The weather is finally warming up in our part of the country. You know what that means, Garage Sales!! Everyone took our spring cleaning advice and got to work cleaning out their houses, but now they have a bunch of stuff sitting in the garage that they don't need anymore. Time to have a garage sale!!
This weeks blog post is all about Garage Sales Tips & Tricks.
If you have ever had one before you know how much time and effort it takes to host a garage sale at your house. Long hours tagging items, figuring how much to price things reasonably. Next comes setting up signs in the neighborhood to advertise your sale and setting up all your things on tables and racks. Then the actual day of the event is the real time suck. Waking up at the crack of dawn, set out the nice stuff in an eye catching location for those "drive by buyers" and sitting in a lawn chair all day hoping you get some takers.
Worth your time?
Every sale I have ever had you sell about half the stuff you put out. So is it worth it? I'd say yes because otherwise how else are you going to sell those things and actually make money? eBay or any online auction site you have to pay fees & shipping.Tip:
There are now groups on Facebook specifically to sell garage sale type items for a local area. You just search for "your city" garage sale group" and there is most likely one already set up. People will post all the stuff they would be selling at a garage sale on these groups in albums and majority of the time the items are priced appropriately. If you don't want to spend all the time & effort having a yard sale at your house or you cant because you live somewhere that doesn't allow for garage sales, such as an apartment building. Then online local garage sale groups are totally the way to go! Just be sure to meet up in a public place to buy or sell the items, such as a grocery store parking lot or inside a coffee shop.Ok now that we have spilled our guts on one of our tips, we want to hear some of your tips for selling or buying at a garage sale, because you never know when you will find something that is HTF!!
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| Just an example, of what you may find at a garage sale. (not actual prizes) |
Congrats to the Winners!! Jennifer & Christiannah
Please email at info@softbums.com to claim your prize!!
Thanks everyone who participated in the giveaway and 108 of you who submitted your amazing garage sale tips & tricks!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
We like buying gently-used kid stuff at yard sales -- clothes, toys that can be wiped down, books. We're really picky about clothes, but aren't afraid to clean up outside toys if the price is right!
ReplyDeleteWhen buying at a garage sale. Feel free to try to haggle the price on an item you really want. Some sellers are more than willing to let go of their wares lower than what they have marked it as.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to buying I am not a fan of sales were you can find items marked for just below retail, and I will not buy it if I think it is over priced. If I can find it for the same price during a retailers sale, it is too much!
ReplyDeleteWhen I sell I mark most things under a dollar (unless they are bigger items). To me a garage sale may not be a HUGE money maker, but I'm all for having stuff marked at prices that will make people WANT to take it off my hands! :-)
I've only had 1 garage sale and it was pretty successful! The only thing I would do differentl would be to sell kids clothes by the bag. I would have a set amount and tell people to just fill a bag for like $10! Much easier than pricing all those items seperately! As for buying, remember you can always make offers on things!!
ReplyDeleteBuying: get there early! The good stuff goes fast!
ReplyDeleteSelling: Mark higher priced items even higher than you would sell for, everyone tries to bargain. So if you'd sell something for $20, mark it $30 which will give bargaining room and your more likely to sell at the price you'd like to get out of it.
I don't have a good tip, but now that I have a kid I am sure I will be checking out more garage sales.
ReplyDeleteWhen buying I always group things together to get a larger "lot" discount :)
ReplyDeleteLook for things you can up-cycle or re-purpose, and haggle away!
ReplyDeleteI usually only buy kids clothes and toys at yard sales. I like great prices. I have a hard time spending $2 or more on an outfit since I can usually get something on clearance for a dollar more. I love to buy large amounts and haggle the price.
ReplyDeleteKeep a notebook in the glove box of what you are looking for. Nothing like ending up with 17 tops and no bottoms the next season for one of your kids because you think you can remember. True story!
ReplyDeleteBe patient!!
ReplyDeleteFor having a sale:
ReplyDeleteHave a good location! If you don't' live in a place that people are likely to be going by, or where you yourself would not want to go to a garage sale, try to have a sale with a friend at their home.
Always have a helper. You don't want to feel stuck outside when you need to use the restroom or go grab some food.
