289194 Tue May 07 16:13:25 -0700 2002 13 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1564514 I'm going to be trolling Yard/Estate/Garage sales this weekend for some Le Creuset, iron skillets and retro hand mixers. What else do people buy from these sales? Tue May 07 16:13:25 -0700 2002 0 Abbylovi 1 1564517 I paid $2 for an iron at a yard sale in Kansas City, 20 years ago...New in box! I finally gave in and replaced it last week...And of course, as you already pointed out, all my cast-iron..But thanks to this board, I'll soon be trolling for cook-books, too! Tue May 07 16:29:04 -0700 2002 1564514 0 galleygirl 2 1564545 Last weekend I got an electric juicer at a "yard" sale. It was a bargain at $4, but I'm glad I didn't pay any more than that. I'm sure it works as well as it ever did, but it's the worst-designed appliance ever. The fruit drops through a chute onto a rotating metal coffee filter. The problem is that there's about five times as much space in the juicing chamber as there needs to be, and the mechanism sprays pulp all over the inside. Of course the lining of the chamber is built-in and there are lots of little areas that can only be cleaned with aa Q-tip. Tue May 07 19:56:18 -0700 2002 1564517 0 Lindsay B. 1 1564522 I'm not a big yard sale person, but I just got a bunch of the Time Life cookbooks on Ebay- 9 books (spiral bound, not the hardcovers) for $12.50, including shipping. Although Ebay may be much more of a hassle and less of an adventure, you can target and compare specific items you may be looking for. Tue May 07 16:44:24 -0700 2002 1564514 0 cypressstylepie 2 1564526 Dear Pie: eBay is more of a hassle, but great if you are looking for something specific. I got all of the hardcover Time-Life books for about $40.00, which I thought was pretty great. The seller also sent me alot of the spirals which I have around here somewhere. I don't really want the spirals, so if you let me know which ones you want (or which ones you HAVE) I'll be glad to send you the titles you need to help fill out your collection. NO CHARGE of course, just as a fellow chowhound. You could send me a check for the postage though! If you're concerned about security check with the post office and see if I can send general delivery, or to your office or something. -David Tue May 07 16:55:52 -0700 2002 1564522 0 sylvesterrussell 1 1564523 This is the best way to buy the best stuff! Used furniture stores are a good source too, the have to buy everything in an estate to get the furniture and the kitchenware, linen, etc. is usually an annoyance to them and priced cheap to sell. I have found terific used pots, pans, utensils, baking pans, pyrex, table linen, flatware, everything. When you consider that an All-Clad jelly roll pan is $100.00 this is an excellent way to buy. (Local auctions have really good "box lots" sometimes too). Tue May 07 16:46:34 -0700 2002 1564514 0 sylvesterrussell 2 1564610 Yes, yes, yes!! Got a "box" full of professional hard-anodized Calphalon from a yard sale. The woman didn't like them because they were not non-stick. Turns out there was about $750 worth of stuff in there. Did I tell you my husband found them (he's been trained well!) and paid the tremendous sum of......$30. Gotta love it! Wed May 08 14:43:02 -0700 2002 1564523 0 DeeS. 3 1564612 It's the stuff like that that I LOVE. I recently found two beautiful yellow Le Crueset round Dutch Ovens (2 different sizes!) at the Salvation Army for $15 each. I just about kissed the cashier. Wed May 08 14:47:28 -0700 2002 1564610 0 Abbylovi 4 1564616 You know, it's sooooo hard to not stand at the checkout line and quiver with excitement when you find deals like that! You really have to contain yourself or the person on the other end thinks you're a weirdo! I haven't gone looking for deals in a long time but this thread has made me want to go!! Wed May 08 14:57:24 -0700 2002 1564612 0 DeeS. 1 1564531 Sorry folks, a friend and I have this rule. Cynical as it may seem ... Never buy things from garage sales or ebay in which body parts could have been chopped or cooked. (yes, i realize that there is something wrong with my wiring that i think this ...) Tue May 07 17:30:59 -0700 2002 1564514 0 jen maiser 2 1564533 I'm the oddly-wired friend. It's like buying a used hairbrush or something! It's just not right. I confess, I have purchased bowls from yard sales, but I disinfect them with a bleach and water solution; they are usually decorative anyway (smooth sides=no parts can get stuck)... Yes, we are freaks and we know it so don't flame us. ;) Tue May 07 17:36:58 -0700 2002 1564531 0 wow i'm a dog 1 1564532 Buy anything that's solid and well made[and in good condition].I collect old kitchen tools and books,and you can occasionally luck into a trove of good stuff.Do a quick scan of the type of stuff people are selling-a lot of garage sales aren't worth too much time;lots of cheap plastic and macrame are usually a bad sign.Estate sales tend to charge higher prices-if you see something that you MUST have,do not hesitate,or it may be gone by the time you turn your head. Tue May 07 17:34:49 -0700 2002 1564514 0 M.K. 1 1564608 Cast iron pans...already seasoned!!! (Jen and Wow, nothing can survive on these things when you heat them to smoking hot temps and then re-season, as I always do before I use them!) Wed May 08 14:33:38 -0700 2002 1564514 0 Jill-O 1 1564733 Among the treasures in my kitchen scavenged from yard sales and thrift stores: carbon steel knives (love how they hold the edge!), trusty espresso machine that has guided me through 7 years of mornings, pyrex double boiler, white ceramic casserole with grape motif, Limoges & Wedgewood china, Fiesta-ware type serving plates & cake plates, vintage tableclothes and potholders, Tikki cups, sterling silver flatware, tableclothes, a marble rolling pin, cast iron pans and oh I could go on and on. My kitchen is overflowing so I don't buy much now, but I will always make room for more carbon steel knives. High maintenance but worth it to me, my chef buddies drool over mine and try to walk off with them. I'm also a sucker for vintage promotional party planning and drink recipe booklets that were published in the 50's & 60's by distilleries, offering recipes for such things as "Gin & Nothing" and "Tasty Tongue Treat"... Thu May 09 17:22:55 -0700 2002 1564514 0 Jennie Sheeks