1. Pricing Items For Garage Sale
2. Pricing Items For Garage Sale

Setting prices at a yard sale is tricky. Ask for too much, and you won’t sell everything. Ask for too little, and you won’t feel good even if you do sell everything! The “tricks” to pricing yard sale items properly are research, accurate categorization, and organization. We can help with those.

1. ONUPGO Garage Sale Labels 3/4' Round Preprinted Pricing Labels Price Stickers Removable Prices Labels, Bright Neon Fluorescent Multicolored with Blank Label, Pack of 2240 4.7 out of 5.
2. Gently used clothing, in good condition. Everyone needs clothes, and savvy shoppers know you don't.

In a previous post, we offered three tips for organizing a profitable moving sale. Our tips in that blog were all about organization, planning, and systemization. Pricing is no different. All you have to do to price your yard sale items correctly is plan ahead a little. Specifically, plan ahead by following these instructions. These are the three ways to make sure your yard sale pricing will work for you:

By hosting a ton of yard sales, or by referring to my new yard sale pricing guide. Just think of it as your yard sale cheatsheet. It has suggested prices for almost 100 items, along with advice on when you should charge more, and things you can do to maximize your profits. Pricing garage sale items is an art. If prices are too high, the stuff doesn’t sell. If prices are too low, money is lost. Making money and getting rid of stuff are the prime motivators of having garage sales and pricing things the right way will enable you to do both. DVDs and Blu-rays can sell for $3 to $5, while CDs may only sell for $1 to $3. VHS and cassette tapes require a special buyer who still has the equipment, so go low with $1 or less. Vinyl Records: $2 for each LP album is a good price because these are becoming collectible again.

1. RESEARCH BEFORE YOU PRICE

Pricing Items For Garage Sale

Before you get out the stickers and the magic marker, do a little research. First, make a list of everything you plan to put out for sale. You don’t have to list individual book and movie titles (unless you want to), but you should know what categories of items will be up for grabs.

Armed with your list, head out to browse similar sales. Either stop by yard sales in nearby neighborhoods or visit several local thrift stores. Look for items comparable to those you plan to sell, and make a note of the prices. You’ll use those prices as a standard for assigning resale value to your own possessions.

Pricing Items For Garage Sale

One note of caution: do not make purchases on these research shopping trips. Your goal is to get rid of goods, not bring more home. Of course, you can make an exception if you find a bargain on a one-of-a-kind, can’t-live-without item-but leave the cash at home if you think you’ll be tempted.

2. PRICE ITEMS BY CATEGORY

Once you finish your research, you’re ready to price your own stuff. The guidelines below offer a starting point for the major categories of goods that often get purchased at moving sales:

• Paperback books: .50¢
• Hardback books: $1
• CDs: $1
• Cassette tapes: .25¢
• Vinyl records: $1 to $5
• DVDs: $2
• VHS tapes: .50¢
• Board games: $2 to $5
• Jigsaw puzzles: $1 to $2
• Toys: $1 to $3
• Baby clothing: $1 to $3
• Children’s clothing: $2 to $5
• Adult clothing: $5 to $10
• Shoes: $5 to $10
• Coats and jackets: $7 to $15
• T-shirts: $1
• Coffee tables: $20 to $50
• Loveseats: $50 to $150
• Couches: $75 to $300
• Dining tables: about $100
• Dining chairs: $15 to $30 each
• Dressers: $30 to $75
• End tables: $25 to $75
• Bookshelves: $15 to $50
• Baby furniture: $25 to $100
• Lamps: $5 to $20
• Wall mirrors or artwork: $30 to $100
• Picture frames: $2 to $10
• Home décor knickknacks: $1 to $5
• China: $1 to $5 per plate
• Dishes and glasses: 50¢ per piece or $5 to $30 for a set
• Flatware: 25¢ per piece or $5 for a set
• Kitchen supplies: $1 to $3
• Small appliances: $5 to $20
• Medium appliances: $25 to $150
• Large appliances: $75 to $300

All your prices should depend on the condition and original value of the item as well. For example, you could raise the base prices for new, name-brand clothing. You could also charge less for a plywood bookshelf than a real wood shelf.

If you have several items in a single category, let people buy those items in bulk for a small discount. For example, if you have a lot of baby clothes, pack them into bags and offer them at $15 per bag.

