Garage Sales

[boykinlp]

My neighborhood is having its semi-annual garage sale this weekend. I have never participated in a garage sale or even been to one. I have some stuff that I would like to get rid of, and thought I might try this route when the next one comes around in about 6 months.

I have been told that at these sales, people expect to get things for next to nothing. My question, to those who have held these sales, is how do you arrive at a price to try to sell your items? Most of the things that I would be selling are brand new, still in the box stuff, that was given to me as presents over the years. These are things that are nice, just not things that I have ever used. Just for an example, I was given a Stanley toolbox. I see it retails on the net for $55-60. Thanks for any help.

 

[pawncop]

Do not know your situation, but the primary reason for the garage sale, at least in my neck of the woods, is to get rid of stuff you no longer need. It is priced low so that it will go. If you are trying to recoup money spent, you probably will not do well.

Folks that are trying to make as much as they can utilize the internet, but lots of stories are associated with that. Most are not so good.

 

[Kanewpadle]

My wife and I have had many garage sales over the years.

People will expect to pay next to nothing for whatever you have.

New in the box items should be marked down. You got it free. You don't need it. And it's just taking up space. I would sell the tool box for $45.00. If someone wants to give you $40, then take it. Give yourself some wiggle room.

Some people will test your patience. Some will show up late in the day figuring that you desperately need the money and they will offer you much less.

Also, some folks will be nice and some not so. Some will give you your asking price and some will try to steal from you. It's happened to us.

Take cash only. NO CHECKS!

No returns. No warranties. (yes, people ask)

And last, price all items clearly. Some people like to see a price without having to ask.

Good luck!

 

[bitstream]

Also, you can expect to get your first customers of the day about 15 minutes before you are ready. If you post a sign that says "8-12", you'll get somebody at 7:30 asking if you're open. They are the early birds, they want to get the very first cut of the "good stuff" before it's sold. Nothing wrong with that, but it can annoy you if you're not ready yet and still trying to get things setup. Just be ready.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Also, watch for groups...they will take the five fingered discount. My wife knows this well at a couple of "garage sales" they've had at the church.

Pretty low to steal clothes at a church sale.
They'd give them away, which they do! So, why steal?

 

[ohiobuckeye]

Also, watch for groups...they will take the five fingered discount. My wife knows this well at a couple of "garage sales" they've had at the church.

Pretty low to steal clothes at a church sale.
They'd give them away, which they do! So, why steal?

Keep a close watch on any smaller boxed items you may have or at the end of the day you will find an empty box is all that will remain. This happened at my wife's last yard sale. It seems the number of low lifes per acre is increasing, even in rural America.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

You will get next to nothing at a garage sale. I would sell it on Ebay. I sold some things there and it was easy. I started out with two or three cheap items to get the feel of it. Don

 

[DeadAye]

I said NO and promptly unplugged it and smashed it on the concrete floor of my barn at her feet.

Yeah - I'd go with the *not going to happen again* theme.
Be very happy that wasn't my wife!

 

[bennettfam]

Ah yes, the ol' yard sale/garage sale blues! Can't count the times my wife held one to make $. When you calc the man-hours involved you end up making about 15 cents per hour. Only good outcome is a cleaner garage.

 

[Marksman]

Garage sales inevitably will bring out the cheapskates that want something for darned near nothing. I have found that realistic expectation is that people will pay no more than 50% of current retail for items even those that are NIB. If your items do not sell for that then list them on line, eBay or one of the free classifieds.

 

[ia1727]

Plus---be aware of those that will take 25 cent stickers off an item and put it on a $40 item. This happened to my daughter this summer. They live in an affluent area and the lady they caught doing it was one of their upstanding church members.

The more people I get to know the more I love my dogs--good luck.

Steve

 

[LVSteve]

Be warned that the worst people at garage sales often drive the nicest cars and trucks. Seen this first hand at a garage sale held by my late mother-in-law. The worst was a well dressed crone driving an almost new Cadillac who got sniffy when told that the $5 price tag DID NOT apply to the whole table. The same day a car load of illegals, only one of which spoke any English, were a pleasure to deal with. Clearly thrilled with everything they bought and happy to pay the price marked. Ya just never know.

