I need all you know about GARAGE/YARD SALES!

[Lola]

We have a lot of crap we need to get rid of so i want to have a garage sale.
I have never had one of my own before and i need some good tips and hints for a successful one!

To those that have had garage sales, what have you done that was good or bad?

also, i was thinking about having it on Labor Day weekend, but then i got to thinking perhaps too many people will be out of town?

ANY help would be greatly apperciated

 

[FoBoT]

are we invited?

 

[kschaffner]

Don't overcharge. People look for deals that they can't refuse. Like $4-$5 for a board game and like $5-$7 for clothes. I once got a glass chess set for $10. That is a good deal

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: kschaffner
Don't overcharge. People look for deals that they can't refuse. Like $4-$5 for a board game and like $5-$7 for clothes. I once got a glass chess set for $10. That is a good deal

That's the plan, other than a few key items. I have a whole weight bench including cast iron weights. I was thinking about keeping that at a higher price ($75?), but for the most part it will be 50 cents to $5. I've got one 35" tire mounted on a 15" rim I'm hoping to get rid of for $25, that kind of thing.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: kschaffner
Don't overcharge. People look for deals that they can't refuse. Like $4-$5 for a board game and like $5-$7 for clothes. I once got a glass chess set for $10. That is a good deal

j$5-7 for clothes? ugh no.

we looked for baby clothes. you would go to places that had newborn clothes for $3-6 when they are NEW for the same price.

I love hitting garage sales. great place to get tools.

 

[nutxo]

Dont overcharge

Use tables

keep things organized

have change

be willing to haggle

try not to be to aggressive

be visible from the street

make sure theres parking

make signs that are clearly visible from a distance

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
are we invited?

sure, if you want to buy our stuff.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: kschaffner
Don't overcharge. People look for deals that they can't refuse. Like $4-$5 for a board game and like $5-$7 for clothes. I once got a glass chess set for $10. That is a good deal

j$5-7 for clothes? ugh no.

we looked for baby clothes. you would go to places that had newborn clothes for $3-6 when they are NEW for the same price.

I love hitting garage sales. great place to get tools.

NO TOOLS! I keep all that I can!

 

[dullard]

Others above me have good ideas, here are a few more to add to that list.

1) If you itemize tax deductions, you'll probably be far better off financially by donating the stuff to charity than by selling it. Plus, it is easier and faster to donate.

2) Clean up. That means clean the items you are selling as well as the garage/driveway.

3) Have a critical mass of items. If I drive past a garage sale with just one or two tables, I just keep on driving. I'm not even going to look at your stuff if it doesn't seem like there is much to look at.

4) Put up a "half price after X O'Clock sign". A lot of the real bargin hunters will come back for the scraps that you have left.

5) Set out freshly baked bread or scented candles (in a safe location). You'll be amazed at how much longer people stay and how much more they may buy.

6) Keep seasonal stuff seasonal. That is, don't sell 4th of July gear now, no one wants to store old used stuff for a year. Instead, sell fall/Halloween stuff now.

 

[Kyanzes]

Why would you sell your garage and yard?

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: nutxo
Dont overcharge

Use tables

keep things organized

have change

be willing to haggle

try not to be to aggressive

be visible from the street

make sure theres parking

make signs that are clearly visible from a distance

Thanks for the tips everyone!
keep em coming!!!


no one answered my question: is it stupid to have it over Labor Day weekend? sat, sun and mon?

 

[kschaffner]

Obviously if you have baby clothes for sale you are not going to charge much for them seeing how they are only $3-$10 MAX new. I think they are going to be selling clothes they don't want anymore.

 

[Winchester]

Do NOT do it around a holiday weekend. Most people will not be going since they will either have family in town or be out of town.

And remember, you are trying to get rid of stuff, not keep it, so price and haggle accordingly. Even on big ticket items you will not get close to eBay or xxxxx prices but you dont have to deal with shipping/boxing etc.

Make it very organized. If you just pile clothes on a table most will just drive by. Actually, if you have lots of clothes in sight or if you advertise "too much to list" or even the word "clothes" most will just pass it up.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Set everything you plan to sell aside prior to the day of your sale. You can price stuff or just know approx how much you want for everything prior. I've found that marking stuff is a PITA and you end up adjusting anyway depending on how many people are interested and how badly you want to get rid of it.

Don't expect that you'll get retail prices for your junk. I always laugh when people set all this stuff out and ask ridiculous prices for it.

