garage sales and check them out. In the past, I thought that garage sales were lame and they were only for old and uncool people. I was wrong, I actually like going to garage sales. You could sometimes get lucky and buy something very valuable and something that you might like for a lesser price. I'm glad I stop by as much garage sales and thrift stores as I can because I need a lot of stuff right now, I'm not trying to be greedy, I'm just saying that EVERYBODY needs a lot of things in these days. People are becoming poor, so it's hard for some people. Anyway, everyone should have a chance to stop by at least once or twice by a thrift store or garage sale, believe me you'll like it!!
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Salam AB
11/28/2010 03:53:07 pm
I got many valuables things from the thrift store especially when I was new in the U.S.The prices were incredible for me.Many things were used.Sometimes I could find something new.All the thing that I got were like a bargain to me.I remember when I got my bicycle from the thrift store I think that was the best bargain I have ever found in a thrift store.The most valuable thing that I bought for a reasonable price was my MP3 player.Like I said in a previous essay that it was made by Microsoft.Microsoft Company was new in this business field so they dropped their prices to a very reasonable price even better.The quality was barely the same with the other products especially the products that were made by Apple Company.The other thing I did not get the MP3 player from a local store,but I got it from the internet.There is a web site called Amazon.This web site has a contract with almost every local store in the area around you,and out side your city even your state.They has a contract in a way that makes it in control of part of the price.Usually I find the prices in Amazon cheaper than the local stores.Why? I do not know.So for the above two reasons,my MP3 player was the most valuable thing that I have ever bought.As I said I found it on the internet from Amazon web site.I still have the device,and it works good for me.I use it whenever I feel boring ,and have nothing to do.
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Lyudmyla G
11/29/2010 03:00:11 am
In my life I always like bargains.In my country Ukraine I could have bargains on street market and in second hands.But in US we can have it everywhere.I never wasn't on garage sale but my friend told me about it.I know people can buy things for low price.In thrift stores we can buy a lot things.Some of them are cheaper some little bit higher.One time I went to Russian thrift store and looked at everything.I picked up somethings and went to the cashier.But suddenly my husband called me and said,look at that Jepe it will be good for our son.I said it is too expensive.Then husband went to ask.The owner said that jepe is worth $5.It was without battery and charger.So,we bought that jepe for $5.Then we went to the wal-mart and bought battery and charger.All things cost about $50.Original price for that jepe in Toy store is $300.I still have it.It works well.Our son is very happy about his jepe.He can ride easier.
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Alena P
11/29/2010 07:35:38 am
I usually prefer buy new clothes and new household items. Bud I think for people who didn't have a much money garage sale and trift srores it is very good thing. I have know about american people they like to buy a lot of not nessesery things and then don't used them. That stuff stay years and years in they clothets ore garages ,finaly all goes to be selling for chaep.It is fun for people byu for a 100$ and sell for 3$.But for people who find a good deal it is awessome.They spend a lot of money.I know some ukranian people who sick about garage sales. Every Saturday they weake up early in the morning and going to find garage sales.It so funy,I think it is hobby for some people.
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FatmirK
11/29/2010 02:13:20 pm
This semester I am taking a few ESL classes also I am taking a Math class. This class required me to use a graphing calculator called TI83 or 89. After looking everywhere for a good priced graphing calculator. But the averaged price for this type of calculators is around 115 dollar which is way to expensive for my budge.
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fatima hernandez
11/29/2010 05:33:35 pm
I have never gotten anything in a third store, but one thing that I bought recently was a vacuum in a garage sale. I moved out from my house in June of this year so I didn’t have anything for my house. I moved to an apartment and I noticed that I had to buy a vacuum. The vacuums are kind of expensive so I decided to find a garage sale and see if they had one. Finally I found one near my house and eventually they had one. It’s a white old fashion vacuum. The owners explained me how it work and I saw that it works. I asked them how much? They said $5 dollars I thought it was great so I got it. I still have it and works great even though is old and some things don’t work right. I don’t like buying stuff in third stores like clothes or shoes because I think they are filthy. If I would like go to a third store I would just buy furniture or jewelry.
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Tatyana San
11/30/2010 04:54:28 am
I have not visited a garage sale, since I came to the USA, but I have visited a thrift store. When I first time saw the thrift sore, I was surprise how many interesting things people can find there. When people moved they would drop things off at the thrift store they don’t longer need or want. They do this to provide others with items as they are starting out in life to have things at a less expensive price. There are many interesting examples of people’s life style. To find good bargains you need to have time to search and look around. I don’t have a lot of time to spend it in the store, but I was surprise to find some interesting things. For example, I found big beautiful candles one dollar each, color for my cats for same price, new modern bag just for three dollars. One day, I was lucky to visited this store when items were on sale for 50% off. I bought many jewelry that were good quality and very cheap price. During this summer I enjoyed to wear them. The most valuable thing that I bought a very reasonable price was a Louis Vuitton bag for 25 dollars, which usually costs more than 600 dollars. I find it in the thrift store in Roseville. I like my bag a lot and many people told me they like my bag also. My friend bought a dunning room sate for a very cheep price, but modern looking.
