Garage Sale Tips Please!

**Jdarg** · 08-15-2006, 09:26 AM

Help! We are having a big garage sale this weekend. A sale of mythical proportions.

Just shoot me now.

Any ideas or tips for a successful sale are appreciated! What sells the best? The worst? I want to hear from people that have had sales, AND attendees of sales. Good set up ideas? I was thinking about having sections, like a store- Manly Man Stuff (tools, weights, etc.), Kids, Holiday, Clothes/Accessories, Garden/Outdoors Stuff, "Dustables", Books, Technology, Furniture, and a bunch of "free to good home" stuff.

Don't give me any links to garage sale websites please- there is too much info there and they bore me. I just want first hand info.

**Cheering472** · 08-15-2006, 09:38 AM

My kids clothes sold well, adult clothes not so much. It was hot weather & people wouldn't even look at a sweater or coat, they were more interested in summer clothes. Baby items moved well and toys and books flew out of there. I also sold alot of my ex husbands tools. I kept my stuff organized as you said. You never know what someone is looking for so stuff you wouldn't think of may move fast.

Be ready early, because people will be there an hour before you're ready, to get the best stuff.

Very annoying. Also for some reason no one wants to pay the price listed on the item, you are expected to bargain. It's a quarter people, lighten up. Good luck Jenay, take a valium that morning or drink wine during the day.

**dbuck** · 08-15-2006, 10:03 AM

Bless your heart. I hate yard sales, but for some unknown reason Mr. dbuck likes to have one once a year, maybe it's all that extra golf equip, he needs to get rid of. Anyway, I have found that if you are thinking about throwing it away . . . then it will sell. The good stuff will sometimes sit longer than anything. My observance is that people just love going thru boxes. If you will put several things in a box, put $5 on the box, they think they are getting a bargain. People do love baby stuff. I still remember the sale when I sold all the baby stuff, high chairs, walkers, etc, kind of sad. Kids bluejeans sell very well. Best of all . . . there is a lady here in town, that I always call when I have a yard sale because after the sale she will come and take everything that didn't sell away, that way you don't have to find a home for it AGAIN. Maybe you have someone like that in Louisville.

Good Luck.

**Beach Crazy** · 08-15-2006, 10:04 AM

Ditto what cheering said. Departments work great.

Why don't you mark your stuff a little higher so you'll get what you want for it but they think they're getting a bargain after they haggle with you

And watch your more expensive small items (jewelry, etc.) they will be shoplifted before you know it. Sad but true.

**Ocean Lover** · 08-15-2006, 10:32 AM

We had a garage sale about a month ago. I thought it was funn! People actually give you money for something you were going to get rid of anyway!

My biggest sellers: books, $1 hardcovers, video games $5,chest of drawers, dinnette set, 24" 10 speed bike

Men were constantly stopping by looking for tools!!! I told them we just had toys!!! We sold a few Barbie items too.

Things that didn't sell: boardgames & puzzles

Dylan had a lemonade stand set up and did very well. No one can resist a budding entrepreneur! Kate would make a killing on looks alone.

Good advice from everyone: do mark prices up a little higher because they WILL haggle....but that's what makes it funn. If you want $3 for an item make it $5 and they will feel like they're getting a bargain...and then you have some people that may pay $5 anyway.

Be nice to the ones that arrive earlier than the scheduled time----they are the buyers. Annoying yes but they are there specifically there to buy...and haggle.

We gave a free stuffed animal away with any purchase. The kids loved that. I got rid of a few beanie babies that way.

I had a two day sale: Friday and Saturday morning until noon only. Make sure your signs have not blown away on the second day.

Good Luck Jenay! I still have things in my garage from the sale- I need a lady like Cheering mentioned too.

