Ever had a Yard/GARAGE SALE?

[Spiritwolfe]

I've never had one but am going to in a few weeks and I'd very much appreciate any valuable tips you could offer me.
Thank you :brava:

[Kuffy]

Put a price tag on everything, unless you want to gauge price to individuals depending on how they are dressed and what kind of car they drive. Don't limit pricing to plastic money denominations like $10 $15 $20 etc. If you want $18.50 for it, then put that price on it. Don't lose $3.50 just because plastic money is easier to deal with. And price higher than you want for the item, because haggling is common.

[Fuzzie]

Not sure about Canada but I think yard sales etiquette probably varies culturally and regionally. For me it has only been a way of trying to sell stuff that would otherwise go to the tip or take too long to sell through an online auction site. The clientele that visit garage sales seem to only want to pay 50c for anything, irrespective of value and they want to haggle you down at that price point anyway. The upside is you don't have to work out pack and post costs.

You need some highly visible signage, that can be read from 50m in a moving vehicle, in the vicinity of your sale directing people to it. Remember to take down all the signage after you have finished and packed up.

You will need lots of small change in a fanny pack to start off selling all those 50c items to people with $10 bills.

The first people will turn up 2 hours before your advertised start time. In the dark. They will make ridiculous offers for the good stuff. They will be the professional garage sale vultures.

Get a roll of sale price sticky labels. Put a price on everything you can before the sale. Knowing what you want to get for an item helps all in a negotiation. If you just want to see it gone, put a sign on it that says 'beat the bin, make an offer' and be prepared to take the offer.

Pie stalls always seem to make good money. You might make more $ if you are allowed to also set up a sausage sizzle/lemonade stall/coffee stand. YMMV

Be clear in your own mind what you are happy to be left holding at the end of the day.

[Spiritwolfe]

Gosh! I have never had a garage sale and have been working on this one for over a year now but I'm not really sure if I'm cut out for this. For one thing I'm not a very social person and would absolutely despise anyone showing up two hours early. Seriously that's just rude and I don't do well with rude obnoxious people and from the info I'm getting about garage sales, these kinds will be creeping around everywhere.

Perhaps the garage sale is for things that you normally would just throw out but otherwise hope people will pay money for.
I've also been told not to add prices where you need to make change otherwise you spend the day giving out change and can't really keep an eye out for possible thieves.
There is only going to be two of us and I'm seriously starting to reconsider. Lol!


I had originally considered having refreshments like lemonade or ice tea and others mentioned that then I'll just have more to look after as well as people loitering around.


I think perhaps I need to find other alternatives to selling.
I know many things are going to be sold through kijiji


The more I learn about these garage sales, the more I realize that they just might not be for me. I'm not the most people tolerant person and that might be putting it mildly.


If I'm going to get up extra early to start this sale, the last thing I want are people getting in my way that shouldn't be there. My dogs will bark non stop.
And if people start getting rude and aggressive, I'm not going to take to kindly to it.


Nope! I don't have a good feeling about this.


Thank you very much for offering your words of advice. It's much appreciated.

[Spiritwolfe]

I'm not really sure what you is meant by plastic money. Surely people don't expect to use their debit cards or visa at a garage sale?
Do they?

Also is a pie stall just that? A stall for pies! Lol!

[jmk89]

Plastic money - Australian banknotes have been printed on polymer for over 20 years. So it just refers to notes as opposed to coins

[Kuffy]

I'm not really sure what you is meant by plastic money.

Lol, sorry. I forgot you are in Canada. Our coins are 5c 10c 20c 50c $1 $2. Notes are $5, 10 20, 50, 100 and made of plastic as Jeremy says.

Credit Cards are plasticfantastic! :D

[Spiritwolfe]

Ok thank you. I did not know this.
Yeah! Credit cards are plastic-fantastic until you have to pay for them. lol!
I suppose it could be fun if I have the right attitude. After all, it's just for a day right?

[Fuzzie]

Also is a pie stall just that? A stall for pies! Lol!

