The Pros and Cons of Having a Garage Sale (2024)

FAQs

The Pros and Cons of Having a Garage Sale? ›

Another significant downside is that a garage sale is a lot of work. Successful garage sales involve (and require) a lot of preparation like making signs, placing ads, getting permits, pricing items, and getting up before dawn on the day of the sale to set everything up.

Another significant downside is that a garage sale is a lot of work. Successful garage sales involve (and require) a lot of preparation like making signs, placing ads, getting permits, pricing items, and getting up before dawn on the day of the sale to set everything up.

With proper planning and garage sale pricing, though, you can potentially earn between $500 and $1,000, depending on how much you have to sell.

“Tools almost always do well at garage sales,” said Bakke. “And really tools of any kind — power tools, yard tools, you name it. Just make sure you have an outlet available for testing, and if selling cordless tools, make sure the batteries are charged.”

Although not everyone puts price tags on their garage sale merchandise, pricing your merchandise in advance will make the day of the sale less hectic for you. Additionally, it may make customers more likely to buy.

Conventional advice is to have at least $100 cash available to make change. Here's a common breakdown: (20) $1 bills = $20. (5) $5 bills = $25.

Early spring (around late March, April, and May) is the most popular time for a garage sale. It's just after winter, when people are eager to head outdoors, and will give you time for some spring cleaning, so you'll know what items you want to sell.

Although cash has long been the currency of garage sales, in this day and age, you'll likely get more bang for your buck if you also accept digital payments. Open up Venmo and/or PayPal accounts, and consider using payment services like Square or Stax.

What is the best weekend for a yard sale? ›

Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings are usually the best time to hold a successful garage sale. Consider scheduling your sale on the first weekend of the month—when people have just gotten paid and haven't spent all their fun money yet.

Get two rolls of quarters, a stack of 50 $1 bills, 10 $5 bills, and 5 $10 bills. Do it two days before the sale so that, if you forget, you can still get the change on the day before.

Post your garage sale flyers around the neighborhood a few days before the yard sale. Make sure to place them in high-traffic areas like marts, parks, office elevators, and churches so people will see them. You can also ask your friends and family to help out.

Homes with garages often have a higher resale value. Buyers typically prefer and are willing to pay more for a home with a garage, viewing it as a significant amenity. Garages have evolved from mere parking spaces to versatile areas.

Sellers are ready to part with their things, so it's perfectly acceptable to haggle on pricing, especially if you are interested in a high-dollar item or have a grouping of things. Either ask the seller if they can lower the price or feel free to make an offer. However, don't suggest too low a price.