**jessifunn** · 08-15-2006, 11:47 AM

you see what you do is get all your old s"it and put it on a blanket in the middle of the driveway. when the stuff is nicely displayed nobody wants it. let kate make a sign and put it at the end of your street. sit kate outside with a jar for all the money she is going to collect. everyone will give her money b/c they think it is so cute she is having a yard sale. they key is to not put prices. people will give her way more that what the stuff is worth b/c you have a cute little girl sitting out there. when the sale is over take the blanket with the remaining collectables and store them in the storage container at the end of the driveway.

p.s. you could also dress up darg vadar and let him dance up and down the street to pull more people in.

**Cil** · 08-15-2006, 12:29 PM

We had one last fall before we moved.
I am like Dbuck, I hate and detest having a garage sale, but sometimes you just have to.
One thing I learned:
People will buy anything! ANYthing! If you don't want it, put a sticker on it for a quarter or fifty cents and it will suddenly become sold merchandise.
I agree with Dbuck about the Boxes for Browsing.
We had a lot of plants for sale and they all went, as did CDs and videogames.
And early birds really do come annoyingly EARLY because they want first dibs.
Make sure you have plenty of dollars and quarters.

**SGB** · 08-15-2006, 12:31 PM

As previous posters have said, put out all your junk. We have found that tattered towels sell like hotcakes, while nice stuff just sits there. At our first garage sale a black velvet blanket with pictures of buffalo, that you hang on the wall, that my husband's brother had given him, actually incited a fight between two buyers. I couldn't believe it.

**tamara** · 08-15-2006, 12:39 PM

A friend told me to put out my never used makeup items that come with the gift with purchase...like all the stuff from Clinique that I had in a basket and won't ever use....I put $1 each on all and I sold so much of that it blew my mind.

**Jdarg** · 08-15-2006, 12:44 PM

Wow- a lot of "who would have thunk it" here--thanks you guys!! I have been downstairs all morning pricing stuff. I may need to re-price some items- I'm too cheap!

J-funn gets "Most creative yard sale idea" award.

**Miss Kitty** · 08-15-2006, 12:44 PM

FTLOG, a garage sale in this heat? It is 105 here everyday! Good luck jdarg.

**dbuck** · 08-15-2006, 12:46 PM

Oh I forgot . . . old bed linens, bedspreads, and drapes (if they match), but I was really surprised that the bed sheets were such a hot item. Go figure.

**Jdarg** · 08-15-2006, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by Sueshore

FTLOG, a garage sale in this heat? It is 105 here everyday! Good luck jdarg.

I don't think it will be that hot here! If it is, I'm gonna set my table up in the middle of a kiddie pool, with my "recycled" beach umbrella providing shade.

**Ocean Lover** · 08-15-2006, 12:48 PM

Sorry Miss K, it's ideal here. 80 and sunny.

**Cheering472** · 08-15-2006, 12:55 PM

jdarg my forecast calls for a chance of rain and storms Saturday. Can you have it in the garage?

**Jdarg** · 08-15-2006, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by Cheering472

jdarg my forecast calls for a chance of rain and storms Saturday. Can you have it in the garage?

I'm gonna

now. Possibly- if every waterproof can be outside (like sleds, yard equipment, etc.) Dammit.

**Cheering472** · 08-15-2006, 01:09 PM

Well you know how things are here, it's calling for a chance of rain Friday and Saturday. We could get snow for all the accuracy we have in forecasts.

**Mermaid** · 08-15-2006, 01:43 PM

Are you going to put an ad in the paper? I remember when Alex was little, my friend told me about a garage sale in her neighborhood I checked the ad they'd put in the newspaper, and one of the items listed was Brio. I called the people up and bought every last bit of it before the garage sale even happened! If you have any big ticket things like that, you might want to think about an ad. It will draw people in.

Put a price on everything. Yes, it's a pain in the neck but some people are really shy about asking the price of anything and if they don't see a price marked, they'll pass it by. Your goal is to get rid of your extra stuff, so make it easy for everyone.

Do you have any sawhorses and old doors or big sheets of plywood to make makeshift tables? Better than laying things on the ground.

I can't stress enough how important it is to have twice as much loose change and small bills as you think you will need. Twice as much. At least.

