How Does a Person Decide on Yard Sale Prices?

Comparison

One of the best ways to decide on the prices for treasures in your yard sale is to spend a few weekends visiting other yard sales. Pay attention to what is selling and what isn't. Notice how certain yard sales are arranged by price tables, like a dollar table or a 50 cent table, and others have items individually priced. If you see that vacuums are going for $20 at two of the yard sales you visit, but notice that one just sold for $10, that gives you a clue as to the market for used vacuums in your area. Also know that people love to offer less than is on your price tag, so if you know you want at least $15 for something, mark it at $20 to give the buyer room to negotiate.

Condition

Determining the price of an item being sold at a yard sale greatly depends on the condition of the item in question. If you are selling a microwave that's only been gently used, you can charge a higher price than for one that may only be valuable for the sum of its parts. Selling furniture at a yard sale is not the same as walking into a showroom so keep this in mind and take a good look at that old chair before you put a price tag of $100 when $10 might be more reasonable. People enjoy getting a bargain, which is the purpose behind going to yard sales, so price the items based on condition. Offering a good deal is the best way to relieve yourself of the treasures you stacked on your lawn this morning.

Research

Selling antiques and collectibles at a yard sale is not the best way to redeem your investment or make the most of your grandmother's broach, but they are easier to decide how to price than other household items. Thanks to websites like eBay, you can research the selling prices of vintage and antique pieces and determine the asking price for your star wars collection. You can also print the information and offer it to prospective buyers if you plan to reduce your prices even lower than the online prices (see Resources below). Pricing yourself out of the market is no way to have a successful yard sale and you should consider the time you spend researching any of your items as time well spent.

Resources

• Yard Sale Research