Let’s talk about garage sales! Garage sales can be a great option for decluttering and making some extra money. But how do you make them successful? We covered tips on how to get people to come to your sale, how to make the most of the sale, and alternative ways to sell your items if your garage sale doesn't go as planned.
(Original Episode 22 Air Date: June 19, 2023)
In this episode we talk about:
- Pros & Cons of garage sales
- What to consider when hosting a garage sale
- How does the reselling market impact garage sales?
- Are Garage Sales right for you in your organizing journey?
- How can you turn a poorly attended garage sale into a positive experience?
Mentioned in this Episode:
Episode 039: Should You Keep it, Repair it or Throw It Way?
https://theorganizedflamingo.com/27-step-6-evaluate-step-back-evaluate-your-organizing-system
Episode 006: Should You Do-it-Yourself or Outsource It?
https://theorganizedflamingo.com/6-should-you-do-it-yourself-or-outsource-it
Blog: Virtual Sell/Buy Marketplaces Blog Post
https://theorganizedflamingo.com/virtual-sell-buy-marketplaces
Think your community or group of friends could benefit from a Community Garage Sale?
Get our “Community Garage Sales Made Easy Handbook” in our shop!
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The Organized & Productive podcast is brought to you by The Organized Flamingo and hosted by Stephanie Y. Deininger! For those of you who love the thought of organizing & being more productive, but don’t know where to start or constantly up against hurdles that don’t let you advance the way you want to, this podcast is for you!
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Review the Transcript:
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:00:00]:
This week, we've got something a little different that we haven't done before. We have not had any repeats since the beginning of this podcast back in January of 2023. We've had 72 amazing episodes that are unique and each have been new every single Monday. This week, though, I am, for the first time, bringing an oldie and a goodie from last summer because we are talking about garage sales during this time of the year. And the garage sale, rummage sale, upcycling market has grown, but there's also quite a bit of hesitation from buyers to buy and. And we are in a moment in time where there is a lot of people that are retiring, downsizing, trying to get rid of their stuff, and it hurts my heart. And I see the numbers, and I see the data that is coming out as to how much stuff will end up in the landfill. So I am on a bit of a mission to just give people the awareness that there's a lot of really good stuff out there for you to buy and that you can you don't have to buy everything used.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:01:11]:
And many times, people that sell their stuff is in perfect condition. They just never used it. They're just looking for new homes. So I am on on a little bit of a mission right now to help the sandwich generation, those people that are responsible for multiple generations, above them, below them, younger, older, to help them realize that there are other ways to get rid of your stuff outside of just throwing it all away immediately. That might be the answer ultimately, especially for those of us and those of you who have a lot of stuff. Right? And you you're under a very specific time frame. You need to get, a solution for all this stuff. So I get that.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:01:52]:
Sometimes that's just the way it has to be. But there is also going to be the problem of spending money to store it. So I'm trying to give solutions to this generation, to the people who are requiring a lot of stuff and letting them know that, hey. There are events like a garage sale, like a rummage sale The could be of benefit to you and help you find additional value in The stuff that you have. So we are doing a recap or rerun of last year's episode because it is a a classic. One thing that I would like to highlight that I didn't talk about as much in this episode was the virtual resale market. We will have a separate conversation about that, but what I would like to add for this year is that when we talk about garage sales, don't forget that this also means the virtual version of a garage sale or a rummage sale. So you can host and on different apps like Poshmark right now, in 2024.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:02:56]:
It's still very relevant. Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, thredUP, you got a whole number of them, which I will put in the show notes. And that also applies to the garage sale concept. It's just the virtual, you know, cousin of it. So, don't forget, you also have these tips will be able to be applicable to the virtual version of a garage sale. Alright. Without delaying it, here we go. Here's the original episode from last year on the benefits and drawbacks of hosting a garage sale.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:03:30]:
Enjoy. Welcome to the Organized and productive podcast with The Organized Flamingo. I am your host, Stephanie, a professional organizer and productivity expert. Ready to explore the right organizing and productivity solutions for you? Yeah? Well, then let's go. Be honest. What do you think about garage sales? Do they make you cringe? Do you get excited when you go and wake up early and head to a garage sale weekend? Like, how do you feel about them? The reason I'm asking you this question is because I know in the last couple of years, garage sales in the reselling market has gotten kind of a bad rep. There has been a lot of innovation around reselling apps and resell marketplaces, which I love. But as a whole and as a society, whenever I talk about garage sales, I usually get a little bit of a cringe effect or factor or commentary.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:04:30]:
Now you all know that I'm all about the and, so I have not officially made a survey or compiled any official information about how people feel about garage sales, but this has been my own take being in the industry where when I talk to a client and I say, hey. Maybe you're a good candidate to host a garage sale. I and of get this little pushback of, oh, I don't know. Oh, it sounds like a lot of work. Nobody wants my trash, and I get that kind of feeling. Now I'm assuming that there will be a couple of you who were attracted to this episode because you are garage sale pros, and you know your stuff. So, obviously, I'm not talking necessarily to you, but I hope you will stick around because we are going to talk about some tips and some observations that I have seen being in the organizing world that hopefully will help you as well. But as a whole, as a society, I think especially here in the US, we just don't really have a very positive connotation to garage sales.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:05:31]:
