If you’re considering having a yard sale soon, then you’re probably wondering if the items that you’re THINKING about selling would even sell or not.
I mean who wants to go to the trouble of setting up a yard sale, if relatively few people even want the type of the things you’re selling. Right?
Determine Which Items You’d Like To Sell
So, before we go any further…
I recommend that you spend a day (or at least HALF a day) looking through each room of your house for items that you could potentially sell. Either write them down on a list, or just make a mental note of them. You’ll use this list as a starting place to get a better idea of the sellable items you currently have on hand.
You’ll also be able to figure out your potential earnings from this list if you DO decide to sell the items in a yard sale. (See the article in this series about “pricing yard sale items.”)
Oh, and don’t forget to check the garage, the basement, the attic, and any items that you may have in storage!
It usually takes me an entire day to do this — because I’m typically cleaning out closets and decluttering at the same time that I’m looking for items to sell. It may not take you that long.
I’ll just wait right here… while humming the tune to Jeopardy.
Okay, so now that you have a general idea of the various items you have on hand to sell, let’s see if those are the same types of items that people eagerly scoop up quickly at yard sales…
First, I’ll share with you what I, personally, have experienced in terms of what sells the best at yard sales... and what doesn’t.
Then, we’ll see how my list compares with what “the experts” say.
What Items Sell Best At Yard Sales?
Based on my own experience, this will give you an idea of who buys what at garage sales…
I’ve found that MEN tend to gravitate toward:
- Larger, higher-quality items — These definitely bring crowds to your yard sale, especially men!
- Movies and music — including CDs and DVDs
- Sports stuff — If you think someone *might* collect it, then then someone probably does!
- Furniture — Especially sofas and other pieces of furniture in decent condition,
- Office equipment — Printers, office chairs, phones, headsets
- Leftover home building & repair items — like bricks, stonework, old chandeliers, and light fixtures.
- Computer stuff — anything “techy” and gadgets
- Lawn care items — especially mowers, trimmers, pressure washers, and garden tools.
- Appliances — Even old refrigerators (everyone wants one for their garage these days). And old freezers (garage freezers are “a thing” too because pet parents keep their dog’s frozen foods, filled Kong toys, and other frozen dog treats in them).
Some unusual things that WOMEN like to scoop up include:
- Unused (or slightly used) health & beauty products — I was shocked to learn this firsthand when I tried it!
- Wedding stuff — To help brides-to-be plan for their big day.
- Household items for kids, toddlers & babies — Especially new baby things.
- Pregnancy-related items — Anything that is useful for moms-to-be.
- Crafty stuff — Everything from homemade cardmaking and scrapbooking supplies to empty jars, bottles, baskets, and other containers for DIY crafts.
- Kids books & toys — Because it’s smart to buy these items used instead of paying full price for the types of toys your child will quickly outgrow.
- Pet supplies — Got any toys that your dog doesn’t play with? What about dog beds, harnesses, and collars that no longer fit your pet? Sell them! Pet parents are eager to scoop these items up. Especially things that a first time pet owner would need. Even half-chewed dog bones, half full bags of dog food, and old dog toys sold quickly at my most recent sale!
I’ve noticed that TEENAGERS like:
- Old cell phones — I sold 5 of them for $1 to $5 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.
- Sneakers — Limited edition sneakers from brands like Nike, Adidas, and Jordan are highly sought after by teens today.
- Vintage clothing — Teenagers often have a unique and retro style. Think classic rock T-shirts and vintage jeans.
- Cheap jewelry & accessories — Especially costume jewelry, elastic bracelets, and stylish sunglasses.
- DIY Kits — For creating custom items like jewelry and art.
- Vinyl records — As a retro trend, many teens are collecting vinyl records of their favorite musicians.
- “Spa” type stuff — Everything from bath bombs and nail polish to scented candles and lotions.
- Modern collectibles — Funko Pop! figures, as well as collectible pins and patches.
What Items Do NOT Sell Well At Yard Sales?
If you’re hoping to have a successful yard sale where you make lots of money, then I just want to let you know that you probably shouldn’t count on these items having much of an effect on your bottom line.
I’ve found that these items are HARD to sell at a garage sale:
- Books — The fact is people like what they like in terms of the “type” of books they read. And they know where to find good deals on them! So, you’ve probably got 1 or 2 certain types of books for sale. (Based on the general topics that you like — maybe mysteries and/or romance novels). And now you’re crossing your fingers that someone else who also likes those same types of books will visit your sale AND be looking for more books to read AND decide to buy one or more of your books. See how many stars have to line up just perfectly for you to sell just ONE book? Kids books on the other hand… Yes, those do sell well at yard sales!
- Magazines — Not even for 25 cents apiece AND for recent issues! Magazines just don’t sell well at all. They are best donated to a nursing home, hospital, or doctor’s office. Or, recycle ’em and pass them onto friends or your local Buy Nothing group.
- Regional items (from other regions) — These 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 — and if they do, they’ll just research what they need to know online. As with other collectibles, it takes that one special person to find any real value in these items.
- Clothes for adults — Unless you’re willing to sell items of clothing for as little as 50 cents apiece, then don’t even bother. I realize that your clothes are probably worth much more than just 50 cents — 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 purposefully looking for clothes at garage sales. The sooner you come to grips with that, the better. That’s why your best bet, if you really want to move some adult clothes is to price all clothing at rock-bottom prices. Period. (The same is true for adult shoes that are NOT brand names.)
What The Experts Say The Hot Yard Sale Items Are
1. Clothes (baby and children’s clothes)
2. Power Tools (saws, drills, sanders)
3. Sporting Equipment (golf clubs, workout equipment)
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 (clippers, trimmers, potting tools)
11. Jewelry (watches, rings)
12. Miscellaneous (wall hangings, quilts, bedding)
Source: “This Way To The Garage Sale” by Don Long
1. Clean Linens
2. Clean Clothing
3. Shoes & Boots (in new or excellent condition)
4. Glassware & Dishes
5. Flower Pots
6. Tools & Power Tools
7. Appliances
8. Furniture
9. Toys & Games
10. Bikes, Skates, etc.
11. Electronics
12. Picture Frames
13. Clocks
14. Jewelry (costume)
15. Books, Tapes & Records
Source: “Garage Sale Seminar” by Jenn Callum (aka “the Garagesale Guru”)
It looks like these garage sale experts and I largely agree on what sells the best at yard sales … EXCEPT for when it comes to clothing.
For some reason, I have never in my life had good luck selling clothes at a garage sale.
YES, my clothing items have always been clean.
NO, my clothing items have never been children’s clothes.
So perhaps that’s the biggest takeaway here… Children’s clothing CAN be a big seller at your yard sale — especially if they’re clean (or brand new), and bonus points if the tags are still on!
The Hottest Yard Sale Items: 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 during your yard sale (especially if it’s a sudden downpour), you can bet people will try to cram into your garage to seek shelter from the rain. And if you have a porch, they’ll hang out there too. Kids will even duck underneath your tables to avoid getting wet.
This is yet another reason, why it’s a good idea to have snacks & water for sale. People appreciate having a way to pass the time when they’re inconvenienced. The “freebies” become very popular during this time, as well.
Continue reading articles from my “Successful Yard Sale Guide For Sellers“:
