Help with garage sale pricing

[mrudman]

Hello!

I'm planning on holding a garage sale and am in the process of getting everything priced.

Have most everything else priced, but was wondering if I could get opinions on what I should price the following for, so I'm not out of the ballpark on what I'm thinking:
(I know cost of living is different other places, but just trying to get ideas)

Everything listed will be in very good shape.

Kid's 20" bikes (one with paperwork for free lifetime tune-ups)
Swivel office chair (basic model)
Outdoor baby swing
Foot spa in box
Wooden rocking horse (approx. 15 inches to seat)
Juice Man JR.
Adjustable ice skates (2 pair, 1 goes from sz. 3-5, one is sz. 5-7)
Regal bread maker
Little Tykes Easel with tray (one side chalkboard, one side dry erase board)
Sony surround speakers (table top size but on poles)

Thanks,

 

[aprilfoolwed]

I believe the rule of thumb is 1/5 of the original cost/value. So something that was $20, you would sell for $4. Something for $100, you sell for $20.

Of course, nothing is worth anything more than what someone wants to pay for it.

 

[brymolmom]

Keep in mind I'm a big garage saler and hate when people put craigslist prices at garage sales. Rule of thumb (in my area at least) is garage sales are CHEAP and not necessarily expect to pay what the item is actually worth. I would likely price as below:

Hello!

I'm planning on holding a garage sale and am in the process of getting everything priced.

Have most everything else priced, but was wondering if I could get opinions on what I should price the following for, so I'm not out of the ballpark on what I'm thinking:
(I know cost of living is different other places, but just trying to get ideas)

Everything listed will be in very good shape.

Kid's 20" bikes (one with paperwork for free lifetime tune-ups) - if these are huge name brands - i would put on craigslist as bike enthusiasts would pay a bunch more for the name - but the passer-by at the sale I would put $15 on it and be prepared to go down to $10 unless in like new condition.
Swivel office chair (basic model) - $8
Outdoor baby swing - $4
Foot spa in box - used or new?? - $4
Wooden rocking horse (approx. 15 inches to seat) - Try for $10 but likely only get $5 or $6
Juice Man JR. - no idea - if brand new maybe $10
Adjustable ice skates (2 pair, 1 goes from sz. 3-5, one is sz. 5-7) - I just tried selling some at my sale - had $5 listed on them and got NO OFFERS at all. Ended up giving them to a friend.
Regal bread maker - no idea - if brand new maybe $20 - if used (and therefore they have no idea whether it will really work or not) - $10
Little Tykes Easel with tray (one side chalkboard, one side dry erase board)- is the dry erase side completely clean? If like new maybe $15 - if not, then $7.
Sony surround speakers (table top size but on poles) - no idea here but maybe $20?

Thanks,

Forgot to add...A lot also depends on foot traffic. Does your neighborhood do one every year and have a good reputation and therefore a LOT of traffic? If so - you might get a bit more than what I listed above. But if you're doing it alone...And without an established 'good sale' - then the traffic won't be enough to charge much.

 

[amcnj]

Some depends on your area too. Some areas have people who want everything for practically nothing, while in others the same items can command much higher prices. Maybe a visit to a local thrift type store or checking local newspaper classifieds would give you an idea of what things are going for in your area.

 

[HM]

Where we live, we usually price things about 1/3 of what they were when purchased if still in great condition and then take offers for less if they seem reasonable.

Some things that don't follow that rule though are DVDs, videos, and books. Those have to be set very cheaply to sell.

 

[LONES]

I shop quite a few garage sales, and when I hit the jackpot... have found some really nice things for my kids. I've only had a garage sale once, and I don't know if I have the stomach to ever do it again. It was a community garage sale where you rented a parking space in a church parking lot for $10.00, and set up shop. It was rained out after a couple of hours, but I think if it would have lasted any longer, I may have physically hurt somebody!

When I was pricing for that sale, I just wanted to get rid of things! I went off the theory of "What would I realistically pay for this at a garage sale???" and then marked it for half. I was not prepared for the garage sale bullies.

Honestly... the tactics were amazing. There was one lady that tried to shame me into lowering the price on some kids clothes. She picked up a baby christmas dress that was marked $3.00. It had been worn once for christmas pictures, and was almost $40.00 new. She went on and on to me about how her daughter would love to be able to put her granddaughter in a beautiful dress like that... but she's a single mom, and could never afford it. However, if I could go down to $1.00... all of their Christmas dreams could come true. She would then go on and on about how "lucky" my girls are to have such beautiful things. Then she would talk me down on something else.

Then of course there was the lady with the limited English skills. She would pick something up and say whatever price. I would point to the tag, and say, "$1.00". Then she would just look confused and keep repeating back to me "50 cents???" I'm sure she just figured she would completely frustrate me until I just took whatever she gave me, and it worked.

The very last item I sold that day before closing up shop was a little Oshkosh baby outfit that was never worn. The tags were off, and it had been washed, so someone looking wouldn't necessarily know it was brand new. Anyway, it was a full outfit, so I put $1.00 on it. A lady said, Is there any way you could possibly take 75 cents for this. I was just done at that point, and said, Fine. She then handed my a $1 bill, and I had to walk to the back to get her a quarter. I seriously thought about giving her 25 pennies.

