Orange County Garage Sales - What to Charge???

You might want to stick with e-bay on the more expensive and less used items. I have heard 10% of what you paid new when doing a yard sale for it to go. Good luck

Having never been to a California garage sale, I could be wrong but in my experience people come to a garage sale for screaming deals. I think it is a rare thing for people to spend larger amounts at a garage sale. My advice is to sell the higher price items on ebay or craigslist (preferably craigslist since there are no fees) and only put them in the garage sale if they don't end up selling that way.

Garage sale-ing has really changed. Let me add to what other people already told you.

My friends and I used to have garage sales all the time when our kids were small. People held them for 3 days, all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Then we took the left overs to the swap meet and got rid of the rest of it. Most people only hold garage sales on Saturday mornings these days and swap meets are almost impossible to get a space at, due to the amount of dealers who rent the spaces well in advance, for long time periods.

In this rough economy there is a glut of sales, so people pick and choose the sales they will go to. It's hard getting to very many before they are over for the weekend. So people rely on descriptions & pictures of items for sale, and shorter travel distances. Neighborhood sales draw more people as do rummage sales. You'll pick up more customers if you put an ad in Craigslist and advertise that you will be selling ALL day. Then they can shop you in the afternoon. The more huge signs you put out with date/open time, that are able to be read from a moving car, the more drop-in customers you will have. It's important to have them on weekends that are on or just after paydays as well. (the 15th is better than the 1st- rent and mortgage payments take up most of a family's $$)

A large amount of people who are dealers of various sorts, and want to resell your items at a big profit, will give you some really low ball offers. Don't be insulted, they are trying to make a living, but be aware, you don't have to accept those offers. People in general like to haggle a little bit, not everyone, but plenty do. Many people are trying to make ends meet by going to sales instead of buying new. If someone gives you an offer, don't be afraid to smile and give them a counter offer. Have fun with it.

Finally...one last thing- I am blessed, I have a home, job, food to eat and clean clothes to wear, things to sell. I always see at least one person at my sale that is very needy. That's the person who quietly counts what little change they have and buys the cheapest thing. I smile and load their arms with similar items they can use, like some clothes, and give them my biggest smile. It's a little thing that brings joy to us both. I've been paid in hugs, tearful smiles, and looks of astonishment. Such makes the world a happier place.

Good luck with your sale.

Hi M.,
Friends of mine recently took some of their big ticket items to one of those ebay sell-for-you places (there are many all over town) and were happy with the experience. basically, you just provide a little information and drop the items off. They do the rest and send you a check in about a week. It sounds like this may be the way for you to go on some of the things you have that are worth more than the typical garage sale shopper is willing to spend. Of course the company selling for you is going to take a cut of the profits for their work on your behalf but it sounds like you'd still make more money than you would if you tried to sell those items at a garage sale. Also, going that route will save you from having to deal with the headache of selling it yourself! Craigslist can be great but be aware that you may have to deal with flaky or unscrupulous people and it can be time consuming if you have a lot of items to sell. Whatever you choose, I hope it turns out well for you... all the best!
S.

If you're looking to get rid of your stuff quickly and not have to worry about it anymore, then sell it at the garage sale, but don't expect to get anywhere close to what it is worth. If you want to sell it for what it is worth and actually make money off of it, then sell it on Craigslist or Ebay.
We participated in a garage sale last year and I'd never do it again. One lady even told me I should be selling our stuff on Craigslist so we could actually get some money for it. People are looking for ridiculous deals at garage sales--they don't care what your stuff is really worth, as long as you let it go for really cheap. So, it's not about pricing as much as it is about how much you're willing to bargain with the shoppers. (I'd save the big ticket items for internet sales).
Good luck!

Do not sell high priced items at a garage sale! You will not get what you think they are worth. Then when you settle on a cheaper price you will kick yourself later. People go to garage sales for DEALS. They are not usually looking for a nice luggage set or Waterford crystal (and if they are they are looking for people who don't know any better to sell those high priced items cheap). Just sell clothes and knick knacks and unwanted baby stuff!

Hello M.. I have yard/garage sales about twice a year, and I hold them at my friend's house (since my association doesn't allow it), which is in a nice neighborhood. I have found that you really can't ask for much these days at these sorts of sales. I had one back in July and only made about $20.00 (I usually at LEAST clear $100.00). People like to haggle, believe me, and they don't want to pay more than a couple of dollars for things, even less if it's worth less in their opinion. I wanted to get rid of stuff, so the majority of my stuff went for 25 cents or 50 cents. I had baby items (car seat, changing table, bassinet, clothes, etc) that no one even looked at. Actually, I had one person look at the changing table and when they asked how much it was, and I said $30.00, they walked away. The pad alone was almost $30.00 and the pad covers (which I was throwing in for free!!!) cost $19.99 and $14.99 each, so I was really losing money. I had tables, lamps, all sorts of things, but no takers. The majority of people that came didn't buy anything, but I had a few older gentlemen ask if I had any old watches or tools. Apparently these are big sellers. My suggestion to you is to sell anything of importance (ex - big ticket items) either on craig's list or in the recycler or something similar. You just aren't going to get what you want for them, I don't think. I could be wrong of course, but if you want to make money and not just solely get rid of the stuff, I strongly suggest trying to sell them elsewhere first. BEST of luck to you :)
btw... do not put price stickers on anything, just let people ask how much you want for those items. People tend to look at a sticker price and if they don't like it, and think it is set in stone, will walk away (this is for the non-hagglers!).

