Turn Your Clutter Into Cash With 7 Proven Garage Sale Pricing Tips

CheapismMaxwell ShukuyaUpdated April 4, 2023, 7:33 PMGarage sale yard sale old unwanted items and utensils.Basya555/istockphoto

The Art of Garage Sale Pricing

There are few things in life as satisfying as a garage sale. By the end of it, you’ll have purged your closets, decluttered your storage, and earned a sizable cash bonus. That is, if you host a successful garage sale.

The key? Pricing. Price your knickknacks and junk too high, and you’ll scare away bargain hunters.

Set the bar too low, and you’ll end the sale with peanuts. Let us take the guesswork and stress out of the equation with these seven pricing tips. Related: What Is an Estate Sale — and How To Find One Near You

pile of household things, various dishes and decorative objects at boot sale for second hand, recycling or over-consumption society at outdoor welfare Studio Grand Web/istockphoto

Use the 50-30-10 Rule

A good rule of thumb is to sell new items at 50% of their retail price, used items in good condition at 30%, and well-worn products at 10%.

Just remember that you want things to sell, so err on the side of pricing things low. Related: How To Make Money in One Hour (Without Breaking the Law)

Family having an Easter yard sale in their garden in the North East of England. They have hand made easter crafts on a table and chocolate snacks.
/p
pOne of the sellers has down syndrome. SolStock/istockphoto

Peep Other Yard Sales

If it’s garage sale season, start surveying the competition.

Observe how they’re pricing their CDs, antiques, books, etc., and think about how successful their sale is. After you check out a few, you’ll start to get a sense of your neighbors (aka customers) and their spending habits. Related: 7 Things You Should Never Buy Used, According to Redditors

Interior Of Charity Shop Or Thrift Store Selling Used And Sustainable Clothing And Household Goods Daisy-Daisy/istockphoto

Check Local Thrift Stores

When you’re selling stuff at a garage sale, you want to undercut local thrift stores like the Salvation Army and Goodwill, or else your tchotchkes won’t sell.

So take a look at nearby secondhand shops to get an idea of the upper-end of pricing, and then sell your products for less. Related: 8 Thrifting Tips You Need To Know, According to Redditors

A young woman is checking her laptop and writing on her notebook. She is the owner of an online clothing chop. FilippoBacci/istockphoto

Follow a Pricing Guide

If it’s the night before your sale and you’re running out of time, consider following a garage sale pricing guide. This printable pricing sheet from My Frugal Home provides reasonable ranges for everything from stuffed animals and dolls to power tools and large appliances. For more tips to make some extra cash, please sign up for our free newsletters.

Young girl handles the cash register at suburban yard sale David Sacks/istockphoto

Price To Sell

In thread after thread, garage sale veterans on Reddit remind readers that decluttering your home should be your first priority. “Expect less than eBay prices.

Your goal is to move your stuff, not get top dollar,” one top comment reads.

Adelaide, Australia - August 18, 2013: Browsing the ebay webpage on an ipad. eBay is one of the largest online auction and shopping websites in the world. ymgerman/istockphoto

Peruse the Internet

Speaking of eBay, you can use sites like eBay and Craigslist to price rare antiques, books, and other speciality items. And when it comes to clothing, sites like Poshmark and Depop can give you an idea of what people are willing to pay.

Shot of a fashionable Southeast Asian woman looking through second-hand clothes hanging on a clothing rack while visiting a local charity bazaar. Kanawa_Studio/istockphoto

Leave Room for Haggling

Another strategy: Price your items high so that there’s a tiny bit of room for haggling. Just be prepared for savvy shoppers who’ll never pay the initial price.

close up shot of garage sign sale Kameleon007/istockphoto

The Bottom Line

The art to pricing yard sale items is maintaining the balance between affordability and profitability.

When in doubt, price things to sell quickly, or else you might be stuck with a yard full of junk.

Originally published April 4, 2023, 7:28 PM

charles-clinkard listed on couponmatrix.ukhabitat listed on couponmatrix.uklastminute-com listed on couponmatrix.uknars listed on couponmatrix.uksugarhill-brighton listed on couponmatrix.ukwhistles listed on couponmatrix.uk
charles-clinkard listed on couponmatrix.ukCharles Clinkard is one of the most established footwear retailers in the UK, with over 90 years under their belt. Charles Clinkard is now one of the top destinations for Family Footwear stocking brands such as Clarks, Gabor, Rieker and Skechers. Whether you choose to shop online, or in one of the 34 stores, you’ll be sure to find what you are looking for and with the Charles Clinkard discount code you can enjoy fashionable footwear for less. The company was formed in 1924, when the family, then just Charles and Eveline Clinkard, opened their first shoe shop in Middlesbrough.
habitat listed on couponmatrix.ukIf you want to furnish your home there's no better destination than Habitat. For luxurious, fashionable and above all, comfortable furniture, look no further than Habitat. Providing everything from shelving, to tables, bed, lighting and sofas, Habitat is the complete store for your home. With the Habitat discount code you can enjoy the perfect home for less.
lastminute-com listed on couponmatrix.ukSometimes it is those that are organised at the very last moment that are the most fun and spontaneous of all, and that’s where lastminute.com comes into play. Whether you have mere days, weeks or the luxury of a few months to plan a holiday away, pick up a lastminute.com discount code and save yourself a fortune. This site can help you plan it all, from package deals to flights, to accommodation and more, without the need to completely raid your piggy bank!
nars listed on couponmatrix.ukNARS Cosmetics was set up by French photographer Francois Nars to offer a choice of makeup just as perfect under the scrutiny of the camera as it is in real life. NARS’s range of makeup, cleansers, toners, and colour palettes bring the glamour of fashion photo shoots to everyone, so pick up a NARS discount code and get your cosmetics for less. With a focus on quality, this chic cosmetics company has everything you need to really glow.
sugarhill-brighton listed on couponmatrix.ukSugarhill Brighton is a vibrant, creative fashion brand that’s all about having fun with clothes: if you love bold colours and prints, this one’s for you! Sugarhill Brighton’s designs are inspired by art, travel and vintage finds, and they can be yours for less with a Sugarhill Brighton discount code from Groupon. This fun clothing brand offers a 10% voucher code for new customers, 20% off for NHS staff and free delivery when you spend £40, so it’s easy to save on beautiful clothing you love. We’re always updating our list of Sugarhill Brighton offers, so check back here to find promo codes and our best picks from the sale. You’ll want to make a beeline for the Sugarhill Brighton clearance for huge discounts on stunning dresses and cosy loungewear – spend £40 to qualify for free delivery on top! Featuring sustainable fabrics and organic cotton, expressing your unique style is more guilt-free than ever. A Sugarhill Brighton dress is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. From floaty, lightweight smock dresses to shirt dresses with pockets, these dresses come in a range of colours and prints and can be dressed up or down for any occasion. This versatile wardrobe addition can be yours for less with a Sugarhill Brighton voucher code from Groupon, so check here to save money and feel like the best-dressed person in the room.
whistles listed on couponmatrix.ukDress yourself to the nines in the timeless womenswear from Whistles and add a touch of understated glamour to your everyday look. Snap up a Whistles discount code from us to revamp your wardrobe with beautifully-designed pieces, created to suit the modern woman’s lifestyle. With an emphasis on quality and longevity, the Whistles collection offers apparel that’s built to last. Whether you’re looking for a fierce look for the office or a statement piece for Saturday night, Whistles will cover your back.