What Are The Hottest Yard Sale Items? What Sells Best?
First, I'll share with you what I, personally, have experienced in terms of what sells and what doesn't at yard sales.
Then, we'll see how my list compares with what "the experts" say.
Who Buys What?
I've found that guys tend to gravitate toward tools, movies, sports stuff, CDs & DVDs, office equipment, computer stuff, and yard items.Some of the more unusual things that ladies will scoop up are: unused (or slightly used) health & beauty products, crafty stuff, kids books & toys.
Teenagers like old cell phones (I sold 5 of 'em for $1 to $3 apiece). And you may be able to get another 50 cents for each "attachment" (AC charger, headset, car charger, belt clip, etc.) but I usually just include those in the price.
In general...
- Larger, higher-quality items definitely bring crowds to your yard sale. Especially sofas and other pieces of furniture, as well as used lawn care items like mowers, trimmers, and leftover home building & repair items (bricks, stonework, old chandeliers & light fixtures).
Items for kids, toddlers & babies are also big sellers! As are pregnancy-related items, new baby things, and wedding stuff.- Magazines (even for 25 cents apiece, even for recent issues) don't sell well at all. These are best donated to a nursing home, hospital, or doctor's office. Or, recycle 'em and pass them onto friends or Freecyclers!
- Regional items (from other regions) don't usually do well at yard sales. For example, I've been searching for "that needle in the haystack" for years now -- waiting patiently for an Indiana University grad to buy up all of my old IU alumni memorabilia. They're few & far between here in Tennessee! Same with some excellent Florida travel guides that are worth a pretty penny. Few people around here are planning trips to Florida in the coming months. Much like with other collectibles, it takes that one special person to find value in such an item.
- Clothes... unless you're willing to sell items of clothing for as little as 50 cents apiece, don't even bother. Your clothes may be worth much more than that, but let's face it, if they don't sell, you're probably just going to donate 'em (for FREE) to a local charity, right?
You can find clothes for a dime a dozen at yard sales, and sometimes in better shape at places like Goodwill & Salvation Army stores. Few people are actually looking for clothes at yard sales. The sooner you come to grips with that, the better. That's why your best bet, if you really want to move some clothes is to price all clothing at rock-bottom prices. Period.
What The Experts Say The Top Sellers Are:
1. Clothes (especially children's clothes)
2. Power Tools (saws, drills, sanders)
3. Sporting Equipment (golf clubs, workout equip.)
4. Bicycles (especially ones ready to ride)
5. Electronics (stereos, computers)
6. Toys (not broken)
7. Household Items (refrigerators, irons, dishes)8. Furniture (chairs, tables, beds)
9. Books (especially children's books)
10. Gardening Equipment
11. Jewelry (watches, rings)
12. Miscellaneous (wall hangings, quilts, bedding)
Source: "This Way To The Garage Sale" by Don Long
Clean Linens
Clean Clothing
Shoes & Boots (in new or excellent condition)
Glassware, Dishes
Flower Pots
Tools & Power Tools
Appliances
Furniture
Toys & Games
Bikes, Skates, etc.
Electronics
Picture Frames
Clocks, Jewelery (costume)
Books, Tapes, Records
Source: "Garage Sale Seminar" by Jenn Callum (aka "the Garagesale Guru")
The Hottest Yard Sale Items Are Actually Shade & Shelter
Shade is a hot commodity at most yard sales -- especially after Noon! Most of your visitors have been going from yard sale to yard sale, so anyone who arrives at your garage sale in the afternoon hours is likely to be hot, tired, and thirsty!If there's any way to move some of your items into the shade, those items will be looked at longer. Just the same, know that people will tend to congregate inside your garage (if there's enough room) -- just to get out of the hot sun for a few minutes!
Also... should it start to rain (especially if it's a sudden downpour!) during your yard sale, you can bet people will try to cram into your garage, seeking shelter from the rain. And if you have a porch, they'll hang out there too. And kids will even duck under your tables -- just to avoid getting wet. This is yet another reason, why it's a good idea to have snacks & water for sale... many appreciate having a way to pass the time. And the "freebies" become very popular during this time, as well.
Continue reading my 14-part series:
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How To Make The Most Money Possible At Your Yard Sale
I have do disagree about the clothes. They have always been a huge seller at my sales. Ive sold clothes in excellent or gently used for $1.00-$5.00 and they fly out of my garage every year. Now that Ive been doing sales for so long I get repeat customers who come specifically for my clothes.
I also to tables of clothes (I have a large quantities) that I do for .50 cents each w/ buy 2 get one free. At the end of the day I do fill-a-bag for $3, which pretty much clears off my tables. Last year in clothes alone I made $600, again I have large quantities that I gather from friends and family.
I pull out all the ripped, stained, etc and put them in a box marked 'free for rags' and my box is always empty by the end of the day.
I post a sign that says 'All sales final' which ended a lot of problems I had in years past which was people knocking on my door as late as 10pm at night wanting their money back because something didn't fit. I even considered rigging a try-on area but thought I might be opening up myself to issues with theft, etc.
Im getting ready for our community sale in July, and this year Im catering to back to school shoppers, so Im making sure I have plenty of juniors sizes this time around, which are displayed on several racks.
Great tips. I'll be heading out to our first yard sales of the year tomorrow, can't wait.
We are considering having a yard sale and many of our items are childrens clothing from newborn to size 5T, however I still have baby items. We have a very nice, hardly used Eddie Bauer Stroller / car seat combo, what should we start the pricing at and what is the minumum we should accept? I also have a stand alone front facing car seat, price? HELP! New to yard sale pricing..
How do value crystals, pottery, brass and copper items?
Also, I would like to sell off cosmetic containers and bottles?
Will handmade soaps sell?
Thanks,
Joan
These are wonderful tips! I'm gearing up for my first rummage sale this weekend (indoor community sale).
Also...I'm an IU grad. Go Hoosiers!