Hosting a garage sale can be fun and profitable. Since it's not enjoyable to watch customers walk off without buying and ending up with nearly as much stock as you started with, here are some tips that can help you price items to sell fast:
1. A general rule of thumb for selling used goods is to ask a third of their original cost. For example, if you want to sell living room drapes that cost $60 when new, ask $20 at your garage sale, as long as they are in good condition. Make sure they’re clean and perhaps even covered in plastic if you have some.
2. Some items may fetch a higher rate. Antiques, novelty items, or rare objects from around the world may be worth more than the going used rate. Call the library or pertinent association to get an idea of what such items are worth. You may want to group them separately from other merchandise and label them with a description of their unique value.
3. Sell certain things at a lower price. Slightly worn clothing, scratched furniture, commonplace tools, and other such things may not be worth a third of their original price. You can mark them with a price tag for an amount that you think may sell or you can arrange similar items in a separate area of the garage under a large "Reduced" or "Discount Items" sign.
4. You may benefit from a "Dirt Cheap" shelf. Pricing small or less valuable commodities like leftover gift wrap, spools of thread, or a pan without a handle (good for camping) at a quarter apiece will put visitors in the buying mood and save you the trouble of hauling unsold items to the thrift store. Add a few items for the neighborhood kids to buy, like model cars or doll clothing.
5. Consider adding a "free" bin. Old story books with a missing page or crayon writing, torn sheets, stained dish towels, and other kinds of miscellany may be useful for patching, quilting, or quieting shoppers' young children. Customers may think highly of you for giving things away, too, and be more apt to buy additional wares.
6. Offer value for customers' money. Wash up toys and clothes and arrange them attractively on tables and shelves. Cover the workbench with a sheet to make it a neater display area for selling items. Match pairs or pieces of things, like canisters or book series, so they're easy to find. Try electrical appliances first to be sure they work.
Taking a few extra steps to price items fairly and to be generous in giving away a few freebies will bring back repeat business for your next garage sale. Mark items clearly and don't dispute prices on small things with shoppers. It's better to give away something and retain a customer's good will than to hold your price and not be able to sell it. Low prices mean that you'll clear your home of unwanted commodities and make a few dollars at the same time.