Yes, a market stall/stand/booth...
Apple pie ..mmm, blueberry pie ...mmm, cherry pie ....mmm:PANCAKES:

My original comment was somewhat tongue in cheek. I was implying as a way of making money, people seem to be more happy to pay for cake and coffee than used goods. Around here a major fund raiser for community clubs etc is a sausage sizzle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sausage_sizzle).

The yard sale thing isn't all bad. Two people should handle it fairly easily. The really obnoxious people are thankfully few and far between. If you are confident you have set fair and reasonable prices on the things you want to sell, there is no need to run two prices depending on how someone looks and you have no anguish turning down unreasonable offers. If you sell online you also really need to set the prices in advance anyway.

[Spiritwolfe]

Yes, a market stall/stand/booth...
Apple pie ..mmm, blueberry pie ...mmm, cherry pie ....mmm:PANCAKES:

My original comment was somewhat tongue in cheek. I was implying as a way of making money, people seem to be more happy to pay for cake and coffee than used goods. Around here a major fund raiser for community clubs etc is a sausage sizzle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sausage_sizzle).

The yard sale thing isn't all bad. Two people should handle it fairly easily. The really obnoxious people are thankfully few and far between. If you are confident you have set fair and reasonable prices on the things you want to sell, there is no need to run two prices depending on how someone looks and you have no anguish turning down unreasonable offers. If you sell online you also really need to set the prices in advance anyway.

:hahaha: And I'd rather sell baked goods or food in general than used goods cause I can actually really cook plus it would be WAY more fun. Apple pies, pumpkin, cherry, rubbarb and strawberry, lemon meringue , pecan . Oh ! Can you imagine the smell? On the side make some Belgian waffles with fresh berries and whipped cream.

Thanks for for the heads up. As long as I am confidently assertive I should have no problems.
Ive got tables, priced items, categorized sections, plenty of tables and tarps, extra garbage cans in case I do decide to add food. Even fresh baked cookies are a pleasant distraction for most people. Add a nice beverage and maybe people will stay and shop longer.

Id like to make some extra cash but I think my main reason for wanting this is that there is far too much stuff in this house. There's so much materialistic stuff that it is virtually impossible to appreciate it all because most of it is stashed away. While I'm nowhere close to being a hoarder , I have no desire to even slightly resemble being one. I'd really like to enjoy more of our house but can't because there's too much stuff. I'm sure I'm not the only in this predicament or garage sales wouldn't be so popular.


Do any of you ever look over your stuff and think "What was I thinking?" :shakehead:

[Bob38S]

Agree with all of the above, however, I would also add a further sobering note.

Unfortunately, possibly a sign of the times, there will be some who will take advantage by employing the 5 finger discount, even though you price things reasonably there always appears to be some who will just pinch things just because they can. A sad but true situation.

I have helped out in a few garage sales and have a few observations which may be of help.

1 You need help, you can't do it on your own.

2 Locate your cash point at the exit and try to have 1 way in and 1 way out.

3 Be prepared to haggle or refuse to sell an item, it seems that no matter how cheap or reasonable a price may be the question you will still get is "Will you take......."

4 Write down everything you sell including the price, this helps you to keep track of things and let's you reconcile your list with your cash tin. An apron with front pockets is a handy way to go for folding money.

5 Be aware of "professionals" , those who go to garage sales to pick up things as cheaply as possible for resale at markets. Quite often these are the ones who arrive hours early.

6 Ensure your house is locked, you don't want any unpleasant surprises while you have been kept busy.

7 Any items you are not selling should be removed from the area and stored away securely or some sort of physical barrier between what is being sold and what isn't.

8 If you have multiples of items, be prepared to bundle, eg books etc, $2 each or 3 for $5...

9 Get as many tables etc as possible so that items are displayed rather than have people digging through boxes trying to find bits and pieces. As things sell, replace the empty spaces if you have more than you can display or compact the area.

10 Have a box of largish stickers, brightly coloured which you can write Sold on and if possible an area set aside to locate these in. Some will buy and pickup later especially if the item is too large or heavy to take with them.

