The annual 411 Yard Sale is back!
Today (Thursday) through Sunday (October 3rd – 6th) a bargain shopper’s paradise will be stretching all the way from Leeds, Alabama to Newport, Tennessee, and of course Cherokee County will be hosting a big part of the action.
The route runs through Rainbow City and Gadsden in Etowah County into Cherokee County – including Leesburg and Centre – bringing hundreds of vendors and treasure hunters alike along the way, as they follow the route on into Cave Spring and Rome in Georgia – and then, on to the final stretch in Tennessee.
Here are some tips to make sure a fun – and safe – time is had by all!
Go early in the morning, as soon as the yard sales start. The good stuff goes fast.
Take plenty of cash in small bills, and take more than you think you’ll need. Most sellers won’t take checks. If you find an unexpected treasure, someone else will likely snag it while you’re hunting for a cash machine.
Plan your yard sale route in advance to make sure you hit the best of the advertised sales. It’s a treasure hunt. Think of your route as the map where X marks the spot — or spots in this case.
Watch for yard sale signs, and take the detour if you find one pointing to an unadvertised sale nearby. Unadvertised sales don’t get as much traffic, and you might score big.
Drive your largest vehicle or pull a trailer, especially if you’re hoping to find furniture.
Don’t be afraid to haggle when you’d like a lower price. If the seller won’t budge, swing back by later in the afternoon — when the sale is about to end and the seller is tired.
Don’t overlook pieces that just need a little cosmetic work, but beware of costly repairs that exceed the item’s worth.
Imagine how you could use items instead of getting stuck on their original purpose. For example, a piece of iron fencing makes a good headboard or pot rack. You can re-upholster chair seats with the good parts of a damaged rug, or use an old chenille bedspread as a tablecloth.
Don’t buy something if you can’t figure out how to use it. It becomes clutter instead of treasure.
You never know what you’ll find – so make it a point to go “treasure hunting” this weekend
Since 2003 the Highway 411 Yard Sale has been a guaranteed good time for one and all – so don’t miss out!