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: LolaWiz

Originally posted by: nutxo
Dont overcharge

Use tables

keep things organized

have change

be willing to haggle

try not to be to aggressive

be visible from the street

make sure theres parking

make signs that are clearly visible from a distance

Thanks for the tips everyone!
keep em coming!!!


no one answered my question: is it stupid to have it over Labor Day weekend? sat, sun and mon?

Can't stress this enough, with good directions. God knows how many times I have made the turn too late and had to go around the block or something. Especially annoying is when it's on letter sized bright neon paper with a ball point pen, I've driven past the sign by the time I can read what it says. Make it big and bold, with only the essentials (aka, [Yard Sale Today =>] on the biggest street, [Yard Sale date, time =>] on a smaller street, then finally one with your address once you are in the neighborhood.

You could also sell soda, maybe it's just me but I always get thirsty.

 

[lokiju]

Get up early!!

Put out signs off of the more main roads to your community and make sure to put a sign for each turn to direct them correctly, make sure to do this for each possible way to your house for maximum turn out.

Be prepared to argue with cheap-asses who will want to give you a quarter for something labeled $25.

Wear sun block! My fiancee and I got fried when we did one a few months ago!

All in all I made out the best out of 4 people selling crap but I had a lot more electronics than everyone else that I was getting rid of and those seem to be the biggest sellers, that and the DVD's I sold.

 

[Lorax]

look into posting some ads... craigslist for free, maybe.

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: Lorax
look into posting some ads... craigslist for free, maybe.

that is a good idea too! i am on the lookout for ads too! thanks again EVERYONE!!!

 

[Tobolo]

contact your local newspaper, you can usualy get a yard sale kit from the for a couple of bucks that includes a listing in the newspaper. Also, check your local laws on yard sale signs. I've known a couple of people that have made a 100 or so just to have to ppay a 150 fine for illegal signage. That varies GREATLY upon the city you are in though.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

People who frequent garage sales are generally disgusting.
Expect it!

1. No matter how low you price stuff, some will complain and try and get you to lower your prices, or ask if they can have it for free if it doesn't sell
2. As unscrupulous as it seems, people will steal <$1 items
3. People will badger you to sell items that aren't in the sale, so cover them up or remove them from sight. (and sometimes this won't stop them, they will dig around under blankets and behind partions, I've even had them barge into the house and try and make deals for furniture and appliances)
4. Don't take checks, people will write a hot check for $5

Not trying to be a wet blanket, but I've gotten to the point that I will just haul stuff off to goodwill instead of having a GS just to avoid dealing with the riff-raff

 

[WENEEDLIGHT]

Be careful, people like to bargin on your cheap deals..

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: Tobolo
contact your local newspaper, you can usualy get a yard sale kit from the for a couple of bucks that includes a listing in the newspaper. Also, check your local laws on yard sale signs. I've known a couple of people that have made a 100 or so just to have to ppay a 150 fine for illegal signage. That varies GREATLY upon the city you are in though.

I know our city has stupidly strict laws but i am not sure if the city really enforces them or not...

 

[GasX]

Be prepared for some asshole to knock on your door at 6:30am wanting to get an early start.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Be prepared for some asshole to knock on your door at 6:30am wanting to get an early start.

Yep, what ever time you advertize as the start time expect the real scavengers 1 hour before.

 

[MotionMan]

Everything you put out to sell at a garage sale should be worth exactly $0.00 to you. Accordingly, when you get an offer for something, haggle a little, but, in the end, give in to their last offer and get it of your property! There may be some exceptions (i.e. the so-called "big ticket items"), but, imost of the time, the reason you put something out for sale is because you have not used (or seen) it for at least 6 months!

Aside 1: I have noticed that the Hispanics in our area (Los Angeles) do not like to haggle AT ALL. For example, they will ask how much something is and I'll respond "$3". Their eyes get really big or they shake their head, and they walk away. I say "How much do you want to pay me for it? Make me an offer" and they simply refuse to respond. This has even happened when I have said $0.50 on an item! What's up with that?

Aside 2: I am planning a HUGE garage sale soon. We are bursting at the seams in my house (particularly the closets and in the garage) so I planning on doing a serious cut-throat clearing out of the house - my wife will be amazed at the things I am willing to get rid of. I figure it will take me at least two or three nights of work to get everything in order (and will cost us use of the garage until we hold the sale).

I am really looking forward to getting some of our room back, and making a little money at the same time. I actually like holding garage sales (and so does my 6 yr old daughter!).

MotionMan