I sold all the make-up bags that come with the cosmetics like Clinique, like Tamara. People scarfed those up. You know what else people bought? Cards. We had a ton of cards from all the times we've donated to different charities, and I marked them all 10 cents a piece and they disappeared in no time flat. Go figure that one out!

Face the fact that this garage sale is going to wipe you out, first in the preparation for it, then in the aftermath of dealing with all the bargain hunters out there. Have your kitchen well-stocked with wine and goodies because you will need it to recover. And have the pizza delivered that night.

**Johnrudy** · 08-15-2006, 02:13 PM

Hey I even had people buy partially used Yankee candles (fragrances I didn't care for) for .50 each! People also bought old, but clean, bathroom rugs. I never thought these things would've sold.

But I've found people do not want old computer monitors or printers, since new ones are practically disposable now. Other than baby clothes, clothes don't sell well around here.

Also, like others have said, books, dvd's, videos and video games sell fast.

If you have enough table surfaces, you could categorize them by prices. Like everything on this table is $5, or this table is .75, etc. But you would have to have enough space and surface to do that. It saves you time.

Advertise on www.craigslist.com It's free and I had young professionals respond to some unique items.

And what you don't sell and don't want to keep, contact the American Cancer Society - - they will take it all.

Good luck.

**Cheering472** · 08-15-2006, 02:45 PM

Jenay I am available if you need any help before or during the big sale event. Give me a call, I'll be there.

Mermy is right, have lots of change and then some. Park a car out of the driveway so someone can run out if need be. Besides it makes people think someone is buying all your stuff and they need to hurry over and get it before anyone else does.

**Mermaid** · 08-15-2006, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by Cheering472

Besides it makes people think someone is buying all your stuff and they need to hurry over and get it before anyone else does.

That cracks me up. And talk about sneaky ingenious!

**Cheering472** · 08-15-2006, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Mermaid

That cracks me up. And talk about sneaky ingenious!

It'll work I promise. She needs fake shoppers to mingle around her tables. I volunteer for that, just keep the margaritas flowing I'll mingle till I drop.

**Jdarg** · 08-15-2006, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by Cheering472

It'll work I promise. She needs fake shoppers to mingle around her tables. I volunteer for that, just keep the margaritas flowing I'll mingle till I drop.

Wow- you can handle margaritas at 8 am???? You are a PROFESSIONAL!!!

Actually, I just conducted a little pre-sale with a couple that I know that has 2 flea market booths. They were here for an hour. They bought a fair amount, but not enough to give me any more space!!!!

**Biff** · 08-15-2006, 03:31 PM

Free Donuts and refreshments are a MUST!!!!!!!!!!!

With purchase of course......

**Rita** · 08-15-2006, 03:53 PM

Take it easy on yourself - don't overorganize.

Maybe group some stuff but don't worry too much about that. Just get it out there in plain sight. We've used the lip of the opened garage door to hang clothes on. Here in TX clothes sell well - t-shirts, jeans, shorts (That's not been the case in some other places I've lived.)

I say don't price too high. People go to garage sales for bargains and will stop looking if they think things are priced high. It will be funn when it's done and you count your cash. It's always amazing how much you can make on your junk!

If the weather is hot let the kids sell popsicles. They're a hit!

.

**DTinTexas** · 08-15-2006, 03:56 PM

Make sure everything you put in the sale is clean. It is a good idea to run all you can through the dishwasher to give it that extra sparkle.

We are lucky here. There is a lady that will take all of your "stuff" to sell and for 30% of the final total, she will do all of the pricing, working, selling and cleaning for you! All you have to do is gather everything for her to sell!

**bamabeachbum** · 08-15-2006, 04:21 PM

Make sure you run an ad in the paper on Thursday, Friday ,and Saturday. In bold print, dont put Garage sale put "Estate Sale", I did this and got a lot more people.

Children clothing sales good, other than that I wouldnt waste my time on clothes.

