Garage-Yard Sale Advice

[CarolA]

OK.

I am not a yard sale person. So I am having one next weekend and I could use some advice.

I have no clothing. (I did a huge yard sale with the Girl Scouts last fall and decided that in our area clothes went so cheap it was better to donate to Goodwill and take the tax deduction)

I have books I was thinking 50 cents for paperbacks and $1 for hardbacks. Does that sound good?

I have household goods, not a clue how to price those (things like candle holders, decorative items a few kitchen tools) How do you decide what to price? I ried doing a web serach for suggested prices but got nowhere.

I have Disney pins!!! (I am considering putting that in the ad!) I am going to offer them at $2 a piece. IF they don't sell I will just put them back in the closet. (I have removed those I think might be worth something)

I am open to suggestions. I want to make this as painless as possible. While I want to make a little money I really also want to GET rid of the stuff! LOL! What I don't sell will mainly be donated.

 

[Savin4Disney]

Here is my thoughts on garage sales:

If you want the stuff to sell and get rid of it. Then price it cheap. The book price sounds good. But I would check them on half.com and see if they are selling for more. Shipping would be 1.84 for media mail. I have sold 3 books this week alone. I got 9.00 for one, and 2.00 each for the others. Books I wanted to get rid of anyways.

For the Disney pins I would go to Ebay and see if there are others out there. They may be going for more and you could get more for them.

I know for our rummage I am going to do a bag sale. I will give them a paper bag and all the clothes they can stuff in the bag for 3.00 or 5.00 is theirs. (I have not decided yet. I have to see how many clothes I have.) The good ones from Columbia and stuff will go on Ebay come late summer. My goal is to just get rid of the stuff. This way if we move next year then that is less I have to worry about moving out.


Our goal is the same make money and get rid of the stuff. I have been listing some of the stuff on ebay. Even if I do it dirt cheap it is still more than what I might get for it at a rummage. I would not have paid 9.00 for a book at a rummage sale nor would I have tired to sell one for that much.

I hope this helped and good luck!

 

[lcsmom]

Hi Carol,

I don't go to yard sales, but having moved 4 times in the last 10 years, I've held a few. My pricing experience says stick to 25, 50 cents or a dollar. Keep the pricing simple. Books for a dollar would be a little expensive (in Texas) unless they're recent best sellers or otherwise special. The Disney pins are probably worth more than $2. Definitely mention them in your ad.
My philosophy has always been "people are paying me for stuff I won't have to haul to a donation site." I've had people pay me 25 cents for partial cans of paint, old software and other wierd stuff.
Good Luck!

 

[luvsgrumpy]

CarolA, I have had a number of yard sales in the past and this is one of my least favorite subjects. I think it really comes down to how bad you want to get rid of the "treasures" v. do you want to make a lot of money. I am thinking about having a stand at a neighborhood sale later in the spring and just want to get rid of as much as possible. The money earned will just be a bonus!
As more of an answer to you, definately be flexible with prices and be ready to "wheel and deal". Maybe start out with a .50 table for instance for some smaller things just to sell them. There will no doubt be things that are worth much more, $4-$6 (or much more in the case of big ticket/furniture type items) but just see how things go and always have a marker ready to mark things down, people love a discount!
I guess I usually think about how much an item would cost to buy it new and go from there as far as condition, age, how much use we got out of it, what will I do with it if it doesn't sell, and then go from there. I think it is all very random or at least it is in my opinion.
Your book price sounds good for novel type books, maybe offer 5 for $2.00 or some other type of deal if you want.
I also like to have prices that are easy to add up in my head when someone is ready to pay but that is just preference.

Best of Luck to you!!

 

[missmulan]

I'm not an expert either but I've had two yard sales...let me warn you...people want something for nothing.

If you can get a few neighbors to have the yard sale with you, you can place an ad and share the cost.

Personally, my location is not good for a yard sale so I just placed ads in my MOMS Club and local newspaper to sell my big ticket items. I sold my kids toy kitchen $50, teeter totter $20, cozy coupe $15, springing pony $20. This extra money helps especially when my kids have outgrown them.

 

[CarolA]

I realize I could probably make more with Half.com and Ebay, but in TIME is a big factor here! I travel all week and only have about 2 weekends left here. MOVING stuff out of here is actually a bigger motivator then money. With a few excpeptions what doesn't sell will got to good will or someplace.

I actually have a pile of "Free to a good home" It's mainly the hundreds of sample size shampoos etc. I have picked up at hotels over the past few years. (WHY?)

When we did the Girl Scout sale we priced the books at $1 a hardback and sold out so I think I am doing what the market will bear.

I have a few pieces of furniture that if I put out will be pretty high for yard sale stuff, but if they don't sell I have some other options (and on those the price is take it or leave it) It's some antique chairs and I have a quote from a dealer so I figure I can ask a few dollars more then he is willing to pay. If they don't sell I'll just pass them to the dealer.

 

[GJM]

Me and my sister do a yard sales about every year. People do want stuff for nothing! I will go down on prices because I don't want it back. We will books for $1.00 each for hardcover and .50 for paperback. Our sale is normally a Sat & Sun. what doesn't sell on Sat. the price gets lower on Sun.

We have done pretty good with our sales. Good Luck!

 

[jenndisney]

Remember...just because you put $5.00 on an item does not mean you can't lower the price. I say just mark it and if it seems too high after the first hour, lower it. Trust your judgement. You do not want to take it back into your home. So if someone seems interested, make them a deal! I always have a piece or two that I want to sell, only if I get the right amount of money for it. I mark those with a high enough price to build in a lower price if someone is truely interested. I also have tons of sample shampoos. I use to put 5-6 in a ziplock bag and mark it for .25, but now I take them to my church. We help out families in need and they say that it works great for them to give those out.