For shopping at garage sales:
Bring lost of small bills. When you are trying to get a lower price you don't want to talk them down to $1 and then give them a $20.
Keep a list of what your kids need and what things you want in your purse. You can find anything at a garage sale, but don't want to miss out on something because you forgot you were looking for it!
I have never been brave enough to have my own yard sale. Plus I live just outside the city and don't get a lot of traffic. But who doesn't like finding a "gem" at a yard sale! :)
ReplyDeleteGarage sales are a bit hard to find around our area, but we've been participating in large consignment events and that's been a very good use of our time in getting rid of our items that we don't use/need and getting gently used items that fit our changing needs.
ReplyDeleteMy tip is to make bargains. It's better to make something off of your stuff than nothing at all and have it still sitting there.
ReplyDeletei've never had a garage sale, but i am an avid garage seller. i try to go yard saleing with an idea of what i'd like to get and a set limit. otherwise i will just grab things. there is one that is held every year by a local church- that is my biggest treasure trove. i go early and grab the stuff i really want. then, an hour before they are done for the day, they have 'fill a box' specials. then i grab grab grab! towards the end of the day, sellers are more likely to give deals or extra items.
ReplyDeleteBe early and I never pay more than 1/2 of retail.
ReplyDeletedefinately show up early & always carry small bills/change.
ReplyDeleteclean things before selling and you will be more successful. Also bring your reusable bags to carry things :)
ReplyDeleteTry to label things with prices before hand so that people have an idea of prices. If you price things well, many people won't even bother haggling. My husband and I moved overseas and had a garage sale before the move to sell almost everything we owned. We first tried to sell the bigger/more expensive things on craiglist. Then, what hadn't sold that way, we tried to sell at a "garage sale," but it wasn't a typical garage sale. A store arranged for a flee market type garage sale where you could rent a space and sell your items. The rental fees went to a charity. The rental fee was small, and we got WAY more foot traffic, and thus sold more, this way than if we had done the sale in front of our home. For similar reasons, a neighborhood-wide garage sale is more effective. - Kimberly Price
ReplyDeleteWhen buying it works best to find the good stuff on craigslist and go on Friday morning to ones that you know will already have lots of stuff you are looking for. Then haggling the price down because if you buy lots of stuff most people can't add it up very well or are so happy to see it all leaving they'll be more willing to go cheap (but not lowballing because everyone hates a lowballer).
ReplyDeleteI like to shop garage sales at the end of the day. If I find anything I like, the people selling it are usually ready to just get rid of it and will take a lot less for the item.
ReplyDeleteDon't be afraid to bargain! You'd be surprised!
ReplyDeletePatience!
ReplyDeleteBe willing to make an offer/take an offer.
ReplyDeleteHave it on a day when there is a neighborhood or city wide sale going on to increase traffic! Our last sale was most successful: we didn't price anything, we let people make offers and all money raised went to our favorite charity! That was definitely motivation when we were purging the house. And what didn't sell did not come back in the house.
ReplyDeleteJoan
jrsotller1 at live dot com
I have learned to avoid wealthier neighborhoods. Not only do they think everything they are trying to sell is made of pure gold and will not negotiate the price, but they also put out a lot of items that nobody should ask money for. Many things are in complete worn out condition. Middle class neighborhoods have more practical items, they downsize more frequently, and are generally more willing to haggle with nice people.
ReplyDeleteI price things for what I would buy them at. Normally relatively low so they sell.
ReplyDelete:)
Best advice is not to be afraid to try to negotiate...many people just want things gone. This weekend, I found several baby items that had minor staining for about 50 cents a piece, not bad but I asked if she'd be willing to accept 25 cents on those that were stained, and she did gladly...also, when having a yard sale (or selling online via a yard sale type site) consider pricing things ever so slightly higher than what you really want for it (so long as its worth that price of course)...chances are, you're going to have a lot of people try to lowball your offer and it gives you more room for negotiation. And in some cases, the buyer won't try to bargain which means more money in your pocket...win/win. (Yes, I'm a yard sale addict!)
ReplyDeleteNegotiate!
