Tips for a Successful Garage Sale

Getting ready for a garage sale

You’re more likely to host an organized and successful garage sale if you plan in advance. Use these tips to prepare for and host a successful sale.

1. Find quality items you no longer use

Clean out your closets, drawers, attic and basement. Search your home for unwanted items like clothes, toys and household goods. Keep an eye out for things you no longer use. However, you should avoid including items that are dirty, stained or outdated.

2. Make three piles

Dividing your unused items into “sell,” “keep” and “trash” piles will help you decide what to sell. The "sell" pile is for items in good condition. The "keep" pile is for sentimental or needed items. The "trash" pile is for anything broken or unsellable.

Saturday and Sunday mornings, particularly in the milder months, are ideal for hosting garage or yard sales.

3. Pick a date

The best time for a garage sale is spring or summer when foot traffic is high. Schedule it for a weekend morning to attract more foot traffic.

4. Set your prices

Goodwill of the Heartland recommends not selling items at over 10% of their retail costs. So if you bought a $20 book, price it at $2 or less at the garage sale. The company also mentioned that pricing items under $5 tends to lead to faster sales.

Items priced under $5 usually sell faster.

Your pricing strategy will also depend on your goals. Do you want to sell every item and make more space in your home, or would you rather make as much money as possible? Lower prices help move items quickly. Higher prices tend to be more effective in upscale areas.

5. Spread the word

About two weeks before your sale, start advertising on social media and in online community groups. Share photos of items you think will generate the most interest to excite potential shoppers.

Don't forget the old-fashioned method of posting flyers around town. Whichever method you use, be sure to include all the important details, like the date, time and location of your sale. 

6. Make signs

A couple of days before the sale, create clear, weather-resistant signs with:

• An arrow pointing in the direction of your home
• "Garage sale" or “Yard sale” in bold letters
• The date, time and address

What do you need for a garage sale?

For a smooth sale, gather these essentials:

• Price tags to mark items clearly or group them by price.
• Tables to display items neatly for easy browsing.
• Clothing racks and hangers for keeping clothes organized and wrinkle-free.
• Small bills and coins so you can easily provide change for buyers.
• Cash boxes to secure money and facilitate transactions.
• Calculators for adding up purchases and calculating change.
• Bags and wrapping materials to package customer purchases neatly.
• Chairs so you have a place to sit during slow periods.
• Boxes to store unsold items for donation or future sales.
• Markers for updating pricing or creating signs as needed.
• Permits may be needed to legally hold a sale, depending on where you live. Be sure to get any required permits a week or two in advance.

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The day before the sale

Finalize pricing, prepare signs and ensure your sales area is ready the day before the garage sale starts. Double-check that valuable or personal items aren’t mistakenly included. Set up a sales station with cash, wrapping materials and a calculator.

You should also check the weather for the following day. If you plan on taking electronic payments, it’s a good idea to test your system in advance.

Accepting electronic payments at a garage sale

Cash is the simplest payment method when it comes to garage sales. However, some customers may not have enough (if any) cash on them when they stop by. Electronic payments can offer a flexible option for customers, leading to a higher success rate for your garage sale. If you’re considering the best electronic payment option, there are a few things to think about.

You can accept credit card payments through payment service providers like Square. However, you should be sure to consider transaction fees, which you’ll be on the hook for since you are the merchant.

Another option is using a payment app like Venmo or PayPal. These apps don’t charge transaction fees, although they do require both parties to have an account. If you go this route, be prepared to give your username or email to prospective buyers. If you plan in advance, you can even print out and display a QR code that takes buyers directly to your profile.

How to sell as much as possible

When sale day arrives, these tips can help ensure things run smoothly so that you sell as much as possible.

• Open early: Most sales start at 8 a.m. or 9 a.m., but opening earlier attracts serious buyers.
• Keep track of sales: Use a notebook or spreadsheet to record sales and pricing trends for future reference.
• Put big-ticket items in front: Place valuable items close to the curb to attract people passing by.
• Cut prices: If you have a two-day sale, offer discounts on the second day to clear out inventory.
• Be flexible on prices: Negotiating helps move items faster, but avoid giving away valuable pieces for too little.
• Make your sale inviting: Organize items neatly, add decorations and play music to create a welcoming atmosphere.
• Sell refreshments: Stocking bottled water or packaged snacks can add to your profits and keep shoppers around longer.
• Keep valuable items close: To prevent theft, keep expensive items near you or inside a secure case.
• Recruit help: Running a sale alone is challenging. Ask friends or family to assist.
• Join forces with neighbors: A multifamily sale attracts more shoppers, increasing your chances of selling more.

FAQ

Is a garage sale worth it?

A garage sale is worth it if you are hoping to declutter your home and make some extra cash. The success of your garage sale, however, depends on your goals and approach.

If your primary focus is to get rid of unwanted items, be prepared to price things competitively and negotiate with buyers. If you're aiming to make the most money possible, research pricing trends, highlight high-value items and be strategic about discounts throughout the day.