I forgot, one of the coolest places to get t-shirts and stuff for bingo prizes or door prizes is your local radio stations. I got t-shirts, frisbees, and coupons for free stuff at local businesses. most were happy to help. last year they gave us the little chic-fa-le stuffed cow with a coupon for a free sandwich, glow pens with a free drink at subway and some other stuff i can't remember. hope this helps.

TODAY HAS BEEN GOOD WITH THE DONATION FINDING.
HERE'S MY LUCK:
1) BRAND NEW CONSOLE FOR A MINI VAN
2) A FREE MANICURE
3) PRAY FOR ME HERE---HOPEFULLY A CANOE TRIP DOWN THE WITHALACOOTCHI? RIVER ON THE FL/GA LINE

LAST YEAR I GOT A MOLE TRAP DONATED AND IT WAS A BIG HIT. WHAT IS THE STRANGEST THING YOU HAVE EVER GOTTEN DONATED?

Any garage sale could have inventory. Direct sales like Mary or PartyLite are the most common here. But I have seen store owners that try to sell their items at the garage sale before returning them to the manufacturer. The odds are better when you go to community garage sales. Then you have a sale at every other house and will find these more easily. It's amazing how many people have small businesses out of their homes too. Especially things like customes drapes and handy man types of things.

Yes, being shameless helps. Just ask. All they can do is say no. But you won't ever see them again so it doesn't matter.

Sounds like we have a lot of "sales" people here! I say, be shameless. Ask everyone and anyone. It sometimes bugs my family since we'll go out on an outing or something and I end up bringing home donations. but if you don't ask, you never get. The best and most recent was a Subway sandwiches. I went in because I had gotten a bad sandwich (not gross, long story, won't elaborate) Anyhow, while they're replacing the sandwich, I asked if they would be willing to donate anything for our leadership luncheon. Then I asked if they would be willing to give discounts to PTA members, and now, I'm actually pretty good friends with the owners. They also steered me in the direction of Coldstone (120 free ice cream cones) and I got 120 free sandwiches from them, plus a party platter certificate, cookie platter certificate and all PTA members get a 10% discount with their card. all because I had a bad sandwich!
Shameless!! But so much good can come of it and no one is really ever rude (at least not yet), although sometimes my husband gets embarassed, but oh well, he'll get over it!!

The idea was this - I have seen many business owners sell their inventory at garage sales. Brand new items still in packaging. I feel comfortable getting these items because since I have asthma, I can smell any smoke or other problems that would make an item undesirable.


What type of garage sales are these and how do you find out about them? I'm not sure if they do those here since I've never seen but I'd be all over it if I could find out where.

You all should hook up with kma, she's been out shopping for our tricky tray and has come up with a lot of mind blowing items! She even picked some stuff up for my other schools tricky tray!

I agree summer is definitely the best time to hit people up. After vacation or just before, they seem to be more willing to give.