How are yard sale prices most effectively set?

Question

If one is selling new with tags clothing, is the pricing different from used clothing in excellent condition?

How does one price expensive items - track lighting that was $2K new or a lighting fixture that was $400 new?

Hardcover books always $2? No matter how expensive originally?

Children's toys and games? Used but in excellent condition sheet sets for twin beds?

We need to raise as much money as possible, but don't want to lose a single sale through overpricing.

I'd appreciate any tips for maximizing our return on our yard sale, which will be in our driveway as part of a neighborhood wide yard sale. Our goal is to raise money for our dog's $500/mo drug habit. (Congestive heart failure and endocarditis)

Thanks for your time and ideas.

Just FYI, no insurance available for this; dogs have the preexisting clause in their insurance, too.

Thanks.

Answer 1

The best way to make money at a yard sale is to forget about how much you paid for something. It doesn't matter to the bargain hunter. If you have something you paid $400.00 for and you think you would to get $150 then a yard sale is not the best place to sell it. Put an ad in the paper for items which are over $100.00

Here $2.00 is a lot for a hard cover book. They usually sell for $1 and paperbacks 10 cents. Nothing worse then having to carry boxes of books back after a sale. Yes there are exceptions but I don't think I have ever seen a hard cover book sell for more than $5.00 at a yard sale.

Consider combinging items. If you have tons of books make sure you give them a deal like 10 for $1.00 (paperbacks) It's better than trying to get 10 cents each book. You'll get rid of them faster.

If you start your sale at 8:00 and by noon you haven't sold much then you know your prices are too high. It's also a good idea to wait until noon or half way through the sale to lower your prices. I have a rule that there is no negotiating before 12:00 o'clock. There is the exception for the person who may have bought a number of things from you.

Go to some yard sales in your area to get an idea of what you should do.

Answer 2

For your expensive items, a yard sale is not the answer. Yard/garage salers are looking for bargains and want to spend as little as possible. Many are shopping for things to resell also. straight up selling is your best bet. Advertise in the paper or on store bulletin boards. I know you will be insulted by some prices you will be offered. Simple answer to yard sale pricing is about 30% of new price. Books will be lucky to get a dollar each. Sorry, thats just the way it is.

Answer 3

A better goal might be to raise money for dog health insurance.

Yard sales don't raise much money... if you have stuff that is in excellent condition and was expensive to begin with, perhaps a better route for you would be a auction, or house TAG sale.

Those routes raise more money then yard sales.

people coming to yard sales are looking to spend a quarter!
Honest.

We did it once and man was I upset!
They bargain and beg, and then walk away.

I donated alot instead of selling cheap.

But my goal was to unload, not to raise $, however I wasn't going to sit back and be insulted either.

Good luck with whatever you do, and to you and your dog.

:)

Answer 4

Around here (Iowa) yardsales are cheaply priced...they are for getting rid of your junk not to make money (that is around here) On items you think are worth more put your price or OBO so your customers can possibly bargin for it and they wont just leave because the prices are high--im sure your things are worth it though. You are good people for taking such good care of your dog and I wish you the best luck....also we have a website called buy_sell_trade for items in our area you can post your things on there that dont sell at the yardsale and make more money! GL and God Bless