curb shopping

Going around urban areas, picking up things people have placed outside their homes on the curb, meant for someone to take them or for the garbage trucks to collect them. Either in nice weather when many people are doing big spring cleanings, or on designated house-clearance dates posted by officials, on the curb in front of people's houses you will see bookcases, desks, large plastic toys, bikes, lawnmowers, and things of similar nature. During these times you will see families driving around with a rented trailer browsing through things and taking what they deem sellable.