Garage Sale question

Hey- I really don't post anymore, but need some help and this is the first place I would think to turn.

My MIL is having a garage sale and DH and I have a bunch of stuff to sell. I would like to make as much money as we can, but don't want to overprice so no one will buy it. What prices do you recommend for:

books - mostly paperback
VHS movies
dishes (Dinner plates, salad plates, bowls)
Christmas decorations
wine glasses and flutes

Thanks so much for any help

Re: Garage Sale question

books - mostly paperback : $0.25
VHS movies : $2




i dont know about the rest, i'd have to see them.

Re: Garage Sale question

vhs tapes you might be able to get $3 a piece for them since they sell new for around $7.99

books .25-1.00 depending on condition and how new

dishes: is it a set? I'd sell it as a set if possible, otherwise, maybe $2 a dish and you can be talked down

wine glases/flutes: glass or crystal?

glass: $2-$4 each? I've seen single glass ones in TJ Maxx for $6.99 or so.

crystal: obviously more, maybe $6-10 depending on the manufacturer

Re: Garage Sale question

VHS tapes, I would say $1.00 each, if that. People come to garage sales to buy cheap. You may get more trying to sell these items on ebay.

The paper back books I would say $.25 each

The plates, if they come in a set, I would say $10 for the set, and the same goes for the glasses.

Scott

Re: Garage Sale question

I would also say $1 for VHS tapes. I don't think people will pay more than that at a garage sale if they are used.

I think $.25 is OK for the books to start out, but books don't move that much at garage sales, so if you are really looking to get rid of them, and you have a book person browsing, I would offer to let them take more - like 5 -10 for $1.

I would pay $.25 -.50 at most for a wine glass, bowl or a plate, but like Scott said, if they are part of a set, I would sell the set for a certain price. People are looking for real bargains on this stuff and if you are charging $2 per item, I don't think they will buy them, or be bothered bargaining. These things might be worth that much to you, but to a stranger, not so much.

Not sure about Christmas decorations.

Message edited 10/4/2005 9:45:52 AM.

Re: Garage Sale question

Re: Garage Sale question

I made a ton at a garage sale 2 years ago. I think the trick is not pricing anything, when someone picks something up, then come up with the price based on intrest, and their likely hood to buy it. Go up a little, and let them come down, makes them feel like they got a bargin.

Re: Garage Sale question

My Mom does $25 for paperbacks. At the end of the day, she'll give them bags and say fill it for $3-$5.

She does $2 for VHS tapes. People always try to haggle with you so if they ask, she'll drop it down to a $1 depending on how old it is.

She prices a lot of stuff a little higher than is willing to come down.

Re: Garage Sale question

Thanks all for your responses, they were very helpful.