How to price clothes at a garage sale?

[TupperMom7]

Here are some of the items I've got, all in good to excellent condition:

Boys Jeans - size 10 (Arizona and Lee brands)
Boys Jeans - Husky sizes (12's and 14's)
Girls Jeans - size 12
Teenage Girls Jeans - size 9/10, size 11 and size 12
Teenage Girls sweaters - some look brand new
New Tinkerbell Hoodie - teenager
Girls short sleeve shirts - sizes 6 - 12/14
Boys shirts size 8
Shorts - various sizes

How on earth do I price these? I was thinking jeans would go for about
$2.00. When I think of what I paid for all these clothes, it makes me sick to think now they are selling for so little. The sweaters I paid $30+ for - how much should I price them for? Other clothes, like shorts and t-shirts - I have no idea. Is 50 cents too cheap or too much? I want to get rid of the items, but I'd like to make something on them. If I don't succeed at the garage sale, then I'll try Craigslist - or should I do it the other way around?

 

[enchantingodin]

Think of it this way - if you were at a garage sale and you saw jeans (or whatever) in the same condition as the ones you have. What would you expect to pay for them?

 

[SunnieRN]

I would try Craigslist in your area first. Also make sure to take really good pictures of the items and make sure they are freshly laundered and unwrinkled. If you decide to yard sale them, hang them up and price them individually. Usually if you put them on Craigslist and sell them right before the season coming up you will make more money. (i.e school clothes now, winter coats now through November, shorts in April, etc,)

 

[MichelleinMaine]

People go to yard sales expecting a deal. You're not going to make alot of your money back selling at one. Honestly, I wouldn't expect to get more than $1 for the nicer stuff and 50 cents for Tshirts, etc. MAYBE $2 for the jeans/sweaters, but be prepared to lower it if they don't sell.

As others said, you may do better selling the stuff in lots on craigslist.

 

[hanutedmansionmomma]

I've never really had good luck selling clothes!

I'd say $1 each piece, and get the bag ready to take to Goodwill when the sale is over.

We have a "Savers" store now, they will give you a coupon for 20% off your purchase if you donate on the way in to the store (it's like a Goodwill but a little nicer)

 

[fakereadhed]

Honestly, when I am at a sale I won't even look if the clothes are $2-$3 ea. I can buy new clothes on sale with coupons at Gymboree or Land's End at Sears other stores on clearance for under $10. No way I'm going to pay that much for used.

It doesn't hurt to drop your clothes off at a resale shop that pays cash first. They will usually give you $1-3 per item. Then put them in your sale for .50 to $1 ea. I would much rather get .50 an item and sell them all than price them too high and end up giving them all away afterward.

 

[annagirl]

it makes me sick to think now they are selling for so little.

What would you do with them now if not sell them? They are worth nothing if they cannot be worn by your kids, right? All they do is take up space in your home, keeping them for nothing.

So get past that idea and think of it this way: you are freeing up space in you home, which has value, and you are making real (tax free) cash, which has value.

Don't think of it as losing money - you already paid the price when you originally purchased the clothes. That cash is long gone.

So price them to sell and get them out of your home.

 

[kfeuer]

One other option (if you have one in your area) is one of the semi-annual kid's consignment sales (Just Between Friends is a popular one). You have to prepare and price everything, but you get to keep 65-70% depending on the sale. Larger sizes like you're describing tend to sell very well because there's less of them to choose from.

If you do choose to sell at the garage sale, I wouldn't go over a $1. I go to garage sales all the time where the clothes are .25 apiece, so it would have to be something fabulous to get me to pay $1 or more. Of course, your area might be different--it might be helpful to go to a few sales and get a feel for pricing.

 

[littlbugmom]

I think your area has a big impact on pricing. Ask friends what they typically see or go to some garage sales before you have yours, if that's possible.

I sell to consignment stores year round, sometimes sell on ebay and I just had a yard sale. Stores pay very little but sometimes I just want it to be easy, kwim? Selling jeans in "lots" on ebay has been successful for me. The last lot I sold was 3 pair of girls jeans from Target. I got $20 for them (and the buyer paid shipping). Go figure.


During my yard sale this year, I priced things like this:
(all clothes were in good condition)

Baby clothes--------$.50 an item (2pc outfits were $1)
Nicer baby outfits---$2-$3
Jeans---------------$2
Hoodies-------------$2-$3
Tops/tanks----------$1


Almost everything sold. I discounted at the very end.

 

[semo233]

One other option (if you have one in your area) is one of the semi-annual kid's consignment sales (Just Between Friends is a popular one). You have to prepare and price everything, but you get to keep 65-70% depending on the sale. Larger sizes like you're describing tend to sell very well because there's less of them to choose from.

No sales in the Northeast at all.