**Teresa** · 08-15-2006, 05:34 PM

we haven't done a yard sale in years - kurt refuses. he hauls it to the goodwill, then we don't have to worry about it. But, its ashame to miss out on making extra cash from all the crap we get rid of every few months!!!

just after we married (many moons ago) we had a yard sale where we got rid of a lot of our combined stuff - much of it redundent, old college crap, or even wedding gifts we didn't need to haul with us. It was a LOAD of stuff. Kurt had it completely organized, everything priced, with some items in boxes with one price. I think the secret to our sale was to Advertise (as a huge moving sale - not estate sale - you don't want to put off anyone), put up signs, and start at the crack of dawn. By noon, re-evaluate and really be ready to slash prices or give away (it's over by then). hopefully you will get an offer from someone to haul off the remaining items. Or you can call Goodwill or whatever organization is in your area and let them know ahead of time that you may want them to come by that afternoon to get the rest of the stuff...

clothing is a real tough one. I would just do kids, and maybe some of the more "nifty" adult items. Or just throw them all in a box with $1, or whatever. Purses and shoes may go.

drinking will definitely help. coffee, that is...

good luck!!!

DD · 08-15-2006, 05:44 PM

I do garage sales every now and then, and lord knows I have a lot of crap to constantly get rid of with 5 kids. They seem to all store their stuff here

, but once upon a time, many years ago when my mother died suddenly, I had the mother of all garage sales. It took me days to get ready, because I first had to move all the stuff to my house from her apartment. I still have pics of my friends helping me organize. We got quite toasted while pricing everything. I kept some sentimental stuff, but there was just so much that I couldn't use or keep. Anyhoo, she had TONS of unmentionables, if you know what I mean. I told my friends I was gonna toss em, and they said NO! sell 'em. I put them all in a box for $5 and they were the first thing to go!

Ewwwwwww!

I also sold a pair of my ex=husbands boots that still had mud on them for $5. You just never know what people will buy!

**dbuck** · 08-15-2006, 06:36 PM

[QUOTE=destindreamin]I do garage sales every now and then, and lord knows I have a lot of crap to constantly get rid of with 5 kids. They seem to all store their stuff here

, but once upon a time, many years ago when my mother died suddenly, I had the mother of all garage sales. It took me days to get ready, because I first had to move all the stuff to my house from her apartment. I still have pics of my friends helping me organize. We got quite toasted while pricing everything. I kept some sentimental stuff, but there was just so much that I couldn't use or keep. Anyhoo, she had TONS of unmentionables, if you know what I mean. I told my friends I was gonna toss em, and they said NO! sell 'em. I put them all in a box for $5 and they were the first thing to go!

Ewwwwwww!

I also sold a pair of my ex=husbands boots that still had mud on them for $5. You just never know what people will buy![/QUOTE]

It's kind of gross when you really think about it.

DD · 08-15-2006, 06:49 PM

[QUOTE=dbuck]

Originally Posted by destindreamin

I do garage sales every now and then, and lord knows I have a lot of crap to constantly get rid of with 5 kids. They seem to all store their stuff here

, but once upon a time, many years ago when my mother died suddenly, I had the mother of all garage sales. It took me days to get ready, because I first had to move all the stuff to my house from her apartment. I still have pics of my friends helping me organize. We got quite toasted while pricing everything. I kept some sentimental stuff, but there was just so much that I couldn't use or keep. Anyhoo, she had TONS of unmentionables, if you know what I mean. I told my friends I was gonna toss em, and they said NO! sell 'em. I put them all in a box for $5 and they were the first thing to go!

Ewwwwwww!

I also sold a pair of my ex=husbands boots that still had mud on them for $5. You just never know what people will buy![/QUOTE]

It's kind of gross when you really think about it.

Really gross.

**lindatat** · 08-15-2006, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by dbuck

Oh I forgot . . . old bed linens, bedspreads, and drapes (if they match), but I was really surprised that the bed sheets were such a hot item. Go figure.

Oh yeah, I can vouch for this. Who'd have thunk anyone would want anyone else's used bed linens?

