Basic Guide to Garage Sale Pricing A good rule of thumb is 10% of retail, except for high demand items like children’s clothing and baby items, where you might get a little more if it’s in good shape or is a premium brand name. The more attractive your tables and set. Make More Money at Garage Sales by Not Pricing Items. Garage sales are a great way to pare down your excess stuff and make some quick cash in the process. However, you can make more money with a. Sell Speciality Items Online First. If you have some specialty items that you plan on selling at your.

• Pricing Baby Items For Garage Sale
• Guide To Pricing Items For Garage Sale

This post first appeared over at ClarkHoward.com.

Whether you’ve been bitten by the KonMari bug or you’re simply indulging in a classic spring cleaning session, now is the beginning of garage sale season. Yes, garage sales are a lot of work, but done right they can prove quite profitable.

First of all, you need to let go of thinking that you have a snowball’s chance in hell to recoup the money you once paid for your stuff. These spending choices are in the past and are a sunk cost that’s already been incurred and can never be recovered. How much you spent on an item is now irrelevant to its garage sale value. You essentially drove it off the lot and took the financial hit. Get over it.

However, you can still rake in enough money to make hosting a garage sale worth your while. The key is to set prices low enough for as many sales as possible. Yes, it’s painful, but it’s better to make a fast nickel than a slow dime. Or no dime. There’s zero profit in an unsold item.

Of course some items are better sold online rather than from a garage sale buyers who are looking to for amazing bargains. Those things include antique and vintage goods, as well as other high value items. A quick look at “completed items” on eBay will give you a sense of how desirable your stuff is, as spelled out in this Clark Howard article. (Sadly, this tip may educate you on how little your stuff is worth rather than confirm that you’re sitting on a fortune.)

How much to ask can be confusing, so I reached out to members of The Non-Consumer Advocate Facebook group to get a sense of how prices differ throughout the country and there was almost no consensus except that people vehemently hate unpriced “make me an offer” sales. “Nothing is worse ‘than make me an offer.’ I don’t even know where to begin if you don’t give me an asking price.”

So much much should you ask?

Rule of thumb varies from 10% to 30% of the initial price, and I’ve even heard to price half of how much an item would sell in a local thrift store. The Salvation Army publishes a donation value guide, which is quite handy, as it provides prices on everything from ice skates ($3 – $16) to bathing suits. ($4 – $12)

Pricing Baby Items For Garage Sale

Consider these pricing guidelines:

• Books – Hardback books $1, paperback books 50¢

• Clothing – Shirts $1, pants $2, shoes $3, outerwear $5

• Housewares – Dishes – 50¢ – $1, glassware 50¢, pots and pans $4, linens $2, small appliances $5

• Toys – Large toys $3, small toys 50¢, stuffed animals 50¢ – $1

• Furniture – Chairs $5, tables $10-$20, rugs $20, dressers $30, lamps $5 – $10

• Collectibles – Records $1, knick-knacks 50¢ – $2

If the thought of individually pricing your merchandise is overwhelming, consider setting blanket prices for certain categories such as hardback books for $1, baby clothing for 50¢ or shoes for $3. Create easy to read signs and make it as easy as possible for potential buyers to understand your pricing structure. Maybe even set up a $1 table, a $2 table or similar.

Of course, the key to getting people to pay your set prices is to physically get people to your sale, and for that you need advertising. And in today’s internet era that means sites such as Craigslist,Facebook and Next Door. However, don’t discount the power of a straightforward hand drawn cardboard sign, set up at nearby intersections. You’ll need traffic, lots of it.

Preparing for a successful garage sale with:

• Price stickers – Can be as official as the pre-printed ones from an office supply company or ordinary pieces of painter’s tape.

• Tables and clothing racks – Folding tables are ideal, but don’t hesitate to haul out a couple of traditional tables as many people lack the physical ability to crouch down.

• Change – Small bills and coins. You’ll be making change and will need dollar bills and quarters.

• Bags – These don’t need to be as professional and uniform as a standard retail store would supply, but you’ll still need a stash for customer convenience.

• Snacks and drinks – You’ll be outside all day and need to plan what you’ll be eating and drinking throughout the day. It’s unlikely that you’ll want to leave your stuff unattended while cooking a meal from scratch.

• A buddy – Whether or not you’re hosting a neighborhood garage sale, it’s still a good idea to recruit a buddy for both safety and sanity.

• Sunscreen – Slather up people, skin cancer is a killer.

Bonus garage sale tips:

• Move your cars to make it easier for potential shoppers. Maybe even ask if your neighbors are willing to do the same.

• Price all items at 25¢ increments to simplify the math.

