Clean out your car so you have space to put your garage sale finds.

Make a list of items you're looking for. If you are shopping with others, show them the list, too, so more eyes are looking for what you need.
Start early. Even though you can find good deals at garage sales anytime, showing up early will give you a better chance at the best merchandise.
Pick up and carry items you think you will buy. The same goes for items that don't have a price. Don't assume items will still be there in 10 minutes.
Closing time is a good time to visit garage sales. People are eager to get rid of as much as possible and usually start giving some items away for free.
Cash is king at garage sales. Make sure you have plenty of small bills and change so you don't use up all of the seller's change.
Be friendly to people running sales. A friendly rapport with the person running the sale can make them more receptive to your bartering attempts.
Barter. If you don't like a price, ask the seller if they'll take less, especially if you're offering more than 50 percent of their asking price or buying multiple items.
Plug in electronics you want to buy to confirm they work at the sale. Most houses have outdoor outlets and sometimes people will have an extension cord available just for this purpose. Ask the seller for permission to try before you buy.
Don't buy things that will end up in your garage gathering dust. The first thing to ask yourself when you pick up an item is "How likely is it that I will need to sell this item at my next garage sale?"
Switch neighborhoods if you're not finding good deals at garage sales in your area. Look in your local paper to find sales in other places. There should be plenty of other sales along the way.