How To Keep Money Safe At Garage Sale

12 Min Read | Apr 19, 2022

Looking for some like shooting fish in a barrel ways to make extra money? (Who isn't?) Maybe you're trying to ramp upwardly your speed toward that Debt-Free Scream. Or maybe you only want to replace that old nasty couch that's been Febreezed one too many times.

No matter your reason, i of the tried and true means to make some quick cash is past having a garage sale. And believe us: There's naught better than a garage auction—for the seller and the buyer. You've got a well-loved kitchen table that needs to go? At that place'southward someone in the market place for that. Y'all're finally ready to part with those clothes yous've never worn? Yep—somebody will probably desire those besides.

If you're a newbie to the yard sale game, don't worry. We've got all the garage sale tips to assistance y'all get organized, toll your stuff fairly, and terminate the day with a handful of cash.

5 Tips for Getting Garage-Sale Ready

If your firm looks like information technology'due south been on an episode of Hoarders, it'south well past fourth dimension to have a garage sale. And now that you've made the determination, it's time to get prepare for the big mean solar day:

one. Make clean out your closet.

Sounds uncomplicated, but it has to be said. You know that cupboard in the hallway that you avoid? Yup—the 1 that yous open very slowly in fearfulness that something might fall on you? Yeah . . . it's time to clean it out. And we mean deep clean. What's even in there? Decorations from your hymeneals? Old gifts that you never used or regifted? Clothing that doesn't fit anymore? Clean information technology out. And while you're at it, dig through your garage, basement, attic, other closets, cabinets and nether all the beds.

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If you lot don't utilize information technology or wear it often (or you forgot it even existed), it probably needs to get. And if yous need some actress motivation, remember Marie Kondo's sage advice: If it doesn't bring y'all joy, get rid of information technology! Not only volition you exist able to take inventory of what you lot take, yous'll proceeds extra space in the process. Decluttering never felt so good!

2. Get-go sorting.

Having a garage auction can be a daunting task, and then go ahead and do the major work ahead of time. Equally you're unearthing all of those lawn tennis rackets, clothes and old board games, sort them into iii bones categories: Keep, Sell and Trash.

Don't worry about pricing anything right now—simply focus on sorting and getting organized. Your main goal here is to get rid of the junk and discover a permanent dwelling house for the stuff you lot're going to keep. Once your piles are made, pull out all of the items you lot sorted to sell.

3. Get used to the thought.

If you're not too thrilled about the idea of strangers stopping by your front yard (or if y'all desire to split some of the workload), team upwardly with another family unit on your block or check with your neighborhood association to run across if a customs sale is coming up.

4. Set a date.

Fri, Saturday and Lord's day mornings are ordinarily the best time to agree your garage sale. Here'southward an insider garage sale tip: Consider scheduling it on the commencement weekend of the month—a lot of paychecks leave at the terminate of the month, then people will have cash to spend.

The before the start, the libation the temperature volition exist. Y'all might even have more people bear witness upward because they'll get their shopping out of the fashion early! And don't forget to check the forecast before yous hang upwards signs effectually the neighborhood. Rainy days go along the buyers away!

5. Stock up on supplies.

You lot can buy simple pricing stickers and blank labels at the dollar shop or any office supply shop. Or if you're wanting to be actually upkeep friendly, just pick up a permanent marker and masking tape and get to pricing your items. You'll need to accept a table and chairs so you lot tin can have a designated expanse to cash people out (and stay comfortable) on garage auction 24-hour interval.

And yous're going to demand some space to bear witness off all the ane-of-a-kind items you're selling. You can set out tables, blankets, boxes and storage containers or even lay a board over two sturdy boxes. Whatever y'all do, brand sure breakable items are supported on a stable surface.