11 At the end of the day have a large bottle/s of your favourite brew because you will certainly need a "pick me up" as you will be "stuffed".

Just some thoughts.

[KBs PensNmore]

If you advertise in a local paper, put your street and suburb down, but not your house number. Start putting the signs up about 1/2 hr before opening to give you time to get them out and the one in front of the house at opening time. That way you don't have scavengers knocking on your door at 5.30 AM.:oo:
If you think you can't handle a lot of people, ask a close friend if they wouldn't mind helping out, all you can do is ask, then you'll also know how good a friend they are. I can taste your pies here, and I'm having breakfast.:D
Enjoy the day:2tsup:
Kryn

[Poppa]

We have held garage sales, and been to hundreds. We are in the business and pick up a lot of stock through garage sales, as well as stuff for ourselves. We love a bargain. We aren't rude though - we don't turn up early, and we don't make rude offers. If we think something is grossly overpriced for what it is, we just don't bother as we don't want to insult anyone. We've paid thousands of dollars for items at garage sales when they are worth it. We have also advised lots of folks where the best place to sell their stuff is. If you have really nice things and think they are worth a lot of money, then selling them at a garage sale might not be the best place - ebay, or local auctions, or specialty auctions may be best. But if you need to get rid of stuff and you can bear letting go of stuff at bargain prices, a garage sale is ideal. I would echo a lot of the advice above. Price everything clearly, advertise a strict starting time (and don't let the early birds in!). The advice from Kryn above is good - I hadn't thought of that. One entry/exit is good advice, and having enough people on hand to mind the store while you go and help people out with information is essential. Bribe friends with an offer of beer/tea'n'cake/pizza if necessary. And don't be afraid to price things expensively if they are really worth it - just don't be emotionally attached to it. Just because you paid $5k for a lounge suite doesn't mean you'll get $1000 for it at a yard sale. But if it is still in excellent condition and still in style, then you might. Assess realistically, not emotionally. Be friendly, and remember, you're trying to get rid of stuff, not get rich. Good luck with it!

[Opelblues2]

i had a yard sale once, problem I wasn't home at the time, 1500km away working. but I did find my clothes in a bag on the front lawn. I'm not joking. anyway -

label everything - price
lock your house
have back up extra people to help
large items like cabinets, beds, tables arrange pickup time after closing, this helps when the parking in the street is tight
lock your house
place in sections - garden, tools, kitchen, kids, clothes

[Spiritwolfe]

Agree with all of the above, however, I would also add a further sobering note.

Unfortunately, possibly a sign of the times, there will be some who will take advantage by employing the 5 finger discount, even though you price things reasonably there always appears to be some who will just pinch things just because they can. A sad but true situation.

I have helped out in a few garage sales and have a few observations which may be of help.

1 You need help, you can't do it on your own.

2 Locate your cash point at the exit and try to have 1 way in and 1 way out.

3 Be prepared to haggle or refuse to sell an item, it seems that no matter how cheap or reasonable a price may be the question you will still get is "Will you take......."

4 Write down everything you sell including the price, this helps you to keep track of things and let's you reconcile your list with your cash tin. An apron with front pockets is a handy way to go for folding money.

5 Be aware of "professionals" , those who go to garage sales to pick up things as cheaply as possible for resale at markets. Quite often these are the ones who arrive hours early.

6 Ensure your house is locked, you don't want any unpleasant surprises while you have been kept busy.

7 Any items you are not selling should be removed from the area and stored away securely or some sort of physical barrier between what is being sold and what isn't.

8 If you have multiples of items, be prepared to bundle, eg books etc, $2 each or 3 for $5...

9 Get as many tables etc as possible so that items are displayed rather than have people digging through boxes trying to find bits and pieces. As things sell, replace the empty spaces if you have more than you can display or compact the area.

10 Have a box of largish stickers, brightly coloured which you can write Sold on and if possible an area set aside to locate these in. Some will buy and pickup later especially if the item is too large or heavy to take with them.

11 At the end of the day have a large bottle/s of your favourite brew because you will certainly need a "pick me up" as you will be "stuffed".

