Garage Sales

Updated on June 01, 2016
A.S. asks from Overland Park, KS
12 answers

Hello! I am planning on having a garage sale this month, but I have never had one before. I'm worried about over/under pricing things, so I was wondering what appropriate prices would be? I have lots of children's clothes, baby items, toys, and mostly women's clothing that doesn't fit me anymore. All of the women's clothing is in great shape and hardly worn - like nice pants from Limited, Gap, Banana Republic, etc.

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D.L.

answers from Kansas City on

Adult clothing generally doesn't sell well at g.sales. If you have nice stuff and want to make money on it, you may be better off with ebay, but it is more work and costs to list it. If you are serious about getting rid of it, I wouldnt' go over $2.
Kids stuff will sell for about a dollar a piece, unless it is super brand names.
Good luck

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K.B.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi, Anne. I think the best advice is to price things at amounts you would buy them for. Most people are looking for bargains and although they like the brand names, will still not pay much more than a few dollars for them. And that is for adult clothes. I would stay under $2 for kids clothes. I know it makes you sick when you think about how much you paid for them. Have you tried any consignment stores? You may have better luck with them. I hope your sale goes great!

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K.M.

answers from Kansas City on

For the adult stuff, would you be better of with a consignment store?? And like Adah, when and were is your sale?!

Get the garage sale stickers, Wal-mart has them, but they are in either the office supply section, or the hardware section. They will make your life so much easier.

Also, have a lot of one dollar bills available for giving change. One pricing strategy that I have used is to price everything at at least 25 cents, that way you only have to deal with quarters for giving change. Also makes it easier to add stuff up in your head.

Good luck!

M.A.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi Anne,

I know you had many responses already but I want you to know that I like good stuff and I haven't been shopping in garage sales lately (in a long time I should say) but if I am willing to pay $80 for a gorgeos pair of pants in Banana Republic, then I will be more than happy if I can find one at a garage sale for $15 or so. The problem is that the people that goes to your garage sale might not be able to purchase your pants because of size or other matter like diferent taste in color, etc so it is hard to find the right customer for your specific items.
That said, I would say, if it is something that it is still in fashion, let's say in the last year or so or a classic that looks like new (jacket, raincoat, etc) I can't say $2 is enough, I would prefer to give it to charity rather than selling an expensive item for a couple of bucks.
If you go to a store that sells use or defective merchandise, you ralrely pay $2 for an item that worth a lot more.
Check your items carefully, make sure they don't have any stains, or wear or tears and if they look like new, think how much you would pay for it if you have to buy it again and take a few extra bucks for the size and taste issue (fewer customers).
A bit of advice, have a cordless phone with you and never leave your cell phone or keys and car keys unattended! I have a frind that did a garage sale for the first time and while looking for change or answering the house phone, left the keys and cell phone outside, and where stolen, you can imagine the headhache after that. She said she'll never do a garage sale again no matter what.
Keep change handy but out of sight, like a plastic pencil box under a tablecloth or something like that or even better a belt purse where you can carry with you, don't get distracted unless you leave nothing important outside. Not even if someone ask you to use the phone or for a glass of water. Just say sorry but can't leave the place unattended or take all the important things with you, keep everything handy or in one single bag that you can carry with you.
Keep batteries handy if someone ask to try a toy, again so you don't need to go inside. If you post local signs, the risk of being stolen are less but if you go newspaper and public lists....you'll get a ot more people but be careful!
Best of luck!
Mariana

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F.C.

answers from Kansas City on

good morning, you can go high price to low. my guess is, between 15 to 10 dollers for the pants. toys, i am sure you paid good money for it. but usally between 8 to 5 dollers. it is also depends on the person who is buying it. goodwill usally cost about $15 to how they price. then ofcourse goodwill will charge more.i have seen toys for $4, or $5. try to see, how people response.
Good luck
F.

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S.S.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi there, We have had many, many garage sales, as well as gone to many, many garage sales. After listening to people at our garage sales and the ones we have gone to....people always want the best bargain. I know its hard to part with clothes you spent alot on but it depends on just how bad you want to get rid of them. I will not spend more than $3 on any clothes...adult or child..unless its a specialty item. But...do remember that most people will ask you to take less so mark accordingly. You can certainly mark your items higher but I have seen many people take one look at high prices and walk away without even looking. Also, in your driveway, make sure you put the items that will be best sellers, out front...such as strollers..baby seats, etc. anything that will grab their attention. If all they see is a bunch of clothing, many will do the "driveby" and not even stop to look.
Hope this helps..

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A.B.

answers from Kansas City on

Anne-
I just had a garage sale not too long ago. The dollar store has garage sale pricing stickers (at least they did when I had my sale). To make it easy on yourself, I would price all womens shirts the same price, all pants the same price, etc. Then for nicer items, I had a hang up rack where clothes were priced individully. I didn't have much luck with selling adult clothes- and my prices were pretty cheap ($.50-$2.00). Also, I would post your garage sale info on craigslist.com. This is a way you can attract more people and advertise for free.

Good luck!
A.

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P.M.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi Anne and all

I wonder if there is someone who can help organize garage sales at a reasonable cost. I am a full time working mother of three boys. I don't really have much time and motivation to organize a garage sale. I have SO MANY clothes, baby stuff, toys, computer junk, and other things piled up high in our garage and basement, and my husband is cranky, wanting his space back. When is the best time to have a garage sale?

Your advice would be appreciated!

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C.H.

answers from Kansas City on

Anne my best respones to you is to remember it is a garage sale these are not new items (realizing they may look new) also remember you can alway go down in your price. (not up) and then the actual price depends on how much to want to sale them or keep them. That choice is yours to make. I never mark my childs' shirts over a $2.00 and her jean over $5.00 all her item are Limit 2 - and if the shape is not great I mark it .50 I want to get rid of them. Because I can also come down. I hope his helps

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K.T.

answers from Kansas City on

I am not sure you can underprice something. My general rule of thumb is about 1/4 of retail on the bigger items and no more than $2 for baby clothes. I think adullt clothing is hard to sell.

If you set your prices at the lowest you'll take and don't want to dicker, I would make a sign "Prices are Firm". You may even want to write it in Spanish too. "Los precios son firmes."

I think when pricing a garage sale you need to decide if you are trying to make money or trying to gt rid of your stuff without giving it away.

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K.L.

answers from Houston on

I have a garage sale business and I help people do there garage sale and after it is over I take your stuff that did not sale and sale it for you. Try us out d&k garage sales unlimited ###-###-####

Updated

I have a garage sale business and I help people do there garage sale and after it is over I take your stuff that did not sale and sale it for you. Try us out d&k garage sales unlimited ###-###-####

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A.S.

answers from Kansas City on

Where and when is your garage sale???

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