ReplyDeleteI don't buy or sell at yard sales. I shop at once upon a child though! ♥IT
ReplyDeleteOrganization! I believe that items should be grouped and displayed well! It makes both parties (buyer and seller) much happier!
ReplyDeleteIf you see something you really like, don't be afraid to haggle a bit. We found a cute rocking chair and haggled the price down.
ReplyDeleteMy tip is that if you really want to get rid of things, then price to sell. Also, mark down at the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteStart preparing early! Waiting until the weekend before to organize and prepare will only cause a headache for all involved!
ReplyDeleteMy advice would be sell a bit higher than what you're willing to sell for. Since most people will try to bump the price down.
ReplyDeleteMy tip is to make sure you price your items to sell. I have a hard time with this because I tend to be sentimental with our stuff.
ReplyDeleteFor buying I always go to upper end neighborhoods and for selling I always try to have a bottom dollar amount in my head for what I will accept :)
ReplyDeleteGroup things in larger lot discounts, and always try and haggle a price/
ReplyDeleteIf you know of others who need to have a sale, as well, plan ahead to set up together, just with your stuff in different areas. You can advertise on fliers or signs as a larger event. For buyers, more stuff=more opportunities for bargains and they don't have to drive all over to find them. We have done this with others and the crowds are always much larger than one family would ever get on their own. And more buyers means more selling.
ReplyDeleteMy tips for selling are to advertise advertise advertise! The more that know about your sale, the more that will come, the more that will sell :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tip comes from a family friend - at our last yard sale, he brought a cow bell. Whenever someone bought something, he would ring it (quite loudly). It was silly, but it got everyone laughing, and we all had more fun because of him and his enthusiasm!! :-)
ReplyDeletei have no tips, i am the WORST haggler in the world. i'm reading through and collecting everyone elses tips :-P
ReplyDeletethere are never any in our area but growing up in the suburbs we went all the time and would try to bundle things for a better price!
ReplyDeleteHave never done it, but we should - thanks for all the tips!
ReplyDeleteI never hesitate to ask for a lower price because I know when I have a garage sale I have no problem with other's asking for a lower price because I would rather sell it then have to drag it back into the house! :)
ReplyDeleteAlways check for damage before you buy something. Make sure it isn't broken and that it has all of the needed parts. Toys with missing parts are always a bummer.
ReplyDeleteMy tip is to always get there early and don't be afraid to ask if they will take a lower price. Most people are willing to haggle. I have never had a garage sale. Normally I just donate since I just don't have time with small children to have one
ReplyDeleteDon't price your sale items at the absolute minimum you'll take; leave some haggle room! That way you'll still get the price you want, and the person who bought it feels like they got a deal cause they talked you down!
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely haggle for the price you want. And be ready to walk away if they don't meet your price
ReplyDeleteI find when you sell things in "lots" such as kids clothes, shoes, books etc they sell better than selling by piece!
ReplyDeletejbang0331 at yahoo dot com
I research before to know what prices I should expect to know if I'm getting a deal.
ReplyDeleteKnow what you're looking for and the price you expect to pay!
ReplyDeleteMake sure you buy stuff you need and don't impulse buy
ReplyDeleteWhen having a garage sale - put out lots of good signs!!
ReplyDeleteFor buying: Don't just go cruising garage sales, unless you've got good willpower. Always know what, if anything, you're looking for and a predetermined idea of how much you're willing to spend. In fact, don't even carry more cash than what you're expecting to part with. Don't be afraid to haggle.
ReplyDeleteFor selling: If you can, group things together so your lowest ticket price is a round dollar. Don't nickel and dime items if you can help it; it'll annoy you and it makes negotiating easier.
try to bundle multiple items to get a better deal
ReplyDeletelizzwisniewski(at)hotmail(dot)com
Sometimes you need to look at a lot of sales before finding some amazing deals!
ReplyDeleteGo early or all the good stuff will be gone.
ReplyDelete(Rachel N on raffelcopter)
At 1pm we go to $5/bag then after 2pm it's $1/bag. Good way to get rid of stuff and make a little more cash.
ReplyDeleteWhen selling... Advertize via craigslist or newspaper.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely do a good job advertising, and keep your yard sale area organized and appealing. Too much stuff can be distracting.