3. MARK PRICES CLEARLY AND CAREFULLY

After you work out your pricing scheme, get to work marking each item individually. Buy a few permanent markers to mark your prices with. Mark the prices themselves with masking tape or painter’s tape rather than stickers. Stickers tend to stay stuck once applied, which could damage your stuff and decrease its value.

If you have dozens of items of a single category, consider writing the price for that category on a sign instead of marking each item individually. Place the sign somewhere every potential buyer could see it. Marking by category instead of by individual item will save you a lot of time. It’ll make your yard sale easier to browse through, too!

Are you unwilling to haggle on the price of a few items? Let buyers know by writing “firm” on the price tag. Otherwise, assume that buyers will try to talk down your prices. Haggling is especially common for bigger-ticket items like furniture and electronics.

With the tips above and hints from our previous post, you’re ready to host a garage sale and get rid of some of your stuff before you move. If you need help moving the stuff you didn’t sell when you’re ready to move, give Bekins a call. Our moving experts will make sure your move goes just as smoothly as your sale.

Garage Item Pricing

Knowing how to price your items is of importance. For example, there was a man in California who purchased Ansel Adams negatives for $45.00 only later to find out they were worth $220 million.

• Baby Clothes– Price depends entirely upon condition and brand. If it's from baby gap or Gymboree and has a tag on it still, 5.00 and up should be reasonable. If there's no tag or it's been worn then $3.00 or less is appealing. If there are stains or damaged clothing it can be thrown in a donation/free box which will entice other purchases.
• Clothing - Again, brand names and condition help the asking price here.
• Plain tee shirts -.25-50 cents.
• Brand name polos, lacoste or other trendy brands - $5.00
• Plain blue jeans - $1.00
• Brand name jeans - $3.00
• Fleeces, jackets, coats, and other winter gear - $4.00
• Dresses & skirts - $5.00
• Items with tags still attached - $10.00 or 70% of original retail price whichever is more reasonable
• Pocketbook and purses – Depending on brand name $10 - $70
• Ties - $1.00 or bulk deals such as 10 for $6.00
• Dress shoes - $5.00
• Tennis shoes - $3.00
• Flip flops and sandals – If never worn $3.00

Books, Novels, and Textbooks – The going rate for a single paperback novel and outdated textbook is typically $1.00. A hardcover book in good shape can go for $2.00 and, and depending one how many books you have, it is often a good idea to make bulk sales at a price break to help move them.

Cassette Tapes – Many people still drive cars that have cassette players and many elderly individuals listen to opera, musicals, and classical music on cassettes. Also jam bands such as the Grateful Dead and Phish have lots of cassettes floating around that are worth a pretty penny. So there still is a market for these. 10 cents apiece for a non collectible tape. If you have a collectible tape or motivational tape then $1.00-5.00 is an ample starting price point.

Compact Disks – CD's are another dying breed due to electronic and digital media players like the iPod. However, we all have a CD player in our vehicle. $1.00 a piece with a bulk deal of 10 for $5.00 is fair, just make sure to check for scratches as you wouldn't want to purchase a disc that doesn't play or skips.

Electronics - This is the broadest category of items to price:

• VHS players - $15.00 try to sell it as a bulk deal with your VHS tapes
• DVD Players - $20.00 Also push this with the DVDs for sale
• Blue Ray Players - $40.00 although uncommon at sales they are available time to time
• Casio Style Keyboard - $25.00
• CD Players, Radios, and Alarm Clocks - $4.00
• Car Stereo – Dependent upon condition and wiring parts $15-30.00
• Printer - $10.00
• Desktop Computer – Depending on age and software - $50-150.00
• Computer Speakers - $10.00
• Landline Telephone - $5.00
• Remote Controllers - $1.00

DVDs – Depending on the age of the movie $2-3.00 is a fair starting price point. If it's brand new in the wrapper still or is a new release within the past couple of years then $4-6.00.

Household Items – As long as its in decent condition most household items are a breeze to sell at a sale as the bulk of visitors are looking for new furnishings and useful items for their home. Make sure to clean up all of these items, especially food related ones, to avoid spreading germs to the new owners.

• Pictures and Paintings - $5.00
• Center Pieces, Vases, Trays - $3.00 a piece
• A/C Units - $10.00
• Toaster - $7.00
• Coffee Maker - $12.00
• Microwave - $10.00
• George Foreman style Grills - $10.00
• Kitchen Supplies such as cereal bowls, glasses, plates, pots & pans, and silverware go for $1.00-3.00 a piece but try to sell them as a set of plates with the knife, spoon, and forks to match for $10.00.