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alex h
12/3/2010 10:29:33 am
In our country we have flea market where many people can sell and buy used things.For selling used clothes we have special stores like thrift stores in America. In our city we have a couple special warehouses where we can buy used kitchen appliances made in Europe.Those used refrigerators ,washers, and microwaves are better than the similar new made in china.When we came to this country our friends took us to garage sale. We bought good things which we needed for our apartment and we didn't spend a lot of money because the prices were very low.From that time, I have been many times on garage sales. This year we bought a crib for our grandchild.That day we have visited a few garage sales and finally we found one for a good price.Owner wanted $25 for it but we offered $20. Owner sold that crib for $20 and we were happy because crib was almost new and in a very good condition. Also, we bought clothes for children and prices were very cheap. They were like from .25 cents to $1. Sometimes you can see prices 3 item for $1.It is very good deal.My son[13 year] bought a bike in excellent condition for only $6. He was very happy and now he always go with us. Once, we bought a wooden table for kitchen.We paid only $1 for it.Earlier I bought many tools to fix my car and they were in good condition.I like garage sales.
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12/3/2010 04:41:24 pm
I rare go to the thrift store or garage sale.I more like go shopping in big storewhere alot of nice things and very good smell. I like buy things in store because somtimes there is a big sale and I can buy new good things very cheap and save many money . However my husband and my son very like go to the thrist tore.Especialy my son because there he can a lot of different things what he likes .There they bought bicycle and skateboard for son very cheap price. Somethimes I like go to the garage sale. There can buy many things for children. Children grow very fast and clothes and toys still in very good condition. My best burgain was baby buggy for my granddauther.It was cheaper price than in store.It very good that we have in U.S. trift stores and garage sale. When I lived in Ukraine we did not have garage sale.A lot of people have old furniture and they want it change on new furniture.They can open garage sale and sell old furniture.I think it is very convenient for them.
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Valentyna Ryshkova
12/4/2010 07:52:47 am
I don't go to garage sales. Usually, I don't buy used things. So it is Difficult to write about thrift stores and garage sales. However, I do buy inexpensive items at stores. For example, I went to Kohl's the other day. There were many different things at this store. I saw a pink robe, and I decided to buy it. This robe was on sale. The regular price was $46.00. The robe was on sale for 50% off. I paid for the robe with several gift cards. Because I used the gift cards, I only paid $3.00 for the robe. For me, this is a good bargain. I do not think I could buy such a nice robe at a thrift store. I also bought some towels later at K Mart. These towels were also on sale. There towels only cost $10.00. So you can find bargains in many places. The secret is to look for them. Many people don't know where to look for bargains, but I do.
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Iana N.
12/6/2010 03:53:13 pm
I have never been in any garage sale or thrift store. I did not find any porches over there. I don’t have any idea what you can find there. But I usually don’t go to expensive stores. For example, I don’t go to Nordstrom , but I go to Nordstrom rack. You can find very nice brand for chipper price. Why you should pay more, if you can buy the same staff ,but chipper. Even in chipper stores like ross ,tj-max, target, marshals or another, I always try to find cloth on sales. You probably can find some good staff on garage sale or thrift store, but I prefer to buy new cloth. I don’t like to wear some cloth that were wiring before. Anyway I thing it is very good that we have garage sale and thrift store in this country. It is the best way to buy something for people who don’t have enough money. And it is very good for people who just came in this country. Many people like to buy porches on garage sale or thrift store, and I thing it is smart. people can find nice paintings for their collections. Really why you should pay more, if you can buy good stuff at garage sale or thrift store. I thing I should go to some of garage sale, maybe I would like it. I thing there are a lot of interesting and good things. I want to see if I like it or no.
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Reyna M.
12/13/2010 03:38:36 am
For sure I've been to a garage sale three times.The first one I went,Im not sure If I buy anything,maybe only my friend bought something,then she just given me the one I want.Oh!she's so generous.That's the way she is.Thers is a lot that I liked but I did not have money at that time,then I don't really like buying what other people have already used,unless if I like it much.The second time,when the ex-husband of my friend had a garage sale.Once again I did'nt buy anything,but he has given me a lot of stuff,personal things and the two of my favorite the long stool and a broom, t a product from my country.And not too long ago our next door nieghbor had an estate sale.I did'nt buy,but my friend bought a lot and then she gave some to me.There is a set of kitchen ware that I really liked but I was not able to buy.Later on I regret,wish I bought it.
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8/17/2016 12:01:04 am
This is prone to air in the system which causes to coolant to become air-bound and stop circulating thru the engine. Upon opening the overflow tank cap, a distinct oil and raw fuel odor was detected. Clue number
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