Garage sale advice

Luckystar2

I think we are finally getting rid of a lot of Dd's old stuff and are looking to try a garage sale in a few weeks. Whatever doesn't sell we will just donate. I've never done a garage sale and honestly don't go to many myself so any advice? A couple questions too.

We have a ton of clothes. Like I've literally never done anything with her clothes over 7 years! I'm keeping some favs but getting rid of most. How do I set them out to make it easier? Should I do boxes for sizes? Or split up Moreso by type of clothing? I'm overwhelmed with the clothes and how to set them out. Boxes? Just set out on ground? Will not have enough table space for everything.

Prices for clothes? What would you set prices at for things like onesies, shirts, pants, dresses, shoes?

I am selling a bunch of my old books. Thoughts on prices? They are mostly popular books but older. Like a lot of Jodi Piccoult, Janet Evanovich, etc. what would you think for hardcover and paperback?

The baby gear I've beenlooking on Craigslist to get a feel for pricing so I'm ok with that.

I'm planning on posting on CL, FB and having a few sign up. Hoping we get some decent traffic.

sarahandtim

Boxes by size would probably be best. And setting them on the ground would be fine. Just clearly label sizes. I went to one sale (if you really want to get rid of stuff quickly) that charged $5 for a plastic bag and then you just filled it. It just couldn't be overflowing.

waltsgirl102503

I think boxing  by size is the best.  Then people can just look through what sizes they need and not every single shirt you have, you know?    Also, garage sale people want stuff CHEAP.  So even if it's a really nice Gymboree outfit that she only wore twice,and you paid $60 for it they're not going to want to pay even $10 for it.   So I'd do the fill a bag or entire box for X price - or price it super cheap like 50 cents a piece.  And then maybe do the really nice things as $1 or $2.

Price your books cheap, too.  Maybe $1 for a hardback and 50 cents for paperback (and do something like 50 cents each or 3 for $1).  

denalea

waltsgirl102503 said:

Also, garage sale people want stuff CHEAP.  So even if it's a really nice Gymboree outfit that she only wore twice,and you paid $60 for it they're not going to want to pay even $10 for it.  

Pretty much this.  I would say no clothing item over $2.00.  At our church sale where everything is hung and sized we don't charge over $5.00 for anything, except for formal prom/homecoming and wedding dresses which are $20 and $50 respectively.   ( Hooray for a barely used Spyder Ski coat that C won't be able to wear for 10 years but was only $4.25....retails for $200!)

I THINK you are in a different area of the country, so maybe your market is a little bit different, but I would say if you want stuff to go, cheap is the name of the game.  If you were hoping to make some $$ then maybe some online swap/sales or the consignment sales would be a better fit.  (Although I think even at the consignment sales cheap is the name of the game.)

Luckystar2

Thanks ladies! I was thinking like .50 to $1 on clothes so this sounds in line. I have some items that literally still have tags on them but I still don't expect I'll price them much more than that. I don't expect to make a ton of money but we plan to just donate anyways so figured we could see what sells first. I will think about charging a flat fee to fill up a bag or something like 10 for $5 as an option.