Hello Everyone,
As a full-time grad student and a mom of a toddler I have realized I need some extra money and ironically have a lot of stuff/junk I don't want in my house anymore. I have decided to have a yard sale next weekend. Here is the problem: I have never had one and never even been to one before so I am not sure what to sell the stuff for. I have a lot of things including a full-size Dirt Devil vaccuum that has been used maybe a dozen times, some bookshelves, a baby swing, women's clothes, etc. What do these things normally go for? I really appreciate your help with this so I can clean out my house and have money for Christmas! Thank you!
Come out to our Sale this coming weekend at North Davis Chruch of Christ, just off I-30 in Arlington. It will give you and idea as to what things are selling for regarding baby items. Go to the website at www.jbfsale.com/arlington to view full address and times. It is an option for you in selling yhou toddler items in the future.
R.
As a resale junky (buying and selling) I'd have to see items to better give you an idea of what to sell them for. I think you best bet would be to look on Craigslist or Ebay for the items you have and see what they are going for on there. At the least you'll get an idea. Really it depends on brand and condition of the item.
Also, do try to stick with the first weekend of the month (which I believe you are doing). Personally, I have the money and am more willing to shop at the beginning of the month when we get paid (once a month). By the end of the month, as much as I want to go garage sale shopping, I am short on money and not as willing to spend or can't.
Cheap. Dirt cheap. I shop at yard sales to find killer deals. You may want to put a slightly higher price tag on some items, but for the most part you're practically giving your stuff away. My best friend has a yard sale twice a year and she makes a lot of extra money doing it. I think for clothing, nothing over $1. Furniture (depending on the size and quality) nothing over $25. Baby swing, $5-$10. Vaccuum, $5-$10. These are the types of bargains I look for when "garage saling." And usually I try to make deals with the sellers...offering to buy a whole stack of magazines for $5 instead of paying $0.50 a piece for 15 of them. Or I have offered $25 for a coffee table and two end tables instead of paying $10 a piece. So get ready for that type of thing.
Oh, and since this is your first time at this, be sure to check with the city to see if you need a permit. I think they're usually $7 a day, but it's way more $$ if you get fined.
A good rule of thumb is to sell items for ten cents on the dollar. That's pretty much what people are willing to pay. If it's a big, expensive item, you can raise the price a bit, with the understanding that someone may want to negotiate a lower price.
You could also set up a "$1.00 Table", where everything is a dollar. Be SURE to mark everything otherwise. People generally won't buy an item if it's not clearly priced.
Also, carry your cash in a fanny pack that is with you all the time. You'll also need a permit. They're free where I live, but in some cities you might have to pay.
Make sure you check with your city about where and how many signs you're allowed to place. Make sure people know where you are.
I hope you have a great first yard sale. It's something we do about once a year and now my kids are at the age where they pretty much run it for me! Of course, they get a cut of the profits:)
D. L
