How to Price Things at a Yard Sale
Setting a reasonable price for your items at a yard sale is key to moving the items quickly and without hassle. A saying goes, "One man's trash is another man's treasure," but if you set the price of your merchandise as if they were treasures, you're unlikely to get any takers. As such, it's important to know the resale value of what you're offering and to set the price accordingly, high enough to be worth the effort of selling, but low enough to interest a buyer.
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Instructions
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Research the worth of your item new; check current prices of the item on online retailers' websites, or check any pricing information still present on item packaging. For items no longer manufactured, check online auction sites to locate current prices. Find the value of collectibles by having them appraised or by locating the items in book lists created for specific collectible genres such as comic book, or toy lists.
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Take the new-item price and price your yard sale merchandise at one-fourth or one-third of the retail cost. The better the item's condition, the closer you can come to one-third. However, price clothing lower because there are no provisions at yard sales for trying on the clothes.
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Create easy-to-read signs for larger merchandise. You can also purchase ready-made signs that have colorful borders. Use colorful markers to mark the prices so they are easy to see from a distance. Place the signs on the tops of the items.
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Create price tags for smaller items with masking tape and a marker.
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Negotiate on the price of items if the offered price seems fair. Do not be afraid to stand firm on a bottom price however, as you don't want to give the items away for free.
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Tips & Warnings
Sell valuable items on consignment in secondhand shops or using online auctions rather than at a yard sale to receive a higher price.
References
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