Here's a sale that's never been advertised to the public before. A manufacturer's rep who sells to high-end gift shops will be clearing out samples and overstock from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Everything, including domestically made candles, cards, stationery, home decor, toys, baby items, novelty gifts and Christmas ornaments, will be discounted 50 to 90 percent. One of the best deals is a large selection of birthday, anniversary and other greeting cards for $1, regularly $3 to $6 each. The sale is at 800 Washington Av. N., Suite 103, Minneapolis, 612-801-7488.

Some garage salers believe that the castoffs are better in ritzier suburbs such as Edina and Wayzata. It's the same vibe when Twin Cities stylists clean out their closets. With eyes for what looks good on a model or a magazine cover, the stylists' "Greed Gone Wild" sale includes deals on men's and women's designer fashions, jewelry, furniture, rugs, art, linens and tabletop accessories. This year's sale includes fair-trade goods such as shawls, baskets and pottery from Guatemala, Africa and southeast Asia. The sale is from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 2014 Central Av. NE., Minneapolis, 612-789-6006. Bring a nonperishable item for local food shelves and save 10 percent on one item priced $50 or less.

Now is a great time to join the free VIP club at Albertville Premium Outlets. Go to www.premiumoutlets.com/vip to sign up and print the VIP coupon sheet for extra savings Saturday and Sunday. Usually, the discounts are 15 or 20 percent if you spend $100, but the deals are better this weekend. Save 20 to 25 percent off your entire purchase (no minimum) at Converse, Dressbarn, Guess, Guess Kids, Harry & David, Maidenform, Reebok, Rockport and Yankee Candle. Stores offering 20 to 25 percent off a single item include Ann Taylor, Calvin Klein, Coldwater Creek, Lancome, Le Creuset, Samsonite and Wilson's Leather. Print out a voucher at the site for a free coupon booklet available in the mall office. Some of those coupons are different from the ones on the website.

Scandinavian Marketplace (218 E. 2nd St., Hastings, 651-438-9183, www.scandinavian market.com) is closing, although the Web store and catalog will continue. Starting Thursday, most items are discounted 30 percent, including Orrefors crystal, jewelry, books, food, outerwear, selected Norwegian flatware, linens, candles and dolls. Discounts will increase by 10 percentage points each week. More items will go on sale as of May 18, the final week of the sale.

The American Cancer Society dropped its fall "world's largest garage sale" and replaced it with several smaller "discovery" sales annually. The first of those sales will be at Brookdale Center from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Organizers say the quality of the merchandise is improved and the prices are better. Much of the merchandise is new, donated from businesses. Call 651-255-8716 or go to www.cancer.org/mndiscoverysale.

John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 or jewoldt@startribune.com. If you spot a deal, share it at www.startribune.com/blogs/dealspotter.