With many seeking to declutter or simply make room for the new, garage sales are appearing in many communities. Producing a successful yard sale, however, can often be more work than the act of sorting through unwanted items. A little thought and planning can make any yard sale a profitable one.
Pricing Garage Sale Items
The first consideration when pricing items for a garage sale is their value. Most items will depreciate over time, the amount of drop depending on their use and care. Pricing garage sale items should reflect this drop in their value. In general, the prices should be lower than that found on similar thrift store items. For example, a t-shirt that would sell at a thrift store for $1.50 could be priced for a yard sale at $.75.
More valuable items, however, may need to be priced differently. The prices for collectibles, antiques, and other similar items should be a little less than their market value. The pricing of these objects may require more research, either online or in books. Those who have trouble finding the potential value for their collectibles might inquire at the local library for help finding useful resources.
After one decides on the price for an item, she should then apply a price tag to each object for sale. The tag can be a simple piece of masking tape with the price marked on it in black ink. While putting all similarly priced items in a box may be less time consuming, it will often frustrate potential buyers who do not wish to look through them. Individual price tags will encourage purchasers as well as make the eventual exchange of money easier in that the prices are obvious on each article.
Garage Sale Tips for Displaying Items
When all of the clothes, appliances, and knick-knacks have been priced and tagged accordingly, they should be displayed and organized for easy browsing. Jumbled items thrown on a table will undoubtedly decrease the amount of money brought in at the end of the day.
Card tables and clothes racks are naturally suited for displaying garage sale items. In the absence of these—or a lack of enough of them—one can improvise with common items. Overturned boxes can provide extra space for smaller items. In addition, ropes strung between two large structures can be a support for clothes on hangers.
Clothing not on hangers should be neatly folded and grouped according to type, possibly by size or gender. In addition, folding them in such a way that the price tag is on top will decrease the need for buyers to unfold items. In general, hanging up all pants and shirts is ideal, but neatly folded and organized items will attract customers as well.
Other objects such as knick-knacks should be grouped so that a person interested in one type of item will be able to easily find all available for sale. Labeling appliances as “working” or “not working” will give buyers at a yard sale an idea of what they might be purchasing. Providing buyers with an easier shopping experience will yield a better sale for all.
Money and the Successful Garage Sale
As a final consideration, having change available before the start of the yard sale is a smart idea. While most avid garage sale goers will bring plenty of money, others will have large bills that require change. The money available for change should be counted beforehand so that the amount of money earned by the end of the garage sale can be easily discovered.
Although most garage sales will earn some money, a successful yard sale will necessitate more work and forethought. Pricing garage sale items and the attractive display of these objects will increase the sales. With just a bit of effort, garage sales can be a profitable way to declutter a home.
Yard Sale Queen. Having a Successful Yard Sale (accessed August 12, 2010).
Get Rich Slowly. A Yard Sale Checklist: Ten Tips for Garage Sale Prep (accessed August 12, 2010).
Organized Home. Garage Sale Tips: Clear Clutter with a Yard Sale (accessed August 12, 2010).
Krista Schnee - A freelance writer, editor, and proofreader, Krista Schnee enjoys a flexible work schedule along with fulfilling creative work. She has ...