Just some thoughts.

This is a seriously priceless post about garage sales and I'd very much like to comment on it but I'll have to save it for tomorrow. Thank you for taking the time to write out such awesome points.
Its great!

[Spiritwolfe]

For credit and debit cards you can buy a PayPal device: https://www.paypal.com/au/webapps/mpp/accept-mobile-payments

They are fantastic for market stall sales.

Get out???? Now this is worth looking into.
Thanks ( thumbsup )

[Spiritwolfe]

i had a yard sale once, problem I wasn't home at the time, 1500km away working. but I did find my clothes in a bag on the front lawn. I'm not joking. anyway -

label everything - price
lock your house
have back up extra people to help
large items like cabinets, beds, tables arrange pickup time after closing, this helps when the parking in the street is tight
lock your house
place in sections - garden, tools, kitchen, kids, clothes

Thanks a bunch.
I'm not gonna ask! :(

[Spiritwolfe]

We have held garage sales, and been to hundreds. We are in the business and pick up a lot of stock through garage sales, as well as stuff for ourselves. We love a bargain. We aren't rude though - we don't turn up early, and we don't make rude offers. If we think something is grossly overpriced for what it is, we just don't bother as we don't want to insult anyone. We've paid thousands of dollars for items at garage sales when they are worth it. We have also advised lots of folks where the best place to sell their stuff is. If you have really nice things and think they are worth a lot of money, then selling them at a garage sale might not be the best place - ebay, or local auctions, or specialty auctions may be best. But if you need to get rid of stuff and you can bear letting go of stuff at bargain prices, a garage sale is ideal. I would echo a lot of the advice above. Price everything clearly, advertise a strict starting time (and don't let the early birds in!). The advice from Kryn above is good - I hadn't thought of that. One entry/exit is good advice, and having enough people on hand to mind the store while you go and help people out with information is essential. Bribe friends with an offer of beer/tea'n'cake/pizza if necessary. And don't be afraid to price things expensively if they are really worth it - just don't be emotionally attached to it. Just because you paid $5k for a lounge suite doesn't mean you'll get $1000 for it at a yard sale. But if it is still in excellent condition and still in style, then you might. Assess realistically, not emotionally. Be friendly, and remember, you're trying to get rid of stuff, not get rich. Good luck with it!

This is another fabulous post that I'll need to respond to tomorrow. Thanks so much for the detailed account of your garage sale adventures. It really opened my eyes to some things I hadn't considered.

[Spiritwolfe]

If you advertise in a local paper, put your street and suburb down, but not your house number. Start putting the signs up about 1/2 hr before opening to give you time to get them out and the one in front of the house at opening time. That way you don't have scavengers knocking on your door at 5.30 AM.:oo:
If you think you can't handle a lot of people, ask a close friend if they wouldn't mind helping out, all you can do is ask, then you'll also know how good a friend they are. I can taste your pies here, and I'm having breakfast.:D
Enjoy the day:2tsup:
Kryn
Great advice! I was just considering this today. One really does need a strategy because safety has to come first. Saying I'd be overwhelmed is an understatement . :scareboo: :doh2:

[Spiritwolfe]

What about selling at a local "trash and treasure"?

Here in Oz they are simple open air things where you just turn up, pay $5 and set up a trailer or table. Normally held on Sunday mornings.
Sounds great on paper but I have far too much stuff for that type of sale. This house is almost 20 years old and it's our first garage sale. I think I need pictures. :hahaha:
Thanks anyway. It was a good suggestion.

[chambezio]

Security is something to consider. I would make sure you could lock up any places you don't want low lifes to go. The house of coarse and I would include the shed because some may be "casing the place" for a visit when you are not home and clean you out.