My advice would be to just charge what you think you would reasonably pay for it. That way, normal people that want the item will just pay that, and the garage sale bullies willl offer you half. You can then decide if you want to take half. I tried to be really reasonale because I knew I didn't want to play that game. I found out that there are a large number of garage salers that are not going to be satisfied until they think they've really put it to you. I did get frustrated at one point and told a lady, "you know what, I would rather just donate it".

 

[wendow]

I shop quite a few garage sales, and when I hit the jackpot... have found some really nice things for my kids. I've only had a garage sale once, and I don't know if I have the stomach to ever do it again. It was a community garage sale where you rented a parking space in a church parking lot for $10.00, and set up shop. It was rained out after a couple of hours, but I think if it would have lasted any longer, I may have physically hurt somebody!

When I was pricing for that sale, I just wanted to get rid of things! I went off the theory of "What would I realistically pay for this at a garage sale???" and then marked it for half. I was not prepared for the garage sale bullies.

Honestly... the tactics were amazing. There was one lady that tried to shame me into lowering the price on some kids clothes. She picked up a baby christmas dress that was marked $3.00. It had been worn once for christmas pictures, and was almost $40.00 new. She went on and on to me about how her daughter would love to be able to put her granddaughter in a beautiful dress like that... but she's a single mom, and could never afford it. However, if I could go down to $1.00... all of their Christmas dreams could come true. She would then go on and on about how "lucky" my girls are to have such beautiful things. Then she would talk me down on something else.

Then of course there was the lady with the limited English skills. She would pick something up and say whatever price. I would point to the tag, and say, "$1.00". Then she would just look confused and keep repeating back to me "50 cents???" I'm sure she just figured she would completely frustrate me until I just took whatever she gave me, and it worked.

The very last item I sold that day before closing up shop was a little Oshkosh baby outfit that was never worn. The tags were off, and it had been washed, so someone looking wouldn't necessarily know it was brand new. Anyway, it was a full outfit, so I put $1.00 on it. A lady said, Is there any way you could possibly take 75 cents for this. I was just done at that point, and said, Fine. She then handed my a $1 bill, and I had to walk to the back to get her a quarter. I seriously thought about giving her 25 pennies.

My advice would be to just charge what you think you would reasonably pay for it. That way, normal people that want the item will just pay that, and the garage sale bullies willl offer you half. You can then decide if you want to take half. I tried to be really reasonale because I knew I didn't want to play that game. I found out that there are a large number of garage salers that are not going to be satisfied until they think they've really put it to you. I did get frustrated at one point and told a lady, "you know what, I would rather just donate it".

This was my experience at the last garage sale I had. Totally frustrated me that I had priced everything so cheap to begin with and people still had the nerve to ask me to come down on everything. I had no English speakers in full-force. The sob stories. Ugh! That was 10 years ago and I am about to have a garage sale in a few weeks. It's like childbirth I guess. I have forgotten JUST how bad it was LOL. Anyway, not sure how to price at this point since people want everything for free practically.

 

[mrudman]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

I'm kind of dreading holding this sale, but my daughters really want to help out with it, so I'm sucking it up.

My last one was about 8 yrs ago, and still get angry when I think about what some of the people were like at it.

At that one, I was selling some of my dd's outgrown clothes, and people were trying to talk me down from $1 for brand-new name-brand outfits. One lady went so far as to sneak a different price sticker on a new-with-tags winter coat. Only way I found out is cause I had asked my mom how much she came down on it, and she told me what it was marked.

This time I am not selling any clothing (just have had it with them).

Thanks for the estimates on the prices! I think those prices are where I'm going to start, then possibly come down a couple dollars on everything.

And I really like the response about just donating the item instead if they don't think I'm coming down enough.. I think I'll use that one. I could probably get at least twice as much money donating all this stuff than selling it.

But like I said, my dd's are really looking forward to helping out with the sale, so wish me luck, lol!

 

[wendow]

But like I said, my dd's are really looking forward to helping out with the sale, so wish me luck, lol!

This is actually the same reason I am doing ours! My girls are so excited and have been willing to get rid of some things knowing the money is for a WDW trip. They are also going to do a lemonade & cookie stand to earn a bit extra

 

[puffkin]

I do my community sale every year and if I have enough leftover, I usually run up to my brothers community sale since his is usually later in the spring. I normally get ride of 75% of what I set out. I don't do it to make money, but to get rid of things that I just feel are too nice to throw out. My house is consistently purged and we don't have a big storage problem either, so it is my continued motivation to stay on top of the house. The money is a nice extra.

I do consign at our local JBF sale all my kid clothes, baby gear and most of the toys. The sale is usually before the yardsales, so if it didn't sell there, then I put it out at yard sale. I price much higher (but still cheap compared to other consignors) at the JBF sale. My prices are DIRT CHEAP at the yard sale. I try not to think about if it was new or never used or how much it cost me. Honestly, the buyers DON'T CARE. They just want a deal. If you think like that, then consigning is honestly the better route for you.

