Scorecard Research Beacon
Search Icon
Shop August 15, 2022

Tips and tools to have a successful garage sale

WATCH: Tips for having a successful garage sale
null

Hosting a garage sale is a great way to make some extra cash while clearing out all of your unused tools, toys and more.

But how do you make it a successful sale?

Setting up

Lifestyle expert and author of “Garage Sale America,” Bruce Littlefield tells “Good Morning America” about all the best garage sale tips. It starts with good signage, he said, with the items you're selling and the timeframe for the sale listed out.

“I also put a rope across my driveway,” he says, blocking people from entering until the sale starts. “Anticipation is everything.”

Organize your items

Organize your items by category, Littlefield said, and group bulk items together: Three for $5 books, for example. You can also set up a $1 table for quick and easy selling and create “kits” with miscellaneous items, like a “crafting kit” with various DIY supplies.

Pricing

Garage sale pricing can be tricky if you don't know where to start. For items of value, Littlefield said to check the selling price on a website like eBay. “Don’t look up what somebody has listed it for – you look [at] what it sold for. That will tell you its intrinsic value.”

In general, prices should be 10%-25% of the original cost.

Finally, Littlefield recommends writing price points on a piece of tape and adhering it to your items to avoid damaging them.

Continue below for everything you need to set up the ultimate garage sale

By clicking on these shopping links, visitors will leave Goodmorningamerica.com. These e-commerce sites are operated under different terms and privacy policies than Goodmorningamerica.com. ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Prices may change from the date of publication.

Garage sale signs

Everbilt 14 in. x 18 in. Corrugated Plastic Blank Sign

Price: $6.31 · From The Home Depot

Everbilt 6 in. x 24 in. Corrugated Plastic Garage Sale Sign

Price: $4.15 · From The Home Depot

Sign up for our new "GMA" Shop newsletter to get the latest deals delivered to your inbox and discover more products to help you live your best life.

Decoration

VEVOR Crowd Control Stanchion 4.9 ft. Red Velvet Ropes

Price: $96.99 · From The Home Depot

Viral 'cash stuffing' trend encourages people to save money: Here's how to do it

Rope King 5/8 in. x 140 ft. Solid Braided Poly Rope Red

Price: $42.74 · From The Home Depot

BlushBazaar Gold Chrome Balloons

Price: $7.50 to $11.25 · From Etsy

Extra supplies

Sharpie Basic Colors Medium Point Oil-Based Paint Marker (5-Pack)

Price: $13.48 · From The Home Depot

3M ScotchBlue 1.88 in. x 60 yds. Original Multi-Surface Painter's Tape

Price: $7.98 · From The Home Depot

LilyLlamaPrints 150 Labels on Roll Premium Gloss

Price: $10.50 to $231 · From Etsy