It's usually the people are getting rid of their stuff because they're downsizing, and it's looked upon as it's somebody else's trash. And it's not always the case. And so we're going to talk about the pros and the cons. We're going to talk about my observations of what I have seen, some of the successful garage sales that I have been a part of and that I put together, and give you some tips for you to consider if maybe garage selling is the right avenue for you in your organizing journey. Okay. So let's get started with a little bit of the garage sale 101 and what it is. A garage sale is in this terminology, we're talking about the reselling of items that you already possess. So they could be brand new items you're reselling.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:06:15]:
Maybe you never used The, or they could be used and you are now, you know, getting rid of them for whatever reason. So this is a sale that you have personally put together. This is not like a company, brick and mortar. This isn't a store. This is a personal reselling of items in your possession. So if you're interested in the history of where garage and yard sales came about, it's a term that we use here, especially in the US, where you hold, like I said, those sales, the the privacy of your own home, your garage, if you will, something that came about in in the 19 around The 19 seventies where garages, were starting to be more popularized and you could like The sixties, seventies, and you would host the sales in your yard. Before that, they were called rummage sales, and those were mostly held by charities, churches, and groups like that that would then sell the items to benefit their association or their nonprofit. And even prior to that, there is some history, which we can dive into in on another episode, but there's some history there with it being a nautical term from ramage, which was the cargo that was packed into the hold of a ship.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:07:26]:
And the rummage sales at that time were held at the docks, and the cargo that was unclaimed or damaged would then be sold at a discounted rate. And they were that was The rummage. And then from there, it just became the garage sale. So one thing led to another. So it's a little bit of a fun history for you and for you history buffs. And I also wanted to shed light on The history of it because as most anything, things have evolved. But this one in particular, this type of sale really has stuck to its roots. Right? It's things that are no longer needed, wanted, that are being sold for the for a fraction of their their original price.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:08:04]:
And that's the beauty of this type of sale. The seller is getting rid of items that are no longer used to them, and the buyer feels like they're getting a good deal. And in today's age, that we're keeping items out of the landfill, so it's a win win when you host these types of sales. Now there's cons to it, and I'm not saying that a garage sale is for everyone, which we will explain some of the pros and cons, who is a right fit for this type of event. But as a whole, it's supposed to be a win win for all parties. And the reason I am a big fan of this type of sale in an organizing journey is because there is that win win factor. It is an emotional win for the seller knowing that the items are going to a new home where the item will actually be used. Many of our clients, especially if you, are more you have more hoarding tendencies and you're emotionally attached to items, you can't let go of something or the items that are accumulated in your home, in your household, in your space because there is this fear that you didn't get to use it or that it was a waste of time or money or effort purchasing the item.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:09:18]:
Or if it is an emotional, maybe family heirloom, that you are breaking the tradition of keeping that item alive and there's a lot of guilt associated with it. So to relieve that guilt a little bit, when you know that it's going to a good home and for someone that actually will be using it, it becomes a win for you, the seller, or the person who will be selling the item. And that contributes to long lasting organizing and long lasting decluttering habits because it gives you that really good feeling. Now on the other end, for the seller, they, of course, feel like it's a win because they got something that was much better priced. They know they're keeping it and out of the landfill. And so it just becomes a really good understanding between the parties that it was a good day to buy the item and then, you know, to buy and sell. So it's a win win. So let's talk about the pros of having a garage sale.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:10:15]:
So I already talked about the emotional pro, which is finding a better home, the next home for the item. But this is a great opportunity to declutter and organize your living space. It allows you to go through your space, open boxes maybe that you have not opened in a really long time. So it gives you that chance to declutter and organize. The other is it gives you a chance to make some extra money by selling the items that you no longer need and are taking up space. Now what kind of money you will get for the item will vary on what you're trying to sell. I have a whole blog post, which I will link into the show notes, and you can, also download our checklist on how to, have a successful garage sale. So in in one of those, points on that list and in the blog post talks about, yes, making extra money, but also being realistic about what you're selling, getting some second opinions, asking friends, going online and seeing what something is worth.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:11:11]:
Because just because something, even if it's a brand new item and you bought it for a $100 and you think that you you know, it's never been used, it's brand new, the person who is buying it does not have the same emotional attachment to that item. So what you are going to make on that item is probably not what you think you will, so just be smart about that. But you will make some extra money, and that item sitting in your basement or your closet is probably not making you any money. So, you know, this is one of the other pros. Big disclaimer here. We are not talking about, collectibles or valuables. Some of you are professional collectible, collectors or people that know what something is worth. And if that's you, then you understand that, you know, you're storing it for the long term, value.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:12:01]:
So that's a whole that's a whole another episode. This is just talking about everyday items. Some of the other added benefits, which for some of you, you may like, except for some of you, you may not, and there is a way around it. But I think it's a pro, and that's the engagement with the local community and the potential to meet new people. A garage sale is a great way for you to meet your neighbors. And maybe even if you're not social, this could be a really good opportunity to hear you know, see get some recommendations on where to donate things. Where can I sell this? Is there a better place? Maybe someone will tell somebody that you have a thing that they needed. So that engagement really helps you get rid of your stuff and find new homes for your things.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:12:43]:
Now this is my favorite, this next pro, and that's the sustainable practice of recycling and reusing items rather than throwing them away. I this is my favorite. This is very close to my heart. I host an annual community garage sale here in my neighborhood. I've actually have done garage sales for many, many years. I've also done them for clients, but this is one of the number one reasons why I love doing The. And it's finding new homes for things that may have ended up in the landfill. And like I said, it's a win win.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:13:13]:
People feel like they're getting a good deal. And to me, it just it's my way of contributing to the keeping items away from just laying in landfills forever and ever when I know sometimes The can go to better homes. This next tip is not for everyone, but I added it as a pro because I know some of you get a thrill out of this. I will say that I am not one of these people. So if you are listening to this next tip and you're like, nope. That's not me. I hear you because I feel the same. But it's the process in getting that in getting the thrill of negotiating and negotiating prices.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:13:53]:
I know some of you live for this, especially as a buyer, if you enjoy going to garage sales and that thrill of getting a good bargain. Oh my gosh. I know that that goes a long way. So if you enjoy that piece of it, you know, somebody's saying, I'll give you $2 for it, and you say a dollar. And then you meet in the middle for a dollar 50, and you think that that's a win because you thought you were going to get 50¢ out of it, and that's, like, a win for everybody. I get it. So I did add it as a pro because I know a lot of you really enjoy that part. And if you've never done a garage sale before, try it out and see if you like it.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:14:29]:
You know? And if you don't, then there's plenty of tips, that I talk about over on the blog pay on the blog post that I mentioned earlier that will be in the show notes. But you don't necessarily have to negotiate. You can put up a sign that says every you know, it's nonnegotiable. You can put price tags on things, and you can just let people know The is what it is. Now there is a little bit of a subculture and a understanding that in garage sales and flea markets and things like that, in the resale market in general, that there is room for a bargain or just to, you know, offer another price. So just know that there's a little bit of that norm, but you certainly don't have to say yes. And you can absolutely put in your ads and in your signs and in your pricing that it's nonnegotiable. Okay.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:15:14]:
So now let's switch over to the cons of having and hosting a garage sale. Now these aren't necessarily negative things, but just things for you to consider. So I added them as a con because they're important to note and that this one of these cons may be the reason that a garage sale may not be right for you. Okay. So one of them is the time, the most important. It's the time and the effort involved in planning, organizing, and promoting this this type of sale. Like I mentioned earlier, I have hosted community garage sales, which, also, if you're interested in having something like that, I do have resources for you down in the show notes. But if you're having and individual, like a personal, garage sale, it still takes some time and effort.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:15:58]:
Right? You have to plan a little bit. You have to plan a date, set time for that date. And once you announce that date, because people need to know that you're having and, then you, you know, you're basically committing yourself to that that time, that date that you told people that you were going to be there. And in addition to that, then there's a little bit of a planning. Even if you're not a planner and you're just more of a fly by the seat of your pants type of person, you just grab and sell, there's still a little bit of planning because you you just you know, you have to go grab The stuff and take it out, and, you know, and put it up on tables or or just on your driveway or wherever area of your in front of your house. So there's a bit of time and effort involved, and that is something that only you know if you have time and the ability for. We recorded an episode here that could help you, where we talk about things to consider when you're outsourcing. So should you do it yourself, or should you outsource it? And that is a great episode if you're contemplating if doing this type of, like, a garage sale is right for you.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:17:02]:
I'll put that in the show notes as well. The next one is all about the weather, something that you really just can't help. I put it as a con because it makes people nervous, not knowing what will happen. Like, you know, finding that perfect date that's, like, the most beautiful weather, not too hot, not too cold. But it's a it's not under your control. And you can plan as much as possible, knowing that, you know, wherever you live, maybe you know your weather patterns and you know that it's just better to have it in June, maybe to have it in August, whatever it may be. Only you know The. But just know that if the weather is not great, you do need to make alternative arrangements, especially if you're you did a lot of preplanning, like advertisement, like, you set up your tables ahead of The, and you did all of that.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:17:48]:
Like I said, I do have a list of all, like, how to have a really good successful, garage sale, and it talks about the preplanning process. So there's effort involved in that. And if you get rained out or something to that effect, well, now you have to make some plans for another date. And if that makes you a little bit nervous, then or you have to have the garage sale that weekend because you're moving the weekend after, then that is something that, you may not love and something that you just need to consider. The next one is about an emotional con, and this is a tip that I just I give and that I wanted to talk about because this could happen, especially if you've never done a garage sale before. And that's the possible disappointment if items don't sell or they don't get the price that you want. So that is a con. If you're an emotionally attached person, that may surprise you that when somebody tells you they'll give you, you know, a dollar for it and you bought it for a $100 or it's a family heirloom and you could potentially feel almost whether embarrassed and or you may get defensive over it, then a garage sale may not be right for you because people there are trying to get a bargain.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:19:05]:
And it's not personal to you, but you may feel that way. So if you're in a sensitive, emotional place, a garage sale may not be right for you right now or for those items that you feel very emotionally connected to because, well, you know, the people that are trying to buy it are in a different place. They don't feel your emotions. So that's another con for you to think about. I feel like this one can be worked around as long as you prepare yourself that that may happen, but I also understand that many of you have items that would be very difficult or you would find offensive if somebody offered you much less than what you thought you were going to. So, you know, keep that in mind. The last tip is all about getting people to come to your garage sale and potentially having the disappointment of not having enough people come to your sale. So that's not even about that you can't even sell things.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:19:58]:
This is about people are not even coming or stopping by, and especially if you're not in a highly visible place or corner or house or area, then if you don't have a good strategy of getting people to come to the sale, then they won't even be able to buy because they don't even know you're there. And so that could be a con. If you don't have a good strategy on, advertising for this or a good reach, then or a good reach of somehow, whether it's through your social media The you're if you feel uncomfortable about posting or you don't know how to do it, that may be a con for you. Because if not enough people, not not enough traffic comes through your sale, through your garage sale, then there's no way that they know that you're even there, and that might be disappointing. Now I do have some tips in that blog post that I just talked about about trying to avoid that piece. Because so I don't necessarily think it's a con as long as you're prepare prepared. If during your sale you find your if you did not go do a good enough job advertising or you just didn't have the time or or, honestly, it was just a bad day and people are not walking by your neighborhood and therefore not seeing your sale, there's a couple of alternatives, that you have and that you can turn this event into a positive because you can just take pictures of the stuff that's out there already and post them on online social media platforms, marketplaces like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace and and Poshmark. I have a whole list of online resellers that you can post it to.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:21:31]:
So even if that becomes the downside of you having the garage sale and and you just don't get enough traffic, use it as a moment of exposure because everything's probably out in the sunshine. Right? Outside. Good lighting. Just take pictures and post them on social media, like I said, all these other marketplaces, and still get some good usage of the time that it took for you to put this together. So that could definitely be turned around if you have, if you're a little bit prepared. So to end our episode today, I wanted to share some feedback that I received from a neighbor. She was one of the participants in our community garage sale this year, and it was just really heartwarming to me, what she said. So let me let me read it to you.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:22:18]:
For our first and last garage sale, it was so great. Now in parentheses here, I just got to share with you. They are moving to their forever home. So in theory, this would be their last garage sale. And they had never hosted The before, so last in first. Then she continues, enjoyed meeting neighbors we never knew. Everything is gone. Planned to make a run to the local charity, but gave everything away at the garage sale.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:22:47]:
So many happy faces. We love that some of our treasures found new homes and a new life. Hope the community continues The tradition. And for the sake of our landfills, this was a great idea. Great lesson to teach the next generation. Hugs. Thank you for listening to the Organized and Productive podcast with The Organized Flamingo. If you enjoyed today's episode, I would love it if you leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast player.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:23:15]:
It helps with letting people know that we're here. For full show notes and resources, head on over to the Organized flamingo.com/ podcast. Happy organizing.