 

[CJ]

Also, you can expect to get your first customers of the day about 15 minutes before you are ready. If you post a sign that says "8-12", you'll get somebody at 7:30 asking if you're open. They are the early birds, they want to get the very first cut of the "good stuff" before it's sold. Nothing wrong with that, but it can annoy you if you're not ready yet and still trying to get things setup. Just be ready.

Many folks advertise their garage sales on Craigslist and in the local newspaper that has a section just for this type of listing. If you go this route, to thwart the early birds you can just post your general location, (e.g., 5th Avenue at Maple Street or the 2400 block of Main Street, etc.) and mention in your ad to look for the garage sale sign posted the morning of the sale at, for example, 9:00AM. They can't jump the gun if they don't know the exact location until after you've let them in on it.

I have never had a garage sale, but I see this type of advertising regularly.

 

[JcMack]

I just threw out 12-15 large trash bags full of "stuff". As I bagged it I noticed a lot of "stuff" I bought at garage sales. I don't stop at garage sales anymore. Hand tools are the only thing that might temp me.

 

[walnutred]

A couple years ago I decided I needed to clean out my garage. Well, I call it a garage, my wife calls it a barn. It's a 36'x44' building with loft, cement floor and electricity. No livestock so it's a garage.

Had a yard sale. Very disappointing. Noticed that every Sunday there was a flea market Sunday morning at the county fairgrounds that charges a $15 set up fee. So once a month my kids help me load up the truck and I take a truck load of "treasures" to the flea market. This is an early event. You start setting up at 6:00 AM and by noon I'm back home. We've been doing this for three years now, weather permitting and a bad day is a couple hundred dollars extra in my pocket and half a truck of junk I do not have to take home.

 

[slowburninsteve]

My wife and I now take things we used to sell at yard sales and donate them to Goodwill. We got sick and tired of the lowlifes who would show up and say things like "I can buy those for ___ (a lower price than we had listed)" or "Would you take a penny?", or the lookers who made sure to make insulting remarks about either what we were selling or the prices we were asking (which were very reasonable). If we have something which has quite a bit of value and is easy to ship I list it on eBay. Now we don't have to waste an entire day dealing with a year sale and the lunkheads it draws. Also, anything we donate to Goodwill is tax deductable!

 

[n4zov]

I'd guess your tool box might bring about $10-15 if you really want to move it. My suggestion is to forget about what you paid for stuff and concentrate on what somebody is likely to pay for it assuming they don't particularly want it to begin with but just can't pass up a bargain.

 

[gunlovingirl]

Garage sales are great...for the buyer. But people who have a lot of unwanted stuff can make some extra money too. Previous posters are right. Don't expect to get anywhere near the value of an item. You can have a brand new $10 item marked 5 cents, and sure as I'm typing this, someone will offer you 2 cents. Or want 10 of them for 5 cents. Better off going the ebay route, or maybe advertise in a local online 4-sale site like Craigslist. Also, make sure you keep a close eye on everyone who comes to the sale. Some have been known to have sticky fingers, leaving with items that weren't paid for, and even items that weren't for sale.

 

[MR .44 Spl]

Unless you truly need the money.....don't do it. I had a garage sale once, and it was nothing but a pain. Everyone's comments are dead on. After my one garage sale, I was pissed off, tired, and felt like I needed a shower. Again, unless you need the money, I suggest doing what I do now.

There is a local women's shelter that I give practically everything to. Any household items are always needed since they are constantly getting a fresh supply of women who need a new start. Anything for kids is definitely needed. Anything they don't need, they can add to their once or twice a year sale to make money for the shelter. Trust me, you'll feel much better doing this and the people on the other end will truely be greatful which definitely doesn't apply to anyone you run across at a garage sale.

 

[Maddog 521]

Wow our experience was way different. We had one last fall and we made $1600 for a two day sale. It took about 3 hours to set up. We were happy with the results and have another planned for later this fall. Good luck