ReplyDeleteMy best tip? Arrive early, and always try to bargain (within reason, of course!).
ReplyDeleteLearn to sew! Sewing helped us transform a $5 Graco high chair we found at our last garage sale into an ADORABLE high chair with its new rainbow mustache pad cover <3 We gifted it to a friend in need, and she's ready to show it off at her son's first birthday! For us cloth diapering mamas, check the clothes for some cheap but wonderfully cheesy wool sweaters and knits. Some of my best diapers (other than softbums of course) are ones I've made from $0.50 garage sale clothes finds!
ReplyDelete(Brittany S on Rafflecopter)
It seems like everything has been covered! LOL I don't think I saw anything on calling, if a number is listed, if you are looking for something in particular. That way you know if there is something there that you are looking for and you won't be wasting time if there isn't!
ReplyDeleteTry to keep the stuff you are selling at a garage sale to under $20. Most people aren't carrying around a ton of cash. Bigger items can go on Craigslist. Also, clothes and toys are the biggest draws, so maybe partner with another family to have more of these 'hook' items so that you can get people to look at your other stuff.
ReplyDeleteGo early... have small bills for change and if you find something you really like, but aren't willing to pay for it ask if they'll decrease the price.
ReplyDeletego with an open mind bc you never know what youll find
ReplyDeletego early for the best selection and late for the best deals!
ReplyDeleteFor buying: Always bargain, especially if you are buying more than 1 item. Shop towards the end of the day as people are more willing to cut you a deal. Check out the "boxes" of stuff, as there might be a great find or two in there that someone else doesn't think is worth anything.
ReplyDeleteFor selling: Put clothes in groups with signs, i.e. 0-3 months, 3-6 months, etc. Price just a little higher than what you want, as most people will bargain. Be willing to accept a little less to make the sale. Don't over crowd stuff sitting out as it's hard to go through so much on one table. Always try to have a sale with others, as most people like to stop at a "big" sale rather than a small one.
Most of all have fun! :) It's nice to go with someone else too as they might see something you would like that you may have missed!
I like to look at on Craigslist to find garage sale listings to narrow down which ones I want to go to and then get there early. Don't be afraid to make offers.
ReplyDeleteFor yard sales, when Im shopping Im always looking for the best deal, 1. know what you're after and what it's worth, 2. be willing to negotiate. When selling, I usually price things to get rid of them and what doesn't sell I just donate.
ReplyDeleteBeing a past board member of the soccer league and team manager of a travel soccer team, I donate my items to the local soccer clubs. Every year the soccer teams hold a yard sale fundraiser for their team. The money helps pay for their uniforms and tournaments.
ReplyDeleteBeing a past board member of the soccer league and team manager of a travel soccer team, I donate my items to the local soccer clubs. Every year the soccer teams hold a yard sale fundraiser for their team. The money helps pay for their uniforms and tournaments.
ReplyDeletenegotiate. don't be afraid to negotiate.
ReplyDeleteI love all the times that are coming in on your comments :) A tip I'd give is to advertise on websites like: http://www.yardsalesearch.com/?rf=b This one in particular is really cool, they let you advertise for free, give everyone a map that they can find you on and you can give all the details like the newspaper except for OUR GENERATION :)
ReplyDeleteI price my things all year long as they are added to my garage sale bins. That way it is less overwhelming. And I always list my sales in the paper, on craigslist, and on our local garage sale FB page. Also, I learned from my mom, who is a garage-saleing pro, to never judge a sale from the street. :)
ReplyDeleteI make a list and schedule of all the sales I want to hit up that day and the times. Always always always try to negotiate prices!!!!
ReplyDeletegive away freebies with purchase.
ReplyDeleteWake and go early to get the best stuff!
ReplyDeleteI love garage sales and hit them up all the time. I've gotten most of my kids wardrobe at them. You definitely need to hit a lot of sales though to find the good stuff for cheap. I definitely recommend staying organized at home so you know what you still need. I recently found Minnetonka Moccasins for $.75, and a brand new looking bike helmet for only a few dollars- $20 in store! As for selling, I don't necessarily think a garage sale is the best options. I sell my stuff at JBF sales and I think it's a lot easier!
