Realistic Garage Sale Tips For A Successful and Profitable Sale

Whether you have an annual yard sale or occasionally join your neighborhood sale, decluttering and making a little extra money always feels great. Here are 16 easy garage sale tips that can help you save time and money!

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#1 Display Items Close To The Road

Some people like to drive by and check out yard sales before deciding whether to walk up and check it out. Take as much stuff from the garage as you can and display it in the driveway for those lookie-lous.

PRO TIP: Put your best stuff in the driveway to attract buyers!

#2 Sell Things In Sets

It is great when people buy multiple things at your garage sale. If you can package toys, books, baby clothes, and household items in sets, it helps people believe they are getting a good deal!

#3 Use Garage Facebook Groups for Advertising

Ask to join your local garage sale Facebook groups two weeks before your garage sale. Some groups require admin approval, so give yourself enough time to join.

Look at other postings, make a unique graphic, and post information critical to your sale. Be honest about what your sale is offering, and let everyone know that things are priced to sell.

#4 Keep It Organized

Garage salegoers are looking for specific things. Some people search for housewares, some for kids’ stuff, and others for random collectibles. Organizing items and grouping them by category will make it easier for those people to see what you have (and hopefully buy more).

We love getting rid of kid stuff, so make sure the clothes are also by the toys. Kids grow out of things so quickly that those items always sell quickly.

#5 Make It Easy To See It All

No one wants to go through a box of random kid clothes or other items. Pull out the clothes and try to organize them by size. Using all available space on tables, floors and driveway will allow people to easily walk around and check out if they are interested in your items.

#6 Use Small Price Stickers

If you have many similar items, placing a sign near those items will work—for example, 3/$2 for books or all clothing for $1.

However, small circle stickers work best for pricing individual items. People like to know how much you are expecting for an item. If there isn’t a price tag, they might skip over it to avoid asking.

#7 Have An Organized Money System

Whether you have a Fanny pack for extra cash or a shoebox with many singles and quarters, having an easy and organized way to give out change is a must. Make sure you have more singles and quarters than you think you will need. If you have an easy way to accept credit cards or electronic transfers, you could also post that.

#8 Work With A Partner

Having someone else in your driveway is always a good safety measure. We like participating in our neighborhood sales for this exact reason. Make sure all other doors are also locked. I’d always be safe than sorry.

#9 Post Signs Where People Will See Them

On the morning of your sale day, place sale signs near high-traffic intersections, the end of your street, or signs within your development. The more clearly you can label your signs, the better.

Consider saving old yard signs that you can repurpose for your yard or garage sale.

#10 Be Willing To Barter

We aren’t saying give items away, but most people expect a deal when coming to a garage sale. Our favorite way to barter is to group more items in a group sale so that you get rid of more items and make a little extra money.

#11 Post Items In Online Marketplaces

Post pictures online once everything is pulled out in your driveway or garage. Be careful; some groups do not allow you to advertise your garage sale and sell individual items simultaneously.

Get our tips and learn Facebook marketplace acronyms before creating your first listing.

#12 Don’t Overlook Thursday Mornings

In our area, Thursday mornings are the busiest for successful garage sales. During the Spring and Summer months, groups of regular garage salegoers are always looking for steals and deals. Opening the earliest in your area can pay off. Even a half hour early will help you attract those regular shoppers.

#13 Don’t Bring Those Unsold Items Back In Your Home 

You worked hard to clean your home’s basement, attic space, and other areas. While we all like making more money, sometimes it is best to donate the rest. Several charities in our area will even come to pick up items in your driveway.

#14 Have Extra Bags

Have extra grocery bags or boxes for people buying a lot of stuff. Also, if you have a lot of clothing or other small items, you could run a “fill the bag” sale to help liquidate your garage sale items.

Make it as easy as possible for people to take your stuff. This could also include helping people load items into their cars.

#15 Do Some Research On Your Items

If a collectible seller or many people are interested in an item, you might want to look it up before selling. You would be surprised to find things worth a lot of money.

Bonus Tip: Have A Free Box

As your sale goes on, you might realize people aren’t going to buy something, or you need to get rid of those tiny toys or other items. Place those in a free box (clearly labeled) near your cash table. You will be amazed at what people will take when it is free!