Furniture – If you are a college student or a new homeowner who needs furniture then a garage sale is a dream come true for a bargain hunter. If you have antique items like an armoire, bookshelves, or other furniture, then you may want to seek a consignment shop opposed to a rummage sale.

• Couches - $35.00
• Kitchen Table - $25.00
• Entertainment Center - $20.00
• Desk - $15.00
• Office Chair - $5.00
• Love Seat - $15.00
• End Tables - $10.00
• Head Boards - $5.00
• Coffee Table - $10.00
• Rug - $25.00
• Dresser - $25.00
• Book Shelf - $30.00
• Patio Furniture Full Set - $45.00
• Patio and Lounge Chairs - $5.00 a piece

Sports Equipment – Whether its golf clubs, exercise equipment, or other miscellaneous sports equipment there will certainly be a market for it at a tag sale. As long as the item is not broken beyond repair you can wash off the item and place it for sale.

• Exercise Balls - $2.00
• Weights - $1.00 a set
• Treadmill - $50.00
• Exercise Bike - $40.00
• Baseball Gloves - $3.00
• Golf Club Set - $25.00 or $4.00 a club
• Dart Board - $5.00
• Pool Table - $55.00 and they haul it away!
• Soccer, foot, and basketballs - $2.00
• Hockey Sticks - $4.00
• Helmets - $2.00
• Fishing Rods - $8.00 a piece or a set of bait and tackle for $12.00

Toys – This is a tough category to price because the range of items depending on year and condition can vary. The consumer products safety commission has made it illegal to sell recalled products at a yard sale so please make sure that you are following legal guidelines for the safety of the children. Try not to sell broken toys that cannot be easily put back together. Some of the bigger brand names such as Leapfrog, Fisher Price, and Playskool usually command a small premium to off brand products.

• Post 1990 board games - $1.00 a piece (i.e. Guess Who, Life, Monopoly, etc...)
• Jenga, Skip its, and other recent decade toys - $2.00
• Fisher Price Little People fun park - $10
• Playhouses - $10
• Toddler chair - $15
• Barbie electronic shopping cart - $20
• Stroller - $10.00
• Beanie Babies - .10 a piece
• Dolls - $1.00- 15.00 depending on condition and rarity
• Power Wheels – 45.00
• Roller Skates, Ice Skates, Roller Blades, and Skateboards – 15.00
• Bicycles - $20.00
• Boys Action Figures - $10.00 for a shoe box full
• Matchbox Cars –$1.00 a piece if vintage hold onto if you can newer ones
• Changing Table - $45.00
• Crib – $50.00-100.00 depending on brand and condition
• Scooter - $10.00

Tools - As long as they still function you can sell them. Some of the bigger and more industrial items will sell well above the normal garage sale prices.

• Lawnmower (non riding) – $60.00
• Sewing Machine -$20.00
• Saw - $5.00
• Tool Box –Depending on size and condition $20-75.00
• Drills, Wrenches, and Screwdrivers - $2.00 a piece on average.

Videogames – Consoles, games, controllers, and memory cards are very popular items at garage sales and always attracts family friendly visitors. If you are selling a game that was released in the last two years and the purchase price was $50.00 or greater then 70% off or $15.00 is a fair starting point.

• Playstation 1- Console - $5.00 Games - $1.00 a piece Controllers $2.00 Memory Cards - $2.00
• Playstation 2- Console - $25.00 Games $3.00 a piece Controller $3.00
• Playstation 3 – Console – Make sure it works Games $25-35.00
• Xbox – Console - $35.00 Games – $3-5.00 a piece
• Xbox 360 – Console – Make sure it works Games - $25-35.00
• Nintendo – SNES, NES, N64 games $.50-2.00 Consoles $20-35.00 dependant on
• Condition Controllers - $3.00 a piece
• Handheld – Console - $20.00 & Games $.50 if older than 4 years $3.10.00 otherwise
• Sega – Genesis - $25.00 Dreamcast $40.00 Games - $3 a piece or 10 games for $20.00

Videotapes - VHS tapes tend to be popular at a garage sale and some shoppers like adding to their historic collection. 25-50 cents a piece is the going rate, and bulk deals such as 5 for a dollar will help sales. If you have a rare or collectible tape such as a Disney limited release you may want to consider keeping it or auctioning it off as you probably won't maximize your value at a yard sale.