​​How to have a successful garage sale: Your questions, answered

Maybe you’ve sold a few things on a social media marketplace or made some donations to a local nonprofit organization, but now you’re looking to get rid of several household items at once (and make a little fun money while doing it!). Get out your folding tables and pricing labels because it sounds like you’re ready to host a good old-fashioned garage sale.

Should be simple, right? Gather your unwanted goods, put a price on them, set up some tables, and watch the dollars roll in. While you can certainly handle your sale this way, if you want to maximize your profits and minimize frustration, it’s going to take some pre-sale planning. And, lucky for you, we’ve heard some of the most popular questions — and answers — about prepping for a sale. Want to know how to have a successful garage sale? Take a look at these garage sale tips (or yard sale tips, if the garage doesn’t apply).

Let’s jump in and let the fun begin. 

When’s the best time to host a garage sale?

Everybody’s working for the weekend — because that’s when they’re out and about, trolling for steals and deals. As you likely guessed, weekends are the most popular times because that’s when most people can typically attend. As for seasons, garage sales usually take place in the spring and summer because of favorable weather conditions.

For the best attendance, go for a Saturday or Sunday morning between the hours of 7 and 11 a.m. when temperatures are cooler. If you’re able to have a two-day sale, that’s an even better way to maximize your profits.

Make sure to check the weather forecast, too, before you set your date in stone. Your garage may provide shelter from the storm, but bad weather deters potential customers from coming out of their homes altogether.

What supplies do I need for a garage sale?

Sometimes you’ve got to spend a little money to make a little money. If you don’t already have these basic garage sale supplies on hand, you may want to stock up.

• Black permanent markers: You may not stick to the sale price, but at least it’ll be well seen and won’t rub off. These will also come in handy for signage.

• Poster board: Use posters to advertise your garage sale around your neighborhood and to categorize sale areas (clothing, electronics, kitchenware, etc.).

• Pricing stickers: Shoppers are looking for that price tag. Make it easy to find and avoid answering a lot of questions.

•  Folding tables: You’ll need some flat surfaces to display your items. Use folding tables or other tables you have on hand.

• Cleaning supplies: Before your sale, make sure your items look their best by giving them a quick once-over.

• Shopping bags: Shoppers may want to buy more than one thing. Make it easy for them by providing some shopping bags. This doesn’t have to be a new purchase; you can reuse some from the grocery store.

• Packing supplies: If you’re selling fragile items, you may want to provide bubble cushioning roll and packing tape to help shoppers get their purchases home safely.

How do I promote my garage sale?

Hanging posters in your neighborhood is great for grabbing the attention of people in the moment, but some seasoned shoppers peruse social media looking for a good haul.

Post your garage sale details in your neighborhood’s Facebook group, or, if a group like that doesn’t exist, make a personal post and share it with your network. Maybe ask a few friends to share the post, too. You can also add a post to Nextdoor and Craigslist. These are great (and free!) alternatives to taking out an ad in your local newspaper. 

How should I price items for a garage sale?

Here are some quick rules about pricing items. For additional details, check out another article we’ve written on the PODS Blog about garage sale best practices while moving.

Price your things to sell. People come to garage sales because they want to get a deal. If you have something of real value and want to be paid what it’s worth, consider selling it through another outlet like eBay or Poshmark.

Follow the 10%–20% rule. Some people suggest pricing your items at only 10%–20% of their retail value. It may seem low, but it’ll move your inventory quickly.

Be prepared to haggle. Negotiations are a part of the garage sale process. It’s half the fun! Know you’ll likely be asked to lower the price, so consider that when presenting your opening number. How low are you willing to go?

Label prices individually. It’s tempting to dump things in an “Everything’s $1” bin, but people may pick up items from different areas and not remember the original location, leaving you to do the guesswork. Doing a little work beforehand to label every item will help you keep things organized the day of the sale.

What should I not sell at a garage sale?

You can sell almost anything at a garage sale — emphasis on the word “almost.”

Here a few things to avoid:

• Used undergarments: This isn’t just unsanitary; it’s a turn-off for buyers.

• Used beauty products: Once soaps, makeup, lotions, and other similar toiletries have been opened, it’s best to discard them to prevent the spread of germs.

• Broken appliances and electronics: Unless it’s a simple fix, it’s better to give these away for free or recycle them. 

What are the most — and least — popular garage sale items?

Like we mentioned, you can try to sell lots of things at a garage sale, but that doesn’t mean they’ll actually sell. It’s important to keep in mind some things are in higher demand than others.

Here are some popular items:

• Video games and gaming systems: These are expensive to purchase new, so people are looking for deals. Don’t be surprised if potential buyers want to plug them up first to make sure they work before purchasing them, though.