• Set aside the notion that bargaining is rude. Give discounts when people are buying multiple items and remember that your goal is have as few unsold items as possible.

• Slash prices at the end of the day. Yes, you’ll hardly make any money on these items, but some money is better than no money.

• Rearrange and tidy up your tables throughout the day so potential buyers don’t think the good stuff has already been sold.

• Pay attention to the weather forecast. Nobody wants to buy a soggy book.

Be sure to make a plan for unsold items. If you’ve gone through the mental anguish of deciding what to get rid of, you do yourself a disservice by bringing those things back into your home. Some non-profits will pick up donations, or you could even advertise a “curb alert” on your local Buy Nothing Group. Borrow a truck, load up the minivan or make multiple trips to the donation center, but do not haul your stuff back into your house!

Unfortunately, not all living situations lend themselves to hosting a garage sale. Maybe you’re in an apartment or living under home owner association or civic regulations that prohibit hosting a sale. Worry not, as you still have options. You can either pair up with a buddy who lives in a sale-friendly area or do a virtual garage sale through Facebook Marketplace, VarageSale or LetGo.com.

Whether the goal of your garage sale is to declutter or to bring in revenue, the Clark Smart thing to do is to set specific customer friendly prices that’ll relieve your home of excess stuff while maximizing profits. Best of luck, and may the luck of good weather be on your side.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

Guide To Pricing Items For Garage Sale

Garage Item Pricing

Knowing how to price your items is of importance. For example, there was a man in California who purchased Ansel Adams negatives for $45.00 only later to find out they were worth $220 million.

• Baby Clothes– Price depends entirely upon condition and brand. If it's from baby gap or Gymboree and has a tag on it still, 5.00 and up should be reasonable. If there's no tag or it's been worn then $3.00 or less is appealing. If there are stains or damaged clothing it can be thrown in a donation/free box which will entice other purchases.
• Clothing - Again, brand names and condition help the asking price here.
• Plain tee shirts -.25-50 cents.
• Brand name polos, lacoste or other trendy brands - $5.00
• Plain blue jeans - $1.00
• Brand name jeans - $3.00
• Fleeces, jackets, coats, and other winter gear - $4.00
• Dresses & skirts - $5.00
• Items with tags still attached - $10.00 or 70% of original retail price whichever is more reasonable
• Pocketbook and purses – Depending on brand name $10 - $70
• Ties - $1.00 or bulk deals such as 10 for $6.00
• Dress shoes - $5.00
• Tennis shoes - $3.00
• Flip flops and sandals – If never worn $3.00

Books, Novels, and Textbooks – The going rate for a single paperback novel and outdated textbook is typically $1.00. A hardcover book in good shape can go for $2.00 and, and depending one how many books you have, it is often a good idea to make bulk sales at a price break to help move them.

Cassette Tapes – Many people still drive cars that have cassette players and many elderly individuals listen to opera, musicals, and classical music on cassettes. Also jam bands such as the Grateful Dead and Phish have lots of cassettes floating around that are worth a pretty penny. So there still is a market for these. 10 cents apiece for a non collectible tape. If you have a collectible tape or motivational tape then $1.00-5.00 is an ample starting price point.

Compact Disks – CD's are another dying breed due to electronic and digital media players like the iPod. However, we all have a CD player in our vehicle. $1.00 a piece with a bulk deal of 10 for $5.00 is fair, just make sure to check for scratches as you wouldn't want to purchase a disc that doesn't play or skips.

Electronics - This is the broadest category of items to price:

• VHS players - $15.00 try to sell it as a bulk deal with your VHS tapes
• DVD Players - $20.00 Also push this with the DVDs for sale
• Blue Ray Players - $40.00 although uncommon at sales they are available time to time
• Casio Style Keyboard - $25.00
• CD Players, Radios, and Alarm Clocks - $4.00
• Car Stereo – Dependent upon condition and wiring parts $15-30.00
• Printer - $10.00
• Desktop Computer – Depending on age and software - $50-150.00
• Computer Speakers - $10.00
• Landline Telephone - $5.00
• Remote Controllers - $1.00

DVDs – Depending on the age of the movie $2-3.00 is a fair starting price point. If it's brand new in the wrapper still or is a new release within the past couple of years then $4-6.00.

Household Items – As long as its in decent condition most household items are a breeze to sell at a sale as the bulk of visitors are looking for new furnishings and useful items for their home. Make sure to clean up all of these items, especially food related ones, to avoid spreading germs to the new owners.