**Jdarg** · 08-16-2006, 07:31 AM

Thanks to everyone for the great ideas! I think I am ready to go- have racks, tables, a classified ad, signs, and lots of stuff. Any leftovers will go to Goodwill, which has been the recipient of many things already- the unloader guys know me! I am looking forward to a relatively empty garage and storage room.

I am letting the kids sell (or as Kate says, "sale") their own stuff - which has been a useful tactic in getting them to part with old toys and movies that they haven't touched in years.

I'm trying to tee-total this week (with the help of So-Well), but you can bet their will be a BFG of wine for me Saturday night when this is all over!

**Cheering472** · 08-16-2006, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by jdarg

Thanks to everyone for the great ideas! I think I am ready to go- have racks, tables, a classified ad, signs, and lots of stuff. Any leftovers will go to Goodwill, which has been the recipient of many things already- the unloader guys know me! I am looking forward to a relatively empty garage and storage room.

I am letting the kids sell (or as Kate says, "sale") their own stuff - which has been a useful tactic in getting them to part with old toys and movies that they haven't touched in years.

I'm trying to tee-total this week (with the help of So-Well), but you can bet their will be a BFG of wine for me Saturday night when this is all over!

Good luck!

**Jdarg** · 08-16-2006, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by Cheering472

Good luck!

With waht- the no-wine or the sale??

Or both?

**Cheering472** · 08-16-2006, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by jdarg

With waht- the no-wine or the sale??

Or both?

I hope you make lots of money to buy lots of wine

Please call me if I can do anything to help. I will not be expected to hold off the the wine will I?

**Beach Bimmer** · 08-16-2006, 10:22 AM

We made some signs on that gaudy, flourescent poster board once that said "MONSTER GARAGE SALE" in huge letters, some with a scribbled Frankenstein caricature next to the monster word. Tacky, eh?

Indeed it was, but you should have seen how many kids convinced their parents they had to pull in and buy from the people that had monsters for sale in their garage!

**iwishiwasthere** · 08-16-2006, 11:27 AM

I do not have many yard sales...about every 6 or 7 years. The last was the easiest and most successful.. I priced things CHEAP!!!! T shirts 25 cents, button ups 50 cents, pants 1.00. I wrestled with the idea of higher prices, but decided the more that sold, the less I had to haul off. Quarters add up pretty quickly! A good way to display clothes is to have two ladders. Place a pole(we used conduit) on the inside of each. You have two rows pretty quick. Plenty of signs around help as well. We have a large Latino population, so I made sure I posted some signs in those neighborhoods....wow...they came out in droves. They like to buy at yard sales as well.

Good luck and I hope the weather is pleasant and overcast.

**Mermaid** · 08-18-2006, 01:05 PM

Update, Jenny? I see you have a snazzy new "garage sale" avatar.

Is business good so far? Have you gone bonkers yet?

**Jdarg** · 08-18-2006, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Mermaid

Update, Jenny? I see you have a snazzy new "garage sale" avatar.

Is business good so far? Have you gone bonkers yet?

Another pre-sale last nihgt, and an "invitation only" sale tonight

! This time tomorrow night I better have an empty garage, side yard, and basement!

**Cheering472** · 08-18-2006, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by jdarg

Another pre-sale last nihgt, and an "invitation only" sale tonight

! This time tomorrow night I better have an empty garage, side yard, and basement!

May you find a home for all your unwanted treasures. Hope you have a good day, don't forget the wine for Saturday night!!

**Unplugged** · 08-18-2006, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by jdarg

Help! We are having a big garage sale this weekend. A sale of mythical proportions.

Just shoot me now.

Any ideas or tips for a successful sale are appreciated! What sells the best? The worst? I want to hear from people that have had sales, AND attendees of sales. Good set up ideas? I was thinking about having sections, like a store- Manly Man Stuff (tools, weights, etc.), Kids, Holiday, Clothes/Accessories, Garden/Outdoors Stuff, "Dustables", Books, Technology, Furniture, and a bunch of "free to good home" stuff.

Don't give me any links to garage sale websites please- there is too much info there and they bore me. I just want first hand info.