Its pretty crook when you find yourself thinking this way. The trouble is it could all turn out to be true.
One Saturday morning about 7 am the dogs were barking pretty intensely at a ute that came down the drive (We live in a rural subdivision so people visiting is not the norm especially at 7am on a Saturday). Any way I went out to see who this was, the bloke jumped out of the ute and asked/demanded to know what was for sale. I, for a while, really had no idea what he was talking about. Someone closer to the village was having a sale and he was wanting to buy. I told him I had no idea and he took off and headed toward the village. When I was relaying this story to a mate he asked what this blokes description was, when I told him, he said he had quite a reputation around the garage sales. He would go through what was on offer and only want to pay pittance for stuff because he was selling it on. I have never considered a garage sale since.

[rrich]

One of the local realtors sponsors a neighborhood garage sale a couple of times a year. He does the advertising and the advantage is that there are 20 or 30 garage sales in a contained area.

Advice that I haven't seen here.
Folding money and coins only. NO CHECKS

Wear pants with large and deep pockets, coins in left pocket with folding money in the right. DO NOT use a cash box.

As a guide, price everything in advance and above what you are willing to take for it. Used power tools usually go for about half of retail price. Set the price about 20% above half price and accept less if necessary. Everything else probably should be priced about double what you would take for it.

If somebody haggles and you agree upon a price, then they say that they will be back, they probably wont. Give them a phone number to call to see if the item is still available because, "The first $$$ takes it."

You will encounter all types. I had a DeWalt 708 SCMS for sale at $350. I wanted $300 but was willing to take $275. A contractor type in a white pick up truck comes by and offers $125. I looked at him and said, "The blade is almost brand new and worth $80." This guy was really irritated and storms off. He gets in his truck, turns around and shouts $125 as he is driving by. I shake my head, NO. He flips me off and drives away. That was 8 or 10 years ago. I'm still using the DW 708. :D

[joe greiner]

All of the above, plus a lot of empty bags.

Cheers,
Joe

[Spiritwolfe]

Agree with all of the above, however, I would also add a further sobering note.

Unfortunately, possibly a sign of the times, there will be some who will take advantage by employing the 5 finger discount, even though you price things reasonably there always appears to be some who will just pinch things just because they can. A sad but true situation.

I have helped out in a few garage sales and have a few observations which may be of help.

1 You need help, you can't do it on your own.

2 Locate your cash point at the exit and try to have 1 way in and 1 way out.

3 Be prepared to haggle or refuse to sell an item, it seems that no matter how cheap or reasonable a price may be the question you will still get is "Will you take......."

4 Write down everything you sell including the price, this helps you to keep track of things and let's you reconcile your list with your cash tin. An apron with front pockets is a handy way to go for folding money.

5 Be aware of "professionals" , those who go to garage sales to pick up things as cheaply as possible for resale at markets. Quite often these are the ones who arrive hours early.

6 Ensure your house is locked, you don't want any unpleasant surprises while you have been kept busy.

7 Any items you are not selling should be removed from the area and stored away securely or some sort of physical barrier between what is being sold and what isn't.

8 If you have multiples of items, be prepared to bundle, eg books etc, $2 each or 3 for $5...

9 Get as many tables etc as possible so that items are displayed rather than have people digging through boxes trying to find bits and pieces. As things sell, replace the empty spaces if you have more than you can display or compact the area.

10 Have a box of largish stickers, brightly coloured which you can write Sold on and if possible an area set aside to locate these in. Some will buy and pickup later especially if the item is too large or heavy to take with them.

11 At the end of the day have a large bottle/s of your favourite brew because you will certainly need a "pick me up" as you will be "stuffed".

Just some thoughts.
Hi Bob,

Now I'd like to address your post.


1/. We DO need help but I'm unsure who to ask.Its actually a serious concern.


2/. The one way in, one way out is ideal but unfortunately impractical for our property. We live in the country on a fair sized lot so there really can't be a one way in that's completely controllable.


3/. Be prepared to haggle or not sell an item. I'm very prepared for that and have adjusted my prices accordingly. If they don't like it, they can leave.


4/. Write down everything sold. This might be a bit difficult but I'll try. I like the idea of keeping an inventory.


Wear an apron with large front pockets. That's a great idea but I've never owned an apron. I guess it's time to get one. Check! Good idea.