Good idea, supplied by a friend who had 4 garage sales in a single summer:

Don't Price Anything

People will pick up thing you think belong in the Free Box and offer you $12, but if priced will shy away from offering you $2 on something you have priced at $4--and walk away without buying anything.

Pricing takes a long time, is really, really hard to do well, and kills sales.

To make lots of money, eliminate the things you actually sell (before your sale) on Ebay for more than $80 (hard to get more than that for anything at a garage sale, people just don't expect to be doing that kind of shopping there), and say 'yes' to everything else offered.

Do you want to keep the stuff? Don't haggle if you ever think it will lose you an opportunity to swap cash for stuff you don't want (or wouldn't be trying to sell, right?)

I would sell the bigger and nicer items on Craigslist. Usually people don't want to spend much at a garage sale. You can "ask" the amount you are wanting but chances are you won't get it. I think Craigslist is a much better place for the nicer items. Good luck!!

It's funny you mention the area of South OC, more the reason to overprice! LOL People who have money don't like to spend it. You just have to play it by ear. People will make offers. You definately can't take what you spent into account. People go to garage sales to find bargains. If you have department store prices they probably won't buy. I think Waterford, Bacaratt, and luggage are better off on ebay or Craig's list because people go there expecting to find a bargain for what they are getting, but not just a bargain period. Hope that makes sense, it did in my head. LOL I remember when we had a garage sale and I had a brand new bottle of men's cologne I paid 60 bucks for and someone scoffed at me when I said 5 buck. Garage sale shopper can be really annoying sometimes. Good luck

Craigslist all the way for the good stuff. You will never get what it's worth at a garage sale. People who shop garage sales want to pay pennies, not dollars. I've sold tons of stuff on CL and have made lots of money.

I live in La Verne. There is a lady in my area that you can give your belongings to, and she'll sell them on ebay. You would be shocked at what some things sell for. We can not have garage sales. So I list nice items on ebay....and make good money. The lady here that does it...does all the work selling, shipping ,packaging, and takes 30%. Let me know if you would like her info.

You should sell the expensive stuff on Craigs List or Ebay, so that you aren't giving it away! Keep the lower priced stuff for your garage sale. I personally don't like having garage sales, beccause people expect to get your things for pennies, even though they are in perfectly good condition. It also depends on where you are located!

You deserve to be paid closer to what the items are worth, rather than give them away at a garage sale:)

Good luck,
C. Funk
www.bellysprout.com

Yesterday I helped out at a garage sale in West Covina. I was surprised how little customers are willing to spend. I'm not sure if its the economy but we were parting with quality clothing, dishware, and small appliances for rock bottom prices. It was sad to see. Close to the end of the day, we were selling shoes and articles of clothing for 50 cents each and then people would want a discount after picking up a few items. I would have rather not wasted my time and dumped everything off at the Goodwill!

craigslist is the way to sell things. I love this site. Good luck.
Sue

I just had a garage sale and sold things for no more than $20. but most was $1-$5. People love a deal and will buy more when the prices are low. I made over $300 dollars in one morning. Big ticket items I sold on Ebay and craigslist but not everything sold. Good luck.

I would try to sell the higher priced items in the classifieds or on craigslist or even ebay. You will wind up being insulted at what people try to pay for these items. We tried this with a garage sale once and while we had most things priced at $1 and below, we had comments like "where are the 'garage sale' prices?" Um, look around you, idiot. We had a perfectly nice, working DVD player for $10 and a woman flipped out on me over that. I told her "then keep moving and don't buy it!" It was seriously like 3 things that were priced a bit higher. Sell what you want to sell cheap and make a few bucks and try to sell the big ticket items elsewhere. Just my $0.02.

I agree with Valerie. Sell the "good" stuff on Craigslist - I have had good luck with people responding quickly to ads (especially with pictures!) on nice, but reasonably priced items. Garage sale shoppers can be cut-throat, offering much lower prices. Garage sales are great for getting rid of "stuff." You might get 25-50 cents for books or per piece of baby clothing. Salvation Army will come pick up at a lot of locations, so if it really isn't worth your time, you can donate it (they leave a little slip, you estimate the value, and it is a tax write off).

Good luck!

I second the other ladies. Any big ticket items stick them on Craig's list.. it's free and you'll get more money from it! :) Good luck!

you'd get better visibility and money off Craig's List. If you have a digital camera, a computer, and internet, you can figure it out. Its free and easy. Post pi cutes and you will have the most success getting top dollar. Then, if it doesn't sell put it in the garage sale at garage sale prices. What I would do is post those items on Craigs list and if you get people interested, have them come to the garage sale to look at them and buy them since it is irritating to arrange for strangers to look at your stuff in your home.

You may live in a good garage selling neighborhood but I have only had bad experiences. My husband had a garage sale this weekend with all kinds of vintage items and some kid's furniture and a maclaren stroller that was in pretty good shape. Nothing sold. Everyone wanted to pay $1 for things or less. How much for this dresser? $20. I give you $2. I'm serious. I also had a garage sale once in Yorba Linda and someone into the garage and stole my dad's tools. I just never like garage sales so I just give my stuff away to the goodwill or friends but I have heard people say they made $400. I wish you luck.

I would never sell big ticket items at a garage sale. I only sell the junk at a garage sale, and the good stuff on ebay or Craigslist. The luggage will never sell at that price, maybe $50 tops, if that. Take some time and do ebay!