• Outdoor furniture: This type of furniture is going to get some wear and tear no matter what, so it’s easier to sell used.

• Books, especially hardcover ones: These retail for more than $20, so getting books for $5 or less is a deal.

• Sporting equipment: Especially bikes in good condition, skis, and other larger pieces.

• Jewelry: This isn’t the place to sell your grandmother’s wedding ring, but some fun costume jewelry or vintage pieces will likely go quickly.

• Dishes: Again, probably not the place for your expensive china, but if you have some cute everyday dishes or unique pieces, they’re popular for décor hunters.

• Power tools: These are expensive items, so getting quality products (that work!) at a reduced rate has a lot of appeal.

• Toys: If you have toys in good working condition or new in the box, this is a big target for shoppers.

• Children’s clothing: Kids grow quickly. Garage sales are a great way for parents and caregivers to purchase clothing at a discount.

• Purses, handbags, and other accessories: Adult clothing is tough to sell, but accessories are popular because you don’t have to try them on beforehand.

If you’re looking to make some extra-extra money, consider selling food and drinks. All that bargain hunting can make people feel snacky!

Here are some items that typically don’t sell as well:

• Travel souvenirs: They may mean something special to you, but they don’t have the same sentimental value for most shoppers.

• VHS tapes and other outdated electronics: With technology changing at a rapid pace, many electronics are quickly becoming unusable. Don’t put a price on something someone can’t use.

• Used shoes: There’s a certain ick factor to wearing someone’s worn out shoes. Of course, if you have some designer pairs in decent condition, this could be an exception to the rule. Use your best judgment.

• Mugs and cups: Again, it’s a little icky to think about sharing a cup with someone. It’s also tough to sell one-off items that don’t come with a set. 

• Armoires and entertainment centers: People typically don’t have big, bulky TVs anymore, making these pieces less sought after.

• Encyclopedias and textbooks: Hello, internet. Goodbye, Britannica.

If you’d like to get rid of items that fall into one of the less desirable categories, consider having a free bin where people can grab things as they please. It’ll at least cut the clutter!

Do I need spare change on hand during my garage sale?

We live in a digital world, but cash is still a preferred payment method. While you can use a payment app like Venmo or Square, you’ll still need some change on hand.

We recommend having $100 in cash for your garage sale. Not only is this a good amount to get your sale started, it makes it easy to quickly calculate your profit. For example, say you’re almost done with your sale and have $800 in your cash box. You can easily deduce you’ve garnered a $700 profit.

Wondering how many different dollar denominations you need? Here’s a suggestion:

• 20 $1 bills
• 5 $5 bills
• 4 $10 bills
• 1 roll of quarters
• 1 roll of dimes

How should I arrange my garage sale items?

One of the main reasons why certain sales are more successful than others is because of how the items are organized and displayed. First things first: Get your garage organized so you can fill it with your sale items. Then, you can move on to arranging your stuff in the most effective garage sale layout.

Put things at eye-level instead of laying them on a tarp or blanket. Also, think of your garage sale like a store. Group similar items together, label everything clearly, and think of other ways to make shopping as simple as possible for your customers.

For added temptation, line your bulky furniture and other head-turner items along the driveway. A lot of potential customers will keep driving if it looks like you don’t have a lot of inventory, so you want to make sure you continue to shift items into plain sight throughout the sale.

One more thing to take into consideration: In the wake of COVID-19, some shoppers won’t want to be in close proximity to others. Space your things accordingly. If possible, create wide aisles and walkways.

What do I do after my garage sale?

A garage sale is meant to help you declutter your home. With that goal in mind, try to unload as many items as you can during your sale hours, even if that means giving stuff away.

If your sale has ended and you’re still left with some things you no longer want, call a donation service and ask them to cart off anything remaining. It’s never a good idea to bring items back into your home. There’s a reason you wanted to get rid of them in the first place, right?

Finally, if your garage sale has ended and you still have items in your home taking up precious space you don’t necessarily need but you don’t want to part with, consider using a PODS storage solution. Our convenient portable storage containers can be loaded up right in your driveway — at your own pace — and they can either stay at your home for as long as you need them or be securely stored at a local PODS Storage Center with easy access whenever you need it.

Want more decluttering advice? Check out these pro tips for decluttering and downsizing, and get some organizational inspiration from top influencers while you’re at it!

LB Gabriel is a freelance writer who lives with her husband, daughter, and Golden Retriever in Memphis, TN. A frequent PODS blog contributor, she’s a sucker for any tip she can find on downsizing, cutting clutter, or minimalist living. When she’s not on a deadline, you can find her on a tennis court or golf course.