10 Things You Should Never Buy at a Rummage or Garage Sale

Summer is here and that means it is rummage sale season! This is the time of year when people drive around the city looking for other people who are selling all the junk they no longer want, but yet hope someone else will buy. Personally, I sort of like going to rummage sales. Sometimes I find a tool I can use or a toy for the kids, sometimes I am astounded by how much people over-value their used junk, and always I find myself asking, "Why would anyone ever have wanted this?" Even when I think I have seen it all, there is always another sale where I find something I can't believe someone is actually trying to sell. With that in mind, I have put together a little guide of items I would recommend never buying at a rummage or garage sale. While it isn't in any particular order, I am sure you will agree with some of these more than others.

1. Underwear. I don't care how bad the economy may be, there is never a time when you should be buying used drawers. Eat one less taco for dinner, look in a parking lot for change, do whatever it takes but never buy someone else's used underwear. The thought of it is pretty nasty, not to mention you really have to wonder about the people trying to sell it.

2. Medicine. I have only seen this at one rummage sale although I did see someone else selling the old empty bottles. Besides being illegal to buy and sell drugs at a garage sale, who would be dumb enough to pop someone else's old prescription meds? I take that back, I know a bunch of people who would take them but that doesn't make it right, safe or legal.

3. Cassette Tapes. Seriously, if you need your daily Duran Duran or Ratt fix just download the song. There is this thing called technology, a lot of people are using it now and you shouldn't be afraid to give it a try.

4. Stuffed Animals. What rummage sale doesn't have stuffed animals? Whether it was that $2.00 dog someone spent $25.00 on at the fair or it was a Sweetest Day present that has sat in the closest for 15 years, everyone has stuffed animals to get rid of. The problem is, everyone thinks they are a good idea, cute and so on, but you buy them, they sit around for a few years and then they end up where, the rummage sale. Stuffed animals are a waste of money and you don't know what grubby little kid slept with it, peed on it or what bugs have nested in it while it has been sitting in the damp basement for the past so many years.

5. Spandex. Have you ever noticed that most people who wear spandex are stretching it to the limits of its fibers flexing capabilities? I'm not saying, I'm just saying. Can you imagine the amount of sweat and other bodily fluids that those spandex have absorbed? In other words, just say no to used spandex.

6. Mounted Animals, including those talking wall fish. First, you didn't shoot it or catch it so you don't need it. Second, they are sort of creepy. I have seen a bunch of these at rummage sales and the animals always look pretty freaky. The last raccoon I saw looked pretty angry, or rabid, and I would hate to walk into the house one night having forgotten that thing was going to be looking at me as I came around the corner. Oh, and those talking fish, why do you think they are at the sale? Yes the commercial was funny the first 50 times you saw it, but no one really wants or needs one.

7. Appliances. This is the one area where I would say there are exceptions. However, why would you spend 50% for a used appliance that comes with no warranty? All new appliances go on sale and you can always return them. At a rummage sale it is usually an all sales final policy. Sure you can find a deal out there if you really have a need for a particular appliance. Remember though, there is a reason why that microwave, dishwasher, or television is at the rummage sale and once you buy it you are stuck with it.

8. Personal Hygiene Products. It is strange but true. I have seen people selling half empty bottles of shampoo, slightly used make-up, even foot spas, heating pads and razors. This all sort of goes back to the underwear philosophy. Imagine where this stuff has been, the people that have used it, and think to yourself, do I really want that on my body, really? Maybe this is my own personal phobia but I'm not into sharing toothbrushes or using a razor someone else may have cut themselves with.

9. Anything that says missing a part or needs fixing. I appreciate the honesty but why would I buy something that is broken or doesn't work? If it was that easy to repair or find a replacement piece for then the seller would have done it. Maybe you see yourself as some sort of Bob the Builder and you think you can fix anything, super. Personally, I probably can't and with the time and money it would cost me to try I would be better off just buying a new one.

10. Things that say Vintage or Antique. I am not saying don't buy things that are vintage or antique, I am saying don't buy things the seller has marked as such. Usually these items are way overpriced. Either the seller thinks it is worth way more than it is or they have done some research and found a value they think they can get. Remember, it is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, not what some magazine values it at or what a seller thinks they should get for it.

Bonus Item: Adult Toys. You don't want to know so don't even ask. This is literally a hands off item. Why someone would try to sell this is beyond me and the only thing I can think of that is worse then the person trying to sell it is the person who actually buys it, used.

So there you have it. Rummage sales can be a lot of fun, especially the looking at other people's junk. You may even come across something you can really use or something that is just so cheap you can't pass it up. However, there are items that should never be bought from a rummage sale and I hope you keep this little list in mind the next time you are out shopping in someone else's garage.