In towns and neighborhoods, vendors share advertising costs, draw up maps, and provide many shopping opportunities in a close proximity. While I poked over used goods at a weekend rummage sale in Sioux Falls, I also tried to do a little research on what shoppers want, bargaining and tips to buying. The top sellers at any rummage are baby items, cribs, strollers, walkers, swings, toys and clothes, according to many of the rummage sale vendors I talked with. Although baby clothes are popular, adult clothing is slow to sell at most rummages. After marking items down, many vendors donate their leftover clothing to local thrift shops.
Many sellers say they welcome customers asking for a discount.
Lori Fetterman, Elk Point, S.D., uses her aunt's house in Sioux Falls to sell her rummage items as part of the annual Kingswood Sale, the largest rummage sale in South Dakota. It depends on the person. Rhonda Ceretti of Vermillion never asks for one. I've never been able to do that. I usually have a list when I go to a sale.