How to Set Garage Sale Prices

When it comes to pricing, you've got to put yourself in the shoes of the heir-apparent. What would you pay for that item at a similar garage auction? What would be as well much? What would be and so inexpensive you felt like you stole it? Here are some garage sale tips for pricing all that practiced stuff you just cleaned out of your business firm:

1. Name your price.

Want to know ane of the elevation garage sale tips to remember when pricing? Don't exist sentimental nigh your stuff and overprice it in the procedure. If yous need an objective stance, ask a friend to come over and tell you lot what they would reasonably pay for the particular. And if they wouldn't pay a dime for it . . . perchance go ahead and chuck that in the donation bin.

But for everything else, you lot'll want to do a quick online search to check the current value. Keep information technology realistic by pricing things a quarter or a third of what they would cost make new. If you price a sweater y'all bought for $fourscore at $50, information technology's probably not going to sell. But an $80 sweater (in perfect status) for $25? Now you've got yourself a deal.

If you're not sure how to toll a garage sale item, here are some pricing suggestions to get you started:

Infant Clothes

Suggested price: $1 to $iii for gently used/practiced condition, or less than $1 for well-worn items

Adult Dress

Suggested toll: $iii to $5 (more if the particular still has tags on it)

Shoes

Suggested price: $3 to $vii

Coats

Suggested price: $5 to $fifteen

Jewelry

Suggested price: 50 cents to $ii (but if you think the jewelry is valuable, accept it appraised first)

Books

Suggested toll: $1 to $2 for hardcover and 25 to l cents for paperback

Blu-ray Discs, DVDs or CDs

Suggested price: $iii to $five

Toys and Games

Suggested price: $1 to $three each

Home Décor

Suggested toll: $3 to $5

Furniture

Suggested price: $10 to $30 for depression-quality furniture but no more than one-third of the price for loftier-quality pieces

two. Make prices visible.

Brand sure your prices are in plain view by using price tags or stickers. If you don't have fourth dimension, at least group similarly priced items together with a sign that breaks downward the cost. Or use colored stickers and hang upwards a chart that specifies the cost past color. For instance, green stickers are fifty cents, bluish stickers are $1, and red stickers are $2.

Bigger items telephone call for bigger price tags. Don't make the buyer search for a tiny sticker on that armoire you're selling. Make it big, noticeable and attractive to the heir-apparent.

3. Bundle items.

It's piece of cake to decline DVDs at $ane a pop. Just if you offer them at four for $two, you're certain to catch someone's attention. Look effectually for ways to brand a deal. If information technology's the cease of the 24-hour interval and you really want to move your items, let customers fill upwards a pocketbook with items for a $5 or $10 apartment rate. Remember those grab bags at the store when you were footling? That aforementioned concept still works as an adult!

four. Don't hike up your prices and look to haggle.

Price your items so they'll sell. Catamenia. Don't set the starting price high and expect your customers to haggle you down. Many potential buyers will walk away from large prices and never even carp to haggle—and you just lost a potential sale.

How to Advertise Your Garage Sale

Don't overthink your garage sale marketing as well much. (Information technology'south a garage sale afterward all.) Grab some signs and balloons from the dollar store and describe big arrows letting folks know how to get to your house. Be sure the path is then elementary that a first-grader could find it!

If y'all desire to annunciate in the local paper, church building bulletin or neighborhood Facebook group, go for it. Just remember: Go on information technology unproblematic and don't stress. If you build it, they will come up.

viii Garage Sale Tips for the Big Twenty-four hours

Now that yous've set a date and priced your stuff, it'due south time to sell! Here are some garage sale tips that volition make sure yous have the best sale you peradventure can:

one. Have some alter on hand.

You don't desire to lose a sale simply considering you don't have some spare George Washingtons floating around (that'due south dollar bills, folks). Have enough small bills on hand to make change for your customers.

2. Know how to negotiate/haggle.

Anybody wants a bargain (who doesn't?). That's why people wake up early on Sabbatum mornings to buy your castoffs. If the customer wants to negotiate, then let them negotiate, but stick to your guns if the price gets besides low. You're non giving your stuff abroad! Well—non nonetheless anyway.

