Yard Sale Central

Maximize Your Profits at Your Garage Sale

2009-11-22T18:19:00.000-08:00

The most important way that you can maximize your profits at your garage sale is to know the value of the items you are selling. Many people have garage sales to make quick money while cleaning out their garage or spare room. Some of the items they sell have been around for several years and have no real value to the seller. However, these items may be valuable collectibles that are worth several thousand dollars. Another way to maximize your profits at your garage sale is to mark up all of the items you are selling by 10%. It is expected that people who come to garage sales will barter for a lower price on every item they see. The normal price they will be willing to pay is 5% below the marked price. If you mark up your items by 10% you have 10% to barter with before you lose money. This system provides a win-win for both you and the buyer. They are getting a reduction in the price of the item, and you are making 5% more than you would have if you had marked the item at its original price.

-- Know the value of the items you are selling --

It is important that you do not create any situations with your items that will make the buyer feel they have “lost” or had to pay full price for an item. Most buyers will walk away from the garage sale if they find they cannot barter for a lower price. You will not only lose the money from the item, but most likely the money that person would have spent on other items.

The basic rule for maximizing your profits at your garage sale is to create a win-win with every item you put up for sale. You will make the money you want to make and the buyer will get the items they want. By creating a win-win relationship with buyers you will find that they tend to buy more items at your garage sale than they intended because they are getting such a good deal. And, more importantly, the good deal they are getting is still giving you a much needed profit.

Second-hand Jeans

2009-11-22T18:07:00.000-08:00

I was very lucky this summer to have stumbled upon a great pair of lightly-used jeans at a garage sale. I, of course, found the garage sale using my favorite garage sale mapping site: garagesalefinder.com.

The wonderful thing about shopping at a yard sale and coming home with a great pair of perfectly-fitting jeans is the price. The worst thing is, now that I love these jeans, I have no idea how to find more. Heck, I'd pay retail for them if I could be sure to get the same style. I'm pear-shaped, so it's hard to find jeans that fit and look good. I only hope I don't wear these out too fast!

I did get a pair of jeans that were completely mis-labeled (by the manufacturer). The tag said they should fit, but I couldn't even get the up, much less zipped.

I've even had trouble finding a local brick & mortar store that sells the brand: St. John's Bay. Guess I'll have to look a little harder...

Buying second-hand appliances

2009-10-13T15:38:00.000-07:00

I've been around the block a few times buying appliances at garage sales. I almost always get a good (or great) deal, but occasionally I get a dud.

My most recent purchase is a small rice cooker for a bachelor in the Navy. He really doesn't cook, but is trying to save money, so I picked the cooker up for him the other day for $2.

When buying appliances you need to check for several things:

Make sure all parts are included (manuals can usually be downloaded) - having all the parts is critical. Ordering replacement parts can be expensive (it's the shipping that gets you!).
Make sure there are no obvious cracks, and that the finish is in good shape on cooking surfaces
Make sure all appropriate lights come on when it's plugged in (insist that the seller let you plug it in)
Consider the maintenance on the item; if the seller hasn't cleaned it well, they may have neglected it in other ways

If you have the option, look the appliance up by it's part number online to make sure it hasn't been recalled for safety defects.

Know how much the appliance costs new; you need to know this in order to negotiate for a good price. Don't trust the seller's version of it's worth, if you don't know, don't buy it. (I saw a lady pay $10 for a used quesadilla maker, they sell for $18 at Walmart new.)

Happy shopping!