ReplyDeleteBest tip for shopping is to be pregnant when you shop for baby things, most women get all mushy and give you a great price :-)
ReplyDeleteAs for having a garage sale, no way, not worth my time, people are so cheap. If you have good stuff takes less time to list on ebay or bring to a local consignment shop.
Well this is quite useful! I am doing my first garage sale tomorrow. It's a block garage sale, so we shall see. I tried to price things VERY reasonably. Most everything is practically new and I priced at fractions of the cost. I figure we're both getting a good deal-- I'm making a little money and it's half the price that the thrift stores charge. Win/win!
ReplyDeleteA selling tip would be to make sure that you really want to sell the items in your garage sale. If something has sentimental value you may find yourself pricing your item high and when others offer, declining. Other shoppers may see you not budging and be turned off. Basically just make sure whats in your garage sale , you are willing to part with.
ReplyDeleteI look for subdivision sales. Then I can park and walk house to house
ReplyDeletethe earlier the better! and haggle!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOnly buy what you really want or need. Otherwise, you still end up spending more then you should have.
ReplyDeleteI like to have a yard sale at least once a year and I dont price items I think it is better because people already have interest in the item and just bargin till you get the price you want :) and sell pretty cheap...it is a yardsale after all!
ReplyDeleteFor buying at a yardsale, always get there early and really look over the items. You can find really good things if you know what you're looking for! For having a yardsale, ADVERTISE!!! You need a lot of advertisement in order for people to even show up. Also don't overprice your items, remember that these are used and people will not pay nearly full price :)
ReplyDeleteGet there early to get the deals/good stuff, and stop by later when its almost over if there are items that were over your price limit because they will likely try to get rid of everything left for cheap/free at the end!
ReplyDeleteBring cash and change. Smaller bills and my change purse always go with me.
ReplyDeleteI love yard sales and planning on having one myself this year! People will normally always go down on prices and if you but lots you can always ask for a bigger discount. Also go back right before the yardsale shuts down you can get great deals that way even gotten free stuff.
ReplyDeleteif you have one near you, try Once Upon A Child to consign as much euc/like new stuff as you can. you'll get a much better price for it there than you would by selling it. put an ad in the local paper for your sale, and if buying get there as early as possible to have the best selection
ReplyDeleteLook through everything! You never know what random gem you will find. Amy Menzies menzies@bell.net
ReplyDeleteI love garage sale season!
ReplyDeleteMake sure everything is clean.
ReplyDeleteget there early !if you see something you want .. make and offer on it !
ReplyDeleteI add items to our garage sale boxes throughout the year, and I price them as I go. Pricing items takes the most amount of time if you wait to do it all at once! I also have a box of free stuff sitting out front. It gets people interested to see what else I have.
ReplyDeleteWe've never had a garage sale, and I seldom get moving fast enough on the weekends to go. I like it when stuff is organized to browse through - clothing by size, etc. and if it's displayed on racks instead of having to rifle through boxes, I'll probably spend more time looking (and buying!)
ReplyDeleteGo early! The best stuff goes the fastest.
ReplyDeleteDon't overprice. It is a garage sale. People want a deal.
ReplyDeleteget up early! and go to community yard sales so you dont have to keep getting in the car!
ReplyDeleteBring snacks!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE going to garage sales but have had to quit going as much as I bring home way too much just because it was a good deal, not because I needed it--so be sure you NEED the item before buying or your house will be stuffed like mine--lol!
ReplyDeleteLocation, Location, location! I live in a small town and if it is not on a busy road you might as well not have a garage sale!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget about Sunday's. My father in law is famous around his old neighborhood for going on Sundays and offering a price for everything left.
ReplyDeletemy advice: don't go for community sales, if you truly are looking for hidden gems. people flock to large gatherings of sellers so the good stuff is gone fast.
ReplyDeleteKnow when the sales start (7am vs. 8am, etc) and do NOT be afraid to negotiate! People want to get rid of this stuff. Worse case scenario? They say no!
ReplyDeleteAwesome diapers are on sale. I am gonna have a large stock.
ReplyDeleteJessica Alba Diapers