I don’t know about you, but I love me a good garage sale. I also love putting on one big sale a year {one is my max! They are worth it but so much work!!}! That “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” thing is spot on! But what are the treasures and what’s trash? Can you plop any old thing out on some tables and expect success? The answer is no! There are some super hot items that always sell like crazy, and some that should never see the light of day at your sale. I’ve listed the top 10 of each:
Best
- Furniture: Big furniture items alone can draw a crowd to your sale.
- Kids/baby items: Parents look for gently used items, so toss the stained and ripped stuff.
- Tools: power tools preferred
- Entertainment items: books, video games, DVDs
- Toys: clean and unbroken
- Bikes: preferably ready to ride
- Sports gear and equipment: treadmills, golf clubs, baseball bats, soccer cleats
- Designer anything: shoes, purses, perfume
- Clothing: but if you overprice it, it won’t sell.
- Appliances: Make sure they can plug them in to make sure they work.
Worst
- Stuffed animals: Because yet another stuffed bear is not what they’re there for.
- Used makeup: Yuck!
- Travel souvenirs: That shot glass from Vegas meant a lot to you, not a stranger.
- VHS tapes: Unless you’re including a VCR, these won’t sell.
- Used undergarments: I cannot tell you how many times I’ve seen these. Nope, Just nope!
- Used shoes: Unless they are brand new or nearly new, just donate them.
- Dirty items: If you can’t take them time to clean them, your customers certainly won’t take the time to buy them!
- Used toiletries: Half a bottle of shampoo anyone?
- Broken appliances: Some people think if they slash the price, someone will take it home and fix it. This is rare.
- Old TVs and clunky computer monitors: If it’s not flat screen, I wouldn’t even waste the space.
And there’s my advice. What sells well for you? What doesn’t move?
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Carrie says
I have sold quite a few pairs of gently used dress shoes at my yard sales. Books and CDs never sell well. Jewelry doesn’t sell well either (used earrings? icky!). I love looking for neat plant containers, watering cans, lamps and puzzles (my favorite way to pass the time). So many people try to buy my potted plants off my front porch! So strange!
TJD says
Mavis, you missed one very important thing. a FREE box! I’m always surprised what walks from the free box. I got rid of several sheets (odds and ends) last garage sale. I asked the lady what for? she had a women’s shelter in mind! Now, these were USED sheets (CLEAN) but nothing fancy. I was happy for her to take them. Never know…
Tammy says
At my last sale I got rid of a lot of stuff by marking it “free”. In my eyes it was just junk that wouldn’t have sold anyhow (an old bucket, a mop with no head, etc.). Also, at the end of the sale I put some large stuff on the curb and it was gone within an hour.
Lisa Millar says
Good idea! We are hoping to have one soon – people love free stuff and it puts them in a good buying mood 😀
lynne says
My sisters and I have had a sale every year for the last 25. Most important thing we’ve learned – keep it CLEAN and ORGANIZED. Our clothing is not piled haphazardly on a table. It is folded, and like sized clothing together. In between customers, we go thru and re-straighten everything that got scattered.
Best sellers: Kids clothes, dvd’s, books, and crafty stuff.
Worst sellers: Mens clothing, shoes.
And, toiletries (even 1/2 empty bottles) seem to sell really good at our sales.
LynneinMN
Tammy says
OK so I’ve sold used underwear at yard sales. The last one, someone had given me undies in a box of hand me downs, and I stuck them in my yard sale. My sister was teasing me about them and saying no one would buy them. I said, “just you wait, someone will buy them!” and they sold! Haha I got my quarter for 6 pairs of undies.
I have had three yard sales over the last 6 years or so. After every one, I say, “never again”. The last one was a joint yard sale with my sister. It was mostly stuff that I just needed to get rid of because our new house didn’t have much storage. I can’t remember exactly, but I made around $200 and nothing was higher than $10. BUT I had a TON of junk. We don’t have a garage or basement, just a small storage area in the attic. So I definitely don’t feel like attempting to keep stuff all year for a yard sale. I sell the big stuff and donate the small stuff to a thrift store.
Deborah says
What will sell all depends on where you live and who the buyers are.
Since I live about 60 miles from Mexico, that is where a lot of the buyers come from.
They buy furniture, clothing, housewares, and take it back to Mexico and sell it there.
i usually put a Free box, which would be things that I might feel uncomfortable selling,
like underwear or socks. But if it is clean, and someone needs it them.
My sales were pretty casual, I don’t have a garage to stage/ price stuff, so I just have
an idea as to what I want for it, and it works for me.
Beth says
I have been having 2 garage sales per year for the last few years. Our town has a spring city-wide yard sale and a fall city-wide yard sale, and traffic is amazing. It is always a multi-family sale, and that means I don’t have to do all the work!
We have actually had luck with stuffed animals and VHS tapes. We even had a gentleman that was upset that my co-yard sale buddy had donated her cassette tapes instead of bringing them to sale for him to buy! Strange what people like in the mid-west.
Oh, and we pretty much always have a free box…and people can hardly believe it!
Lisa Millar says
Timely! On my list today is getting out and putting a few boxes together to start getting organised for a joint Garage sale.
The free box is a great idea.
We will also put out a market – like stall with home grown produce, home made sauces/jams and handmade items – just to keep the variety up!
Lisa says
My husband is a video gamer and specifically goes to sales looking for the big clunky crt TVs! Those guys make arcades out of them bc I guess the picture is better. Anyway, those may not sell but get the right person and they’ll scoop just about anything up!
Weirdest thing I sold at a garage sale was a container full of seashells. This guy made jewelry out of them! Fairly odd and eclectic but you never know! Especially in Iowa.
Pam says
I like craft stuff–not for me but for my grandkids. I can pick up all sorts of odds and ends–beads, buttons, doll hair, crepe paper streamers, sequins, etc. My granddaughters LOVE having so much to choose from. I buy quality used toys to use at church. I am also tasked with making goody bags for about 30 homebound elderly folks once a year. I don’t find much at yard sales but last year I made it a specific goal to buy like new eyeglass cases and found enough for the bags. For this year I found a lot of new, quality pens and a box of never used and still in the package clear acrylic frames with magnets on the back. Made it easier and more budget friendly to fill those bags with a variety of things.
gina says
You’re right Mavis- SO much work but when you get to sit there, watch all the peeps, drink your coffee, eat a cinnamon roll………..good times! This gets me thinking I should have another one!
Rozy says
Not sure I agree with the “souvenirs” won’t sell statement. I’m too cheap to buy them at retail prices so I look for them at yard sales and get them for the right price. I believe selling all depends on the demographics of who attends your sale. I’ve NEVER sold clothing at our, no matter how nice it was and how it was displayed. What sells best for me is kitchen gear; dishes, mixing bowls, gadgets, etc. Thanks for sharing your info and expertise. There’s always something new to learn.
Elizabeth says
My sister and I have put on a whole lot of garage sales together over the years. I think it started with a toy sale when we were just kids. People buy some crazy stuff! We often pick our most bizarre item and predict whether it will sell or not.
Sheri says
look up sold of vintage granny panties on ebay..and some brands of lightly used shoes.. $$$$$$ never say never
Ange says
Stuffed animals are good for flipping!
lavender says
Don’t exactly agree with the “stuffed animals won’t sell” thing. At my last yard sale i listed all of my old beanie boos for $2 and sold them all.
Ruth says
I’m having my first yard sale in 40 years this Saturday and was wondering if I should put out scrap wood. If so, what should I price it at?