Have fun with the sale.

 

[vanyel]

I usually price books for less and do something like .50 each or 3 for a dollar - seems like they move better.

Also, if you're giving away the samples, you might want to donate to a women's or homeless center. They frequently look for donations of shampoo/soap samples.

Be prepared to either deal with people or keep a lot of stuff. If someone looks but doesn't offer, I usually approach them and ask what they'd be willing to pay then negotiate. If you're goal is to get rid of things rather than move them, you still come out ahead with a little bit of cash.

Good luck.

 

[janette]

I agree with the donation of shampoo/soaps to shelters. They are perfect for people there.

I'd contact Give Kids the World and ask if they'd like the pins as a donation, you can deduct the price you paid on your taxes (best to get a receipt). They probably have lots of families they can give them to and since they can be traded at the parks it really doesn't matter what they are. Unlike ebay it would be one trip to the post office with a box.

I know this doesn't help with your sale but is a way to get rid of stuff.

Household items probably price about 10% of retail. Easy to get rid of stuff at that price.

 

[Savin4Disney]

With shipping items for Ebay. I put mine by the mailbox at home and the mailman picks them up. So I don't even have to leave the house and go to the post office.

But I am looking forward to having my rummage. I believe it is the second weekend in June. I want all of it to go. And what does not go gets shipped off. I think a lot will move cause it is going to be priced to go.

 

[safetymom]

CarolA, if you are trying to get ready for your move I would price it all real cheap or just donate the items.

I did one while trying to pack up stuff for our move and it was a waste of my time. I could have given the stuff away to Goodwill etc. It wasn't worth my time or effort.

 

[CarolA]

I figure I will give it a few hours next Saturday morning. I am not lableing most of the stuff. Just a few signs.... This pile $1 etc. We will see what happens.

 

[jdk5672]

Okay, someone who is good a garage sales will probably cringe, but here's what I did last time.... My goal was to get rid of the stuff, if someone gave me some money for it fine...

I set up a few tables, but a price tag on the table, (25 cents, 50 cents, $1, $3, $5, and then tagged the couple of larger items). I know good and well that people moved things from the $1 table to the 50 cent table, etc. but I just didn't care. They thought they were getting away with something, I didn't have to haggle, and the stuff left my house. We made about $400 on junk I normally just haul to goodwill.

My neighbors were having a sale, so I just spent about an hour pulling boxes out and dumping stuff on the tables. Prior sales, I spent hours cleaning organizing and pricing.

Not your typical garage sale, and probably not the right way to do it, but my goal was met and I was happy.

 

[bettyann29]

I'm having a garage sale sometime soon (havent decided exactly when, but have started going thru the house).. I like some of the different ideas mentioned.. Im planning on whatever money I make putting it towards a DW ticket.. I already have one down and 5 more to go so I figure if I can make even enough for 1 ticket I will be happy.. I plan on donating whatever is left over just to clean my house out.. Please continue to post any tips as I will make sure to check back...

 

[TINK61]

I've never considered having a garage sale until recently. Maybe some of you experienced garage sale givers and shoppers can give me an idea on how to price a few items. I know in order to get rid of these items, I will have to price them way low:

A twice used large George Foreman grill.
A slightly used Polaroid camera w/carring case.
A slightly used, but way outdated Sony camcorder. It has a b/w viewfinder w/carring case. The battery pack needs to be replaced.

Thanks. (hope the original poster doesn't mind me jumping onto this post)

 

[luv2nascar]

I have to find out when our nest community yard sale is
I want to be ready. I worked probably 2-3 hrs ahead of time getting stuff together, tagging, set up and made over $230 bucks not too shabby.

 

[SnowyPrincesses:)]

I have lots of experience in this area so feel free to shoot out specific questions.

JDK5672 as an avid saler I am not shocked or appaled but I do have a few pointers that I found have made similar situations into something positive.

I know how the need to get it out and over with can be more pressing than honesty but even if you don't care I think alot of those people will probably not feel so good about themselves later. You can make it a positive experience for both of you.

When someone approaches with a $1.00 item and claims it was was .50 be entusiastic when you say, "gosh , sure I'll let you take it for .50... I am so happy to be getting rid of this stuff." (Which is honestly true but rather than just letting it slip you are acknowledging that that's an ok thing for you.) Trust me they will give you a big smile and quite often will purchase more. They will also be more willing to ask you to discount some of your other prices.

Another good tip is if they buy alot, do a random low count of purchases something close but not what you marked. "Wow! you found alot of great stuff! How about if I charge you $5.00 because you're such a good
customer!"

Trust me the people that were being sneaky will breathe a sigh of relief and it will be a much more enjoyable experience for everyone.

I hope this helps.

 

[Savin4Disney]

Anyone have any thoughts on the idea of a bag sale.

I have a lot of DS clothes. And honestly not sure I want to mark all of them. So I am thinking of having paper bags from the grocery store. With a sign that says. " Ask for a paper bag. Fill it with all the clothes you can fit into it for $3.00 or $5.00.)

I think 5.00 maybe a little high.

Mind you these are nice clothes not rags. None will be ripped, torn, stained etc. If they are they will go in another box that says free to a good home. The really nice clothes are going on Ebay. Like his columbia stuff, brand new jeans etc.


Really love to hear your thoughts. I just want to get rid of the stuff.

 

[Savin4Disney]

sorry double post