Yard sale experts...could you give me some advice?

[melk]

Well I'm planning our first yard sale for Saturday (hoping hurricane Lily doesn't soak us with rain ). I've taken a lot of advice from these boards but I'm still a little unsure on some of my prices. If you could give me your opinions, I would appreciate it!
I have several really nice baby girl outfits. I was thinking of pricing the nice two-piece outfits/and or dresses (Gymboree, Children's Place, Baby Gap) at $3.00 a piece. All other outfits I thought I would price at $1.00 each (they're all in beautiful shape, but not a name brand). I put a box full of sleepers at .50 each.
I have some beautiful glassware and dishes from my grandmother's attic (I've kept a few for sentimental reasons, but the rest has to go), I am just clueless at what to charge. Twenty-five cents a glass?
I also have an old exercise bike and two ten-speed bikes in very good condition--no idea.
I have a big box full of baskets, various shapes/sizes. Fifty cents each?
Then I have most of the baby stuff to get rid of( ):
open-top swing-$20
bassinet-$15
exersaucer(seen better days)-$5
infant car seat(1 year old)-$25
baby backpack-$8

Any advice on whether I am charging too much or too little would be greatly appreciated. I've been kind of stressing out about this yard sale for over a week and I just want it over!!!
Thanks so much!!!

 

[snoopy]

I'd charge $4.50 for the name brand outfits, $2.50 for the non-name brands. $1.00 each for separates that are in good condition. People are going to want to negotiate with you, that is almost certain. Start high, but pick a price that is reasonable to settle on. What you don't sell at a garage sale, especially the name brand outfits, you can sell at a consignment shop.

The glassware I would take either to an antique dealer or a consignment shop and find out its worth. You may be getting rid of something valuable and you might never know it.

I've never sold exercise equipment or bikes, don't know what to tell you on that.

Your baby accessories seem like they are priced right to me, with the exception of the swing, I'd make that $25, and the carseta $30.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

I sold a 10 speed bike this summer for $ 50 - the guy didn't even bat an eye - the bike had been riden once

 

[dedala]

Well Snoppy remind me to AVOID your Yard sale!!! $30 for a carseat, people are going to laugh & walk away...
I live in NY where EVERYTHING is $$$$$$ and I can tell you from experience..if you price things too high many people will walk away...Sure there are the PRO's that will talk ya down but it is either get rid of it for a few bucks or put it back in the attic/garage...

As for your grandmothers things if you have , or plan on having any kids you may want to save some of these things for them. My Dh was 6 when his GM died and his Mom saved some things for him & they are in our house today...
Just a thought!

P.S no offense Snoppy!

 

[snoopy]

Well, I guess its a regional thing, or maybe it was beginners luck - but I was able to use the "price higher, they will negotiate" philosophy when selling my stuff a few months ago at a yard sale.

Then again, I'm a neat freak, and everything I sold was in impeccible condition. I take excellent care of stuff, always have. And I made sure it looked sparkling and brand new when I put it out for sale.

Although, admitedly, I never go to yard sales, and only had one, so I'm not an expert. I was very successful at the one I had, but I can't really say it will work for everyone or in all areas of the country.

 

[mamajoan]

My friends used to scold me and told me I priced everything WAY to low... So I see what both Snoopy and dedala means.. You may want to check out other yard sales prior to your event.

I now just give almost everything to charity..... saves a whole lot of time and helps with my taxes.. so I am not just a goodie-goodie. I do it for selfish reasons. UCP calls me every other month to do pick ups at the house. It really has worked well for both parties.

 

[JESW]

I go to yard sales all the time and I think your prices are just fine! People will try to talk you down so be prepared on how low you would go. I personally never spend more than $10 on any yard sale item - and it has to be in REALLY good condition for me to do that.

Good luck!!

Jill

 

[Katie]

I would definatley price your brand name stuff at 4.50 ....the other stuff..lower.

Your prices seem okay to me!

I just sold
Little Tyke Van-30.00
Little Tyke Tractor=30.00
Little Tyke Lego Table=30.00
Little tyke Trike-15.00
Little tyke Car=15.00
Little Tyke Slide-10.00

All my Osh-Gosh Outfits went for 5.00....and Tommy stuff 5-7.50...and I sold all of it!


I had a Nike Coat that sold for 15.00, and a London Fog coat that sold for 15.00

Almost new Levi' jeans for boys(7)-sold for 5.00(all 6 pr..to the same lady)

so, If people know what the "real"cost of brand name things are...they will NOT complain about paying 25% of that cost...

IMHO

 

[whirlsy]

your prices sound good too me, 25 dollars for a car seat is perfect especially if its in good condition~ I had a garage sale last year and made 1200.00 all baby and kids clothing and toys~ I too kept everything in excellent shape if it wasnt it was tossed to a different pile~If you can hang everything up people loved that~go to one of your stores that throws hangers away and ask for some~my husband hung some bars in our garage for me to hang everything up worked like a charm~I have people coming up too me asking me when my next sale is going to be I live out in the boonies and made this kind of money so dont mark anything dow~ I dont know how old your bike is but I sold one for 10.00 it was older~i would ask 25.00 for the swing also~ actually I sold my car seat for 30.00 it was that infant kind only too so many pounds~let us know how you do and god luck

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I tried to sell my baby car seat for $25 & it looked brand new. No takers. We marked it to $15 still overlooked. All they wanted was the nickel and dime stuff and anything old.
I sold my outfits for $1 a piece and sleepers were .50. Anything with a stain (they sat too long), I charged .10 and they wanted it for free!!!
Good Luck! I guess it depends on the day. I have had sales in the past and done better. The point is it is all gone. I sold all my baby stuff.