Where do most presenter's get their salvaged items?

It depends. I regularly visit the local Restore which is a store from Habitat for Humanity. I hit up relatives attics, garages and barns. They get a kick out of what I grab and then do with it. I also go to garage sales and walk right past the dishes and clothes and head for the piles, mans stuff and free boxes. I also dumpster dive but not as much as I used to. If I see something interesting along the road, I'll stop and ask the person if I can have it. most of the time they laugh and help me load it.. I've only had someone once say I had to pay so I left the item behind. I'm lucky that there is a new junk store in town and there are awesome things there along with regular thrift stores. My husband is lying beside me rolling his eyes but truly you can never have too much stuff! You just never know when you'll need that random leg!

My first choice is garage sales. All my friends and family knows on Saturday "I go sale'n" from about 7am to noon. In my area, I find so many things for 10 cents on the dollar and way cheaper than the local thrift shops. I have a 20 mile "tour" I take hitting the better neighborhoods.

My second choice are the local thrift shops, of which there are many. Even so, I look for special sales. "Blue tags are 1/2 off" for example. I hit two in one day, that had a "1/2 everything" - WOW what a day that was and it started with a Craigslist ad from one of them. I do shop at ReStore - Habitat for Humanity and find terrific bargains there.

My third choice is Craigslist. The first category I check is the "free". Many times after a garage sale, people will put things on the curb and list it in Craigslist to come pick it up. I regularly check this out for what some refer to as "roadkill". Not always roadkill. I spotted an ad (just in time to be the first to arrive) and found SEVEN very large trash bags filled with items (mostly new) from a gift shop gone out of business, obviously a few years back. I literally had no room left in my car and had to leave one bag behind. All arts and crafts stuff, many things in the original packaging. I listed this as my third choice, as I don't often find anything, but find it worthwhile to check it out on a regular basis. FYI, after going through all this stuff, I made a large donation to my favorite thrift shop. This is three weeks later, and I'm still going through it.

I love "free" but "free" isn't always advertised. Check out my project on "Garage Storage Bins". Sometimes you have to ask for it.

http://www.hometalk.com/diy/organize/storage-ideas/garage-storage-bins-25719120

When shopping, I like to consider these four things. First, "Things I need". If I "need" something, I am willing to pay up to 25% of the original cost (know your prices). Second: "Things I want" - don't necessarily need but would like to have it, if it comes up. Third: "Things I didn't know I needed or wanted" - might be considered impulse buying, but I consider it educational. Finally Four: "My BOLO list" (Be On the Look Out") This comes from my friends and family because they know if it can be found at the least possible price, I am their best chance at doing it. They don't even give me a budget, because they know if I buy it, it is the best possible price.

Generally speaking, I am willing to pay 10-15% of original cost. Important to do your research and know your prices. i.e. I really wanted an Excalibur food dehydrator. 9 shelves. These things retail around $400. After extensive shopping, the best deal I could find was at Overstock for $170. After making that purchase I happen to be perusing through Craigslist garage sale ads, I spotted a box label "Excalibur" on a garage sale ad, tucked back in the ad. I'm right on it. She was asking $100. It was brand new. Because I knew my prices, I rushed over and purchased it. Took a picture, listed it separately on Craigslist the next day for $200 and before the end of the day had a cash buyer - her only question: Can you help me load it in my car? I was thereby able to reduce the cost of my Excalibur to $70.

I saw a project on Hometalk using a Patron Tequila bottle. I checked ebay and they are selling for $15 (empty bottle) plus shipping. Amazing, the following Saturday, there it was at a garage sale. Asked how much, he said 50 cents. SOLD. Found another the following week, bundled together with other things and guy says, "I'll throw that in". I now own three of these beautiful bottles. Once completed, I will use them as gifts. There has probably been a zillion of these over the years, but you don't see it until you start looking.

I should write a book, maybe call it the "Crafter's Art of the Deal". LOL.

Ditto to the all of the above. THe thing is, once you get started, finding "junk" seems to take on a life of it's ow! I even have friends and acquaintances giving me their furniture and stuff, since they know I'll recycle it.