Yard Sales - How Do You Price?

Question

We are going to hold a yard sale on Saturday and I really don't know what price to place on items.
Clothes.
Books.
Shelves.
Vases.
Kitchen gadgets

What is a fair price and should I have a sticky label on things with a set price?

If I priced almost everything a dollar would that bring people in?

Answer 1

You should price certain items that you really want to get rid of the cheapest.

Also, people will want to bargain so if you have lots of time, then you can mark certain things a little higher, and then have then haggle the price down.

If you are selling a lot books, then you can always have a full bag, and sell them by the bag. Selling items in the multiples will make your sales go faster.

Answer 2

people expect low prices at a yard sale but they do want to know what you're thinking of charging for the item so do price them. It makes it easier on customers and you. Some people don't feel like bargaining (too shy or don't want to hassle or whatever) and if the price is there then it makes it easier for them. Do be prepared to negotiate. but a lot of ppl make the mistake of charging too much for yard sales. If you want a higher price then go through a consignment shop. Organize everything so ppl can see what you have. Make it cheap. No more than $5 or $10 depending on the item. Be prepared to have an outlet available via extension cord or whatever so ppl can see if things work. Yes to the sticky labels or masking tape with a price or a shelf or something that says "Everything here $1.50 " or whatever.

Answer 3

The price should be on top of an item, not on the bottom. As a general rule of thumb, price items about a quarter or third of what they would cost new. People usually won't pay a lot of money for clothes they can't try on, but will gamble if it's only $1 or so. If you don't have time to price everything individually, signs are helpful, such as "all books 50 cents each" or "anything on this table 50 cents".

When pricing items, keep in mind that "a third of what it costs new" is only a guideline.

Answer 4

I had a yard sale ("garage sale" around here) where I priced almost everything at 50c, except for clothes. The jeans were $5. Dresses $2. Shoes $1. Books, kitchen stuff, videos, games, toys, all 50c. One customer complained, "is EVERYTHING 50c?!" Yup.

You wouldn't believe what will sell. Partially used packages of sandpaper, 25c. Half-used salon shampoos, 25c a bottle, I bet you could sell old toothbrushes to somebody, as long as they were cheap.

Then some young guys came buy asking if I had any furniture. I'd just moved into the house, and suddenly decided my furniture didn't fit in ... so we hauled the sofa, the entertainment center, love seat, coffee table, end tables, china cabinet and bookshelves all out in the driveway, and they bought the whole shebang. I made $1200 at that garage sale!

Answer 5

Yeah! If you want to get rid of it price it cheap.

Sticky label are good for the thing you don't want to haggle over and or the one or two of a type items but if you have tons of clothes just make a sign that says "shirts 1.00" "shorts 50 cents" like that... or what ever.

If there is something that is really special to you pull it out and price it separately.

Good luck! Wish I could stop by!

Answer 6

if you went to a yard sale what would you pay for that item. You need to remember that when putting a price on it that you won't get top dollar being it is a yard sale. Also remember people who go to yard sales will try to talk you down. So you could make it a little higher so that you can go down to what you really want.

Answer 7

it's best to label everything. or you could have a whole box saying $1 apiece etc.

you should shop other garage sales and thrift stores in advance to get an idea of prices of things. 10% of retail is pretty normal for stuff in good condition. you can always negotiate the prices or drop them as time goes on.

Answer 8

I hate going to a yard sale and seeing high prices (I think $4 is too much for jeans at a yard sale). I price stuff cheap to get rid of it, so......
clothes .25-1.00
books .25-.50
shelves 2.00-5.00
vases .25-2.00

I price everything individually except when I have a box or table and say "Shirts 25 cents or Books 25 cents"

Also, someone may ask you to come down. I had a lamp for $3 and someone asked me to come down to 2, no prob, I wanted to get rid of stuff, but you still need to get paid for your trouble, they are alot of work!!!!

Answer 9

I tend to price things cheap if its just junk you want to get rid of. It just depends on your stuff. You don't want to overprice stuff or you'll be stuck with it! In our area paperbacks usually go for a quarter, hard covers a couple bucks.

Answer 10

Clothes:

Depending on what articles of clothing you sell, I think these are reasonable prices:

Shirts: $1.50
Pants: $3:50
Socks: $.25
Hats: $.75
Accessories: $.50


Books:

Paperback: $.75
Hardback: $1.00


Shelves: $5.00-$7.00 dollars


Vases: $3.00-$6.00 dollars


Kitchen Gadgets: $2.50