I also think, what would I pay for this and then drop it even lower. For bigger items I do leave a little wiggle room though for negotiating. I also do a lot of blanket prices. Honestly, I price all clothes except for coats at 50cents. It sells. I get much more at the consignment sale though so I usually start there. I do books 25 cents each or 5/$1. DVD's $2 each or 3/$5. CD's $1 each or 3/$2. Toys usually $1-$3 dollars (again I consign my nicer ones). Stuffed animals 50 cents.

Moral of the story is, price low if you want to get rid of it. Price higher if you want to make money but be prepared to come home with a lot of stuff. But remember, if you don't sell it, not only do you have to pack it back up but you didn't make anything but aggravation

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Remember this: the goal is not to make money, or even break even. The goal - the ONLY goal - is to rid yourself of stuff you no longer want. As long as you take that attitude, you'll be fine

 

[Judique]

Remember this: the goal is not to make money, or even break even. The goal - the ONLY goal - is to rid yourself of stuff you no longer want. As long as you take that attitude, you'll be fine

That was my attitude in yard sales I've had.

But now I can't even get time to have a sale. I need to hire someone who likes to do this.

 

[mrudman]

Remember this: the goal is not to make money, or even break even. The goal - the ONLY goal - is to rid yourself of stuff you no longer want. As long as you take that attitude, you'll be fine

Yea, that's definitely my goal. I've told myself over and over my goal is just to get rid of the clutter. It's going to feel so nice to have my basement organized again, .

 

[wendow]

I think that if your goal really is to just get rid of the clutter then it's easier to take the people who are trying to take advantage of your already cheap pricing. My goal in having a garage sale is to make money. If I am going to put all the work into pricing, setting up, manning the sale, dealing with rude people, etc, I want to make money. And not looking to make a ton but I will be fair in my pricing and I expect others to be fair in return. If my goal is simply to get rid of it, I can haul it down to the Goodwill and then take a tax deduction.

Edited to fix my spelling mistakes. Wow, don't post while trying to make dinner LOL!

 

[HM]

I think that if your goal really is to just get rid of the clutter then it's easier o take the people who are trying to take advantage of your already cheap pricing. My goal in having a garage sale is to make money. If I am going to put all the work into pricing, setting up, manning the sale, dealing with rude people, etc, I want to make money. And not looking to make a ton but I will be fair in my pricing and I expect others to be fair in return. If my goal is simply to get rid of it, I can haul it down to the Goodwill and then take a take deduction.

I agree.

 

[freckles04]

I think that if your goal really is to just get rid of the clutter then it's easier o take the people who are trying to take advantage of your already cheap pricing. My goal in having a garage sale is to make money. If I am going to put all the work into pricing, setting up, manning the sale, dealing with rude people, etc, I want to make money. And not looking to make a ton but I will be fair in my pricing and I expect others to be fair in return. If my goal is simply to get rid of it, I can haul it down to the Goodwill and then take a take deduction.

Totally agree.

 

[AZMermaid]

My advice is not to get emotional about stuff. I had a garage sale with friends twice in the past few years. We priced better brands (Gymboree and Baby Gap mostly) at $3 an item and everything else at $1. None of the better stuff sold. Most of the knick knacks and junk did because we didn't care and just wanted it gone. 75% of our customers had very limited English skills (but I live in AZ) and most would offer like half or less of the asking price. Once we figured all this out, the second sale was less frustrating.

 

[Jaya]

I swear on a stack of bibles that I will burn my house down before I ever have another garage sale. I had a huge one when I sold my house and I had the whole spectrum of garage sale attendees: the bunch of women who pretended not to speak English and walked off with stuff they did not pay for while the other ones distracted me, the ones who think they can get a lower price by sneering at your stuff, the ones who will not take NO for an answer and continue to offer you a lower price than you're willing to accept, and the out-and-out thieves who don't even have the decency to look ashamed when they get caught.

I helped out at a estate sale a couple of months ago and another helper alerted us to a very well-dressed woman who pulled up in a luxury car who she said was a well-known local garage sale thief. The woman walked in without a purse and a few minutes later started to walk out the door with a purse on her arm. The other helper went over and asked her if she had paid for the purse. The thief said "Oh, I don't think I want this after all", handed it over, and walked out. When we opened the purse, it was full of small things that she had picked up as she wandered through the house. Now I ask you.....is this a classic kleptomaniac or what? If you're going to shoplift, why waste your time shoplifting junk at a garage sale? Sheesh!

 

[MillauFr]

Why not give away the stuff to Goodwill and deduct it on your taxes as a chartable donation? You might even come out ahead.

 

[lucyem]

Why not give away the stuff to Goodwill and deduct it on your taxes as a chartable donation? You might even come out ahead.

Where we live this is the better route to go. My DH was all excited about a yard sale. All the work and planning and I think we made $200. I do better putting a couple of items on craigslist and donating the rest.