• Pictures and Paintings - $5.00
• Center Pieces, Vases, Trays - $3.00 a piece
• A/C Units - $10.00
• Toaster - $7.00
• Coffee Maker - $12.00
• Microwave - $10.00
• George Foreman style Grills - $10.00
• Kitchen Supplies such as cereal bowls, glasses, plates, pots & pans, and silverware go for $1.00-3.00 a piece but try to sell them as a set of plates with the knife, spoon, and forks to match for $10.00.

Furniture – If you are a college student or a new homeowner who needs furniture then a garage sale is a dream come true for a bargain hunter. If you have antique items like an armoire, bookshelves, or other furniture, then you may want to seek a consignment shop opposed to a rummage sale.

• Couches - $35.00
• Kitchen Table - $25.00
• Entertainment Center - $20.00
• Desk - $15.00
• Office Chair - $5.00
• Love Seat - $15.00
• End Tables - $10.00
• Head Boards - $5.00
• Coffee Table - $10.00
• Rug - $25.00
• Dresser - $25.00
• Book Shelf - $30.00
• Patio Furniture Full Set - $45.00
• Patio and Lounge Chairs - $5.00 a piece

Sports Equipment – Whether its golf clubs, exercise equipment, or other miscellaneous sports equipment there will certainly be a market for it at a tag sale. As long as the item is not broken beyond repair you can wash off the item and place it for sale.

• Exercise Balls - $2.00
• Weights - $1.00 a set
• Treadmill - $50.00
• Exercise Bike - $40.00
• Baseball Gloves - $3.00
• Golf Club Set - $25.00 or $4.00 a club
• Dart Board - $5.00
• Pool Table - $55.00 and they haul it away!
• Soccer, foot, and basketballs - $2.00
• Hockey Sticks - $4.00
• Helmets - $2.00
• Fishing Rods - $8.00 a piece or a set of bait and tackle for $12.00

Toys – This is a tough category to price because the range of items depending on year and condition can vary. The consumer products safety commission has made it illegal to sell recalled products at a yard sale so please make sure that you are following legal guidelines for the safety of the children. Try not to sell broken toys that cannot be easily put back together. Some of the bigger brand names such as Leapfrog, Fisher Price, and Playskool usually command a small premium to off brand products.

• Post 1990 board games - $1.00 a piece (i.e. Guess Who, Life, Monopoly, etc...)
• Jenga, Skip its, and other recent decade toys - $2.00
• Fisher Price Little People fun park - $10
• Playhouses - $10
• Toddler chair - $15
• Barbie electronic shopping cart - $20
• Stroller - $10.00
• Beanie Babies - .10 a piece
• Dolls - $1.00- 15.00 depending on condition and rarity
• Power Wheels – 45.00
• Roller Skates, Ice Skates, Roller Blades, and Skateboards – 15.00
• Bicycles - $20.00
• Boys Action Figures - $10.00 for a shoe box full
• Matchbox Cars –$1.00 a piece if vintage hold onto if you can newer ones
• Changing Table - $45.00
• Crib – $50.00-100.00 depending on brand and condition
• Scooter - $10.00

Tools - As long as they still function you can sell them. Some of the bigger and more industrial items will sell well above the normal garage sale prices.

• Lawnmower (non riding) – $60.00
• Sewing Machine -$20.00
• Saw - $5.00
• Tool Box –Depending on size and condition $20-75.00
• Drills, Wrenches, and Screwdrivers - $2.00 a piece on average.

Videogames – Consoles, games, controllers, and memory cards are very popular items at garage sales and always attracts family friendly visitors. If you are selling a game that was released in the last two years and the purchase price was $50.00 or greater then 70% off or $15.00 is a fair starting point.

• Playstation 1- Console - $5.00 Games - $1.00 a piece Controllers $2.00 Memory Cards - $2.00
• Playstation 2- Console - $25.00 Games $3.00 a piece Controller $3.00
• Playstation 3 – Console – Make sure it works Games $25-35.00
• Xbox – Console - $35.00 Games – $3-5.00 a piece
• Xbox 360 – Console – Make sure it works Games - $25-35.00
• Nintendo – SNES, NES, N64 games $.50-2.00 Consoles $20-35.00 dependant on
• Condition Controllers - $3.00 a piece
• Handheld – Console - $20.00 & Games $.50 if older than 4 years $3.10.00 otherwise
• Sega – Genesis - $25.00 Dreamcast $40.00 Games - $3 a piece or 10 games for $20.00

Videotapes - VHS tapes tend to be popular at a garage sale and some shoppers like adding to their historic collection. 25-50 cents a piece is the going rate, and bulk deals such as 5 for a dollar will help sales. If you have a rare or collectible tape such as a Disney limited release you may want to consider keeping it or auctioning it off as you probably won't maximize your value at a yard sale.