Garage Sale Advice Needed--again

[Mom2Connor]

Just another thought, maybe I'm in the minority here. But I garage sale a ton, I grew up doing it with my mom and I still take my toddler garage saleing with me on Friday and Saturday mornings some weekends.

I never carry that much $$ with me for it, because usually garage saleing is inexpensive stuff. I might take $20 and expect to come home with quite a bit, it'll occupy my time for a few hours sometimes. I would wager that MOST people don't carry a bunch of $$ with them, so even if people might otherwise pay for the clothes, they may not have the money and will want to haggle or are going to have to go to an ATM or something.

[Lovinmama3]

Maybe if you advertise saying you have name brand items in like new condition you might get a different crowd, but I do not know your area like you do. I am not a huge garage sale shopper (I am rarely out of the house before 11am when I'm not working, lol) but if I saw your ad for such items I'd be there! I woule list things in the $5-$8 range, even though you can get more on ebay. People will make offers if they want them too. And if you don't want to go that low then consign them.

[2DaneMama]

I'll almost never pay more than a dollar or two for a piece of clothing at a garage sale. Occasionally, if it's something EXTREMELY nice (HIGH end brand, not the ones you've mentioned) and in perfect condition--like NWT--I'll go up to $5 or sometimes $10, but rarely does that happen.

If you're looking to get about 50% of what a consignment store sells it at, why don't you just consign? That's usually around what they pay.


ETA: btw I shop garage sales a lot, and oftentimes buy designer jeans, shoes, etc at them.

[KindaCrunchyMomma]

THese threads in this section always seem to go the same way...

I'll be the dissenter. I've sold my kids' clothing at garage sales and done really well. I advertised specifically what I had (brands, size ranges, seasons) and I hung it all. People will take things out of bags to inspect, hanging it really is a much better option. I priced things similar to this: Jeans and matching top $8-10, leggings or knit pants and matching top $6-8, sweaters $6-8, jeans $5, tops $4-6, dresses $6-15 (higher end of scale if had coordinating pieces). Used shoes I price anywhere from $1 (off brand- Target, Payless, etc) to $15 (boutique). I put matching hair clips, socks, tights, whatever in baggies attached to the hanger the outfit they match.

Your casual garage sale shopper most likely will be shocked by the prices, thats why advertising it as a used clothing sale (on craiglist) is so important. I do get some walk up people that buy clothing stuff, but a lot of them come back later or call their friends on the phone to let them know what they've found

[Rainfall]

If I'm out garage-saleing for clothes, I'm looking for cheap. If I'm looking for higher-end clothes, I check Ebay and CL first.

At a garage sale, I don't pay more than $1-2 for each clothing item, regardless of brand (unless I'm there specifically loocxing for higher-end stuff and have the cash and budget to pay more). For a suit, I'd pay around $10.

[Rainfall]

If I'm out garage-saleing for clothes, I'm looking for cheap. If I'm looking for higher-end clothes, I check Ebay and CL first.

At a garage sale, I don't pay more than $1-2 for each clothing item, regardless of brand (unless I'm there specifically loocxing for higher-end stuff and have the cash and budget to pay more). For a suit, I'd pay around $10.

[ilovecookie]

Originally Posted by KindaCrunchyMomma THese threads in this section always seem to go the same way... I'll be the dissenter. I've sold my kids' clothing at garage sales and done really well. I advertised specifically what I had (brands, size ranges, seasons) and I hung it all. People will take things out of bags to inspect, hanging it really is a much better option. I priced things similar to this: Jeans and matching top $8-10, leggings or knit pants and matching top $6-8, sweaters $6-8, jeans $5, tops $4-6, dresses $6-15 (higher end of scale if had coordinating pieces). Used shoes I price anywhere from $1 (off brand- Target, Payless, etc) to $15 (boutique). I put matching hair clips, socks, tights, whatever in baggies attached to the hanger the outfit they match. Your casual garage sale shopper most likely will be shocked by the prices, thats why advertising it as a used clothing sale (on craiglist) is so important. I do get some walk up people that buy clothing stuff, but a lot of them come back later or call their friends on the phone to let them know what they've found

Thanks for the vote of confidence here!

[ilovecookie]

Thanks for all the tips and information, I read all your responses.

I think the key is marketing my sale correctly and advertising it properly. I plan on spending a nice amount on the ad, as I feel that it will draw the proper crowd, listing everything to brands, size and gear I am selling as well as price point. I am interested in moving a large amount, for a nice price, but have no interest in giving away my items.

I do think there are moms/grandmas out in my community that are very interested in high end items, for a reasonable price.

I will certainly consider consignment on items that deserve a key audience-great advice and I will have to research this more.

Thanks again.

[2DaneMama]

Can't wait to hear how it goes!! Sounds like you're planning it well and should have a lot of success. Good luck!

[Leanbh]

I'm with the other mama and I'm actually willing to pay more than $1/$2 for name brand clothing.

Last week I went to a awesome garage sale and it was a mix of high and low end items. I have a ton of clothes for my kids so I'm VERY particular about what I pick up. So I paid $3 - $5 a piece for ralph lauren sweaters, adorable gap sweater(she told me she paid $50 and it was EEEUC).

Now I did pick up a few onesies for 25c and a few pj's for $1 as I need those for LO. I won't pay more than that for those items.

I saw crocbands yesterday for $3(fitted just right for DS, but would be too small for summer).


I would also say for big items that a person will ALWAYS try to bargain, so if you really want $50 for a power wheel car, then price it at $60. Unless you really really want to get rid of things of course.......


Oh and I like to round up as in if someone buys about $12 of clothes then I might just say $10 is good.