G.G. Carbone

Introduction
Saturday, 6 A.M.: You shiver in the cold, early spring morning. The grass is thick with heavy dew. You have a cup of coffee in one hand and a neighborhood map in the other. Your sunglasses diffuse the blinding sunrise creeping over the hill. Your money belt is secured around your waist. An empty tote bag is looped on your shoulder. You adjust your hat and stare at the sign on the garage door that says, "NO EARLY BIRDS!" You repeat your mantra, "The early bird catches the worm, and that’s why I’m here."

Of course, you’re not the only one waiting for the garage sale to open. Ten other people, probably a few dealers, one or two collectors, and other weekend "junkies" are all here for the thrill of finding a treasure and making a fortune.

6:15 A.M.: An elderly woman, let’s call her Granny, snaps on her kitchen light and peeks out the window. She’s astonished at the size of the crowd. "Henry, the line is almost into the street. You better get the boys up."

6:30 A.M.: Two young men who look like football players slump into the chairs at the kitchen table. Henry instructs them to keep an eye on the merchandise and to help load any furniture that sells.

6:45 A.M.: Henry hands the boys a stack of newspaper and a bin of paper and plastic bags. The boys disappear into the garage.

6:50 A.M.: Granny steps outside and sits down in a straight-back chair. She places a steno pad, a pencil, and a gray cash box on the empty card table in front of her.

7:00 A.M. sharp: Granny yells, "Okay, Henry, push the button--now."

Your heart beats faster. You shove your empty coffee cup and map into your tote bag. You dig your sneakers into the grass and take a deep breath. A loud humming noise comes from the garage, and slowly, the door opens. You duck under the door into a world of dust-laden artifacts and untold history. Will you find a treasure today? Maybe. Today could be the day. The garage is overflowing with furniture, tools, china, glass, and books. You quickly scan the tables for something old, new, or unusual and move like a tiger on the hunt to a small, gleaming object on a table in the back corner.

HOOKED ON THE RESALE
If this sounds like you, you are a garage sale, yard sale, tag sale, estate sale, and any-kind-of-sale junkie. Yes, admit it. I am one, too. I’m addicted to the hunt, the deal, and the thrill of buying. Unlike most people, however, I’m also hooked on the resale.

I’ve been a fortune hunter for the last 20 years. My home is decorated with furniture and accessories that I’ve purchased at yard sales and auctions. Most of the gifts I buy for family and friends have come from church bazaars, flea markets, or tag sales. Only within the last few years, however, have I turned my passion into a profitable pastime. That’s right; I don’t keep auction or estate sale treasures anymore. I sell these items for a profit, and I’ll show you how to buy and resell other people’s junk. It’s fun, it’s easy, and it’s profitable! And if you get hooked on treasure hunting, the last chapter tells you how to start your own successful business.

THREE SECRETS TO SUCCESS
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned pro, I’ll reveal tips so that you can make a profit almost immediately with only a small investment of time and money. You’ll learn about antiques and collectibles and how to bargain like a pro, you’ll experience the thrill of making an awesome buy, and you’ll discover essential tips of successful shopping for one reason only--for resale.

My top three secrets to success are
1. Always buy something unique or unusual, either extra large or extra small in size. A unique item could turn out to be rare and sought after by collectors. Something unique or unusual isn’t necessarily old or antique. Buying barely used or new items at sales and selling them for a profit in a consignment gallery or on eBay is often an overlooked market. Not anymore. The secret is out!

2. Knowledge unlocks the treasure. Specialize in a specific collectible area to increase your chances of making a profit on items you buy. Research the market of a particular subject such as World War II military items, 1960s clothing, or Mexican jewelry to give you an edge on the competition when you’re buying at a sale. Then learn about the best places to sell those items whether you sell to another dealer or collector, run the items through a specialty auction, or list them in a specific category on eBay.

3. The secret to finding the treasure is having fun. If you don’t consider bargain hunting fun, when the alarm rings on Saturday at five A.M., press the snooze button, roll over, and go back to sleep. (And dream about the treasures you could collect while I’m out in the trenches finding them!)

YOU CAN HIT THE JACKPOT!
Can you make extra money buying and selling items you find at flea markets, garage sales, and auctions? You bet! Buy something for $100 and sell it for $200. That’s 100 percent profit. You can easily make $100 to $500 in a weekend with little or no risk. Can you make more money, such as $1,000 or more? Sure! You can accomplish this in your spare time, one weekend a month, or every weekend if you get addicted. I’ll admit that a fair amount of time and effort is needed, especially if you want to go full time. Or apply the techniques in this book just once to see if you get lucky--and if you get hooked. Buying and selling are competitive events. Leave the high heels and the silk ties at home. Wear running shoes and deodorant. Put a determined smile on your face. Grab your magnifying glass, flashlight, and map. You’re going hunting for a hidden treasure!

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THE AMERICAN DREAM
Remember the old adage that is certainly true, "One man’s junk is another man’s treasure." We’ve all heard stories about someone finding the bargain of the century and making a fortune! How about the New Jersey schoolteacher who bought a table for $25 at a yard sale and sold it at a New York auction for $540,000? Or what about the couple that bought a small oil painting for $50 when the auctioneer joked, "This is a Rembrandt," and the painting turned out to be the real thing? Stories such as these keep you hunting for that one item that could land you on Easy Street or Got It Made Boulevard.

I’m on a never-ending treasure hunt, but I can’t attend every auction or stop at every garage sale. That’s why I’m writing this book. Maybe you’ll find that one-in-a-million Picasso painting or platinum brooch with real rubies. And maybe you’ll find it because I gave you one extra tip to help you on your quest for the American dream. "Good Luck!" I hope you find a treasure (or two) and make a fortune!