5/. Be prepared for professionals.
Yes! Those are the ones I'm most scared of.


6/. Make sure your house is locked.
Good idea. I have images of people asking to use our washroom and I'm just not ok with that for a few reasons.


7/. Separating stuff could prove difficult.. Our garage is actually part of our workshop so I might have to close and lock our garage door.
Good point.


8/. Love the bundling Idea .


9/. Tables, tables, tables. No I don't really have enough but I've got a few extra doors I can use.


10/. Sold tags I hadn't thought of or people asking to pick something up later. There's so much to consider.


11/. At the end of the day have a tall brew cause you deserve it.


If I make it through I'll definitely deserve it but I'm not a drinker so I'll pass on this one. Of course after this garage sale I might be one by then . Lol


There's so much to think about and some things I hadn't really considered.
Thanks again Bob. You have some great tips.

[KBs PensNmore]

"Wear an apron with large front pockets. That's a great idea but I've never owned an apron. I guess it's time to get one. Check! Good idea."

Do you use one for your craft work?? Could be quite handy and useful for a variety of jobs around the house, putting stuff in the pocket to put away somewhere else in the house, holding dusting cloths!!!!
As you don't drink, maybe a strong coffee???:D
Kryn

[Spiritwolfe]

I'm glad I posted about this because some of you brought up some important points about safety. Due to where we live and the circumstances involved I think a garage sale could be potentially dangerous and being a person with social anxiety issues I don't think this would be the best method of decluttering and/ or making money at this point in time. We do have a lot of really good stuff for sale so instead of dealing with people trying to haggle things next to nothing, I think I'll sell stuff locally through our free and online advertisement magazines etc. Whatever is left over I'd rather donate to charity and avoid the possibility of harassment.
Besides which, I don't wish to get to know our neighbours better. Lol!
I was trying to force myself into something didn't want to do and the decision to not do this has relieved so much stress. I don't regret putting all the time into this that I did because now everything is organized and accounted for. There's two full rooms of stuff to get rid of but I'm in no hurry to do it. Garage sales might be the quickest way to get rid of it but not always the best and not everyone is cut out for it. Me being one of them.
Thanks for helping me realize this and reach this decision.

[Bushmiller]

Spiritwolfe

Don't discount the Ebay option either. It doesn't suit every item and raises a similar raft of questions to the garage sale question. Garage sales, local mags, local newspapers and online auctions (such as Ebay, but not exclusively) are all options to offload surplus goods. Low value high weight items, for example, really only suit local pick up and can be a problem for shipping, particularly in the second largest country in the world excluding Antartica .

Regards
Paul

[Spiritwolfe]

Spiritwolfe

Don't discount the Ebay option either. It doesn't suit every item and raises a similar raft of questions to the garage sale question. Garage sales, local mags, local newspapers and online auctions (such as Ebay, but not exclusively) are all options to offload surplus goods. Low value high weight items, for example, really only suit local pick up and can be a problem for shipping, particularly in the second largest country in the world excluding Antartica .

Regards
Paul
Thanks Paul,
I have come to the same conclusion. Small lightweight items could be mailed out through various online sources, other valuable items too heavy to ship could be sold locally, some stuff taken to the local garbage dump, some stuff given to local charities and other stuff put at the roadside marked free. Metal is often taken to be recycled.
Organizing this was the hardest part but now that it's done , it makes the above so much easier.

I'm so glad I didn't go through with this. I've been in this same house going on 20 years and still don't know most of my neighbours by name. They wave and smile as they pass me on the country road and that's about it. I'm a introvert loner and frankly , it's the way I like it. That's one of reasons I like where I live.
Organizing to have a garage sale was going against all my natural instincts. Red flags were going off everywhere and it makes sense why. Once I read what you all had to say, I realized it wasn't an irrational fear I was having. There ARE some rational reasons to have concern regarding this .

It was very helpful to have both the pros and cons of garage sales so thanks again people.

[rustynail]

I would only have a garage sale if I was selling a garage.
I don't need every Tom, Dick and Harry casing the joint.