3. Make it appealing.

If y'all really want your stuff to sell, you lot've got to go far await prissy. Before you try to sell those things that take been collecting dust, really clean them off! Fill up bicycle tires and basketballs with air. Scrape the mud out of your kid's onetime soccer cleats.

If something needs batteries to run, fill it with some half-used batteries (or fifty-fifty new batteries if yous want to be nice) so the buyer knows it works. Keep an extension cord handy for buyers to test out appliances that need an outlet. And place a mirror nearly the clothing and accessories. It might seem lightheaded, but going the extra mile can actually be the divergence in making a sale and losing one.

4. Position your stuff.

The morning of the sale, get up early on and practice a piffling setting upwards. Make sure whatever you're selling looks attractive. Put your more than interesting items closer to the street then people know you're selling more merely T-shirts, costume jewelry and quondam coffee mugs.

For everything else, go along it organized, clearly priced and piece of cake to sort through. Stock your checkout area with plastic grocery bags and newspaper to wrap upwards delicate items. Those small touches volition go a long way!

five. Get your family involved.

If you have a teenager, y'all know it'due south hard to get them excited well-nigh most things that happen early a Saturday morning—let alone a garage sale. So, why not cutting them in on the profits? Make a deal with your teen: If they gather up their unwanted items to sell, you'll permit them go along whatever cash they make. Is this just a surreptitious plan to become your teen to clean their room? Absolutely. But they'll never know.

If yous have younger kids, get them involved past letting them homo a lemonade stand or bake-sale berth. Who can resist a pint-sized entrepreneur?

6. Be safe.

Okay, this might seem like a strange garage sale tip, but stay with us. Nearly shoppers are well-meaning people just out looking for a good deal. Merely the reality is, you lot're still letting strangers shop on your forepart lawn.

Information technology'due south a expert idea to proceed the doors of your house locked during the sale. Don't allow anyone into your business firm to use the bath or get a drink of water. Just go along a bullpen of complementary h2o exterior and point them in the direction of the nearest gas station.

Be on baby-sit when it comes to all that cash besides. Continue the smaller bills in a cash box or on your body with an apron or fanny pack. If someone makes a purchase with a large bill, it's best to give it to a family member to take inside for safekeeping.

7. Figure out what to do with unsold items.

If you still accept some higher-dollar items left at the end of the twenty-four hours, sell your stuff online! Post something inside your community's Facebook group, list items on Craigslist or eBay, or share them on apps like Bandy, OfferUp and VarageSale. Consider selling clothing on places like Poshmark and thredUP.

Just be sure to always include pictures of your items. People won't fifty-fifty consider ownership your antiquarian floor lamp if your listing doesn't take a picture. And research similar items before you price yours and so you can become an authentic thought of what to ask for.

8. Find a truck.

Everyone has leftover stuff subsequently having a garage sale. You volition likewise. If you're sick of looking at it and don't desire to haul information technology all dorsum inside, it's time to donate. Enquire a friend with a truck to aid yous haul the items to a local austerity shop or charity. If you lot don't have a friend with a truck, y'all might fifty-fifty be able to asking a pickup on the day of your large sale.

Savour Your Garage Auction Profits!

Thanks to these garage sale tips, you've now had a successful yard sale from first to stop. And if non . . . you've got time to start setting upwardly another garage sale! And remember: The more you're able to take your time and brand sense of your stuff, the easier (and more successful) your garage sale will exist.

Now that the difficult part's over, count up your cash, do a victory dance, and put that money where it needs to get. And if yous're not quite certain where to spend information technology, try out a nothing-based budget. Your budget will give each of these dollars a job to exercise. And so, whether you're working on paying off debt, investing for retirement, or even only saving up for next Christmas, your EveryDollar budget tin can assist you stay organized. Want to endeavour it out? Download the app (gratuitous) right here and get to work.

Ramsey Solutions

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