One big advantage of garage sales over auctions is that you have less time pressure. You can think about whether to buy something without "Budda-bee budda-bah budda-bee SOLD!" being cried at you. You can look at an item and usually come back later. You can ask the seller about the items, how they work, etc.

Some sellers are more desperate than others to let you take their stuff away, though. You may run across a true fire sale with CDs for a quarter or lawn mowers for a dollar, or whatever, but with pricing information that's easy to get online, people will know what they can reasonably expect to get for their used stuff. So, the gems are a little harder to come by than they used to be.

Negotiating, however, is key to bargain hunting at garage sales. Most sellers will listen to you if you come back with a reasonable offer. They won't listen to you if you try to buy everything in their house for a dollar.

• Arrive early. Most of the good stuff is gone early in the morning.
• But not too early. You risk ticking off the seller by scratching at the bedroom window or otherwise hovering while they're setting up.
• Know what things cost. Click here for more on this.
• Bring cash, including ones and change. Few people will react kindly to twenties, fewer still to checks, and almost no one to credit cards or McDonald's gift certificates.
• But keep it in the car. If you're buying something, and need $2.25 but "left the change in your car," they may just give it to you for $2 to be nice.
• Ask questions. Remember, they want you to take their stuff. They should be honest and let you plug stuff in. If not, watch out.
• Hem and haw. Stall. Be silent. In front of the seller. It will quickly become deafening to some people. They may drop that soda machine from $50 to $40.
• Don't stop there! Offer $35. If you don't ask, you probably won't get. The worst they can do is say no!
• Have fun! This is cheap entertainment!