Despite the rising popularity of online Craigslist, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace, garage sales continue to be favored by many as a way to get rid of the “stuff” they no longer need. Taking the time to search for garage sale tips can be advantageous for you as you plan and execute your selling event.
Also known as yard, moving, and rummage sales, garage sales can take a lot of time and muscle power. However, it can be well worth the effort, particularly if you are getting ready to move. You don’t want to pay to move items you no longer need or want!
Below are some garage sale tips to help you navigate the planning stages.
1. The more, the merrier.
Although it may take a bit more time to coordinate and organize, consider holding a multi-family garage sale. More families usually mean a greater variety of items available for purchase. Shoppers will find a greater product selection that will make it worth their time to stop by the area. When short on time, they will likely choose to attend a multi-family garage sale over a single-family one. This may be an arduous garage sale tip to implement, but it will likely be well worth the extra effort.
2. Try not to rush into holding a garage sale.
Give yourself plenty of time to plan and organize your garage sale. Move from one room in your home to the next, identifying things you are willing to sell. Box these items up and set them aside in storage until the day of your garage sale.
If you rush the process of gathering items, you run the risk of missing some items or selling something you will later regret hastily putting in the for-sale box.
Remember, garage sales are a great way to profit from decluttering or downsizing your home. Just take your time to get through the process.
3. Be selective when gathering your garage sale inventory.
Another garage sale tip is to consider other channels to sell some of your items. In other words, if you are looking to maximize selling prices, you might want to consider selling some things outside of your garage sale. If you have any unique, one-of-a-kind, or rare items of value, do some preliminary research to determine its estimated worth.
It may be worth getting an appraisal from an expert for collectibles such as baseball cards, coins, and antiques. You can start researching prices by looking on sites such as eBay, where you can see how much the item, or similar ones, have sold for in the past. There are likely other online specialty collectors sites you could reference as well.
You can often sell these types of items at a higher price through online auction sites such as eBay or even through Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Using these online channels, you can reach a larger audience looking for the specific item you are looking to sell.
Also, in general, many have found that higher ticket or larger items tend to sell at higher prices through online channels such as eBay or Craigslist.
4. If you want to reach your goal of turning your unwanted items into cash, consider these garage sale tips about pricing.
When deciding on prices, try to detach yourself emotionally from the items. That adorable baby outfit may bring up fond memories of your children’s earlier years, but don’t factor that into the selling price. Also, don’t dwell too much on the amount you originally paid for the item. Reflecting on original purchase prices may prevent you from pricing your used items realistically. Remember, the objective is to sell your items, not to hold on to things you no longer need. Enforcing this garage sale tip will get you in the right mindset as you start pricing your items.
If you have no idea how to begin pricing your items, try visiting garage sales in your area. By doing so, you can get an idea of how to price your items.
When visiting other garage sales, you may notice many people have some items priced as a group. For example, there might be a box of books with a sign stating “four books for $1”. Besides books, clothes and small toys are great things to sell in groups. This pricing strategy is a great tactic to convince bargain shoppers to purchase more items than they might have originally planned. Best of all, it can help you sell your items more quickly!
Most of all, be prepared for price negotiations. You will undoubtedly run into some die-hard bargain shoppers whose primary goal is to find the best deals. Prepare for negotiations by taking mental notes of the minimum prices at which you would sell each item. You don’t want to be caught off guard and sell something for an absurdly low price. On the other hand, don’t lose a sale over a slight price difference!
If you have a few larger or more expensive items where you aren’t willing to negotiate the price, indicate that on the label or sign by adding “FIRM” after the price. However, you may have to reevaluate your decision if no one shows interest in the item at your stated price.
5. As long as we are on the subject of pricing, a valuable garage sale tip is to tag all your items with clear prices.
You don’t want to spend the entire time answering pricing questions, and frankly, shoppers may not want to wait around for you to become available to answer their price questions. Shoppers will leave your garage sale in frustration, taking their money elsewhere. The worst part is that you may end up stuck with your unsold items.
Try to use brightly colored stickers to price your items, so shoppers can easily locate them. The stickers should have good adhesion – you don’t want the stickers falling off your items as people shop. At the same time, ensure the stickers don’t leave a sticky residue on the item when buyers remove them.
There are some types of things you can get away with not pricing individually. Items such as books can be placed in one box – as long as they all have the same price. Be sure there is a clear sign that displays the per-item price.
6. First impressions matter – specifically when it comes to how you display your items at your garage sale.
Display your items in an organized and visually appealing manner. For instance, toys, clothing, and kitchen items should be in separate areas. Many times, shoppers come looking for specific types of items. You don’t want to create a frustrating shopping experience by having them spend unnecessary time searching for items. There’s nothing worse than losing a potential customer because they couldn’t locate specific things they were shopping for and that you were selling!
Besides organizing your items in different areas, have them neatly displayed. For example, clothing areas can quickly get messy as shoppers rummage through your inventory. Have them neatly folded or hanging by size and gender. Having items displayed neatly not only makes it easier for shoppers to peruse, but it may make your items more appealing. During the slower times of your garage sale, you will likely need to tidy these areas to keep them neat and organized.
Just as important is making sure your items are clean. Whether that means running the clothes through the wash or dusting off those items, make those “once loved” items shine. A good cleaning or dusting off your items can positively affect your chance of selling your items at worthwhile prices.
Bottom line – don’t make shoppers work to buy your items or wonder what they might look like under dust and stains. They may end up deciding it just isn’t worth the effort!
7. Use a variety of channels to get the word out.
Without signage and advertising, you will have little to no chance of having shoppers show up to your garage sale. Don’t let all that hard work organizing and setting up go to waste by not having a marketing plan.
Clear signage is key, particularly if your home is located deep within your neighborhood. Using bright colors, large lettering, and arrows, create your signs using sturdy material and anchor them securely, so they don’t blow away. Put up the signs at the main intersections by your home, easily visible to those driving by. Remember to hit both sides of a road to get the most coverage.
Also, post your garage sale information on Craigslist and social media channels such as Facebook Marketplace. There also may be special Facebook “for sale” groups for your town where you can post your garage sale details as well.
In these online listings, make sure to include the days, times, and address. Highlight big-ticket or popular items you are selling. Even better, include pictures of your best things – those you think will attract buyers to your sale. Also, include what your plans are in the event of inclement weather.
Remember, advertising your garage sale doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. No one expects you to rent out billboard space!
If you’re holding a garage sale to “lighten your load” in preparation for a move, Reynolds Transfer & Storage can help you get your belongings to your new home. We also offer temporary storage solutions too. Contact us for an estimate today!
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