Our online estate auction is winding down today and it looks like the vast majority of our furniture will be sold! We've also sold some smaller "stuff" but still have many more cupboards, dressers, closets, etc. to empty. Trying to decide whether to try one big garage sale to get rid of at least a portion of the remaining items or just donate it all to charity.
I have not hosted a garage sale since college when my Mom twisted my arm to help me with her garage sales. I wasn't planning on having a garage sale but after donating 3 truckloads of stuff already and looking at all the stuff we have left, I'm wondering if I should try to make a little money on it instead of just taking the tax write off.
Any thoughts? What's your experience hosting a garage sale? Is it worth the time and effort? I have a friend who can help me with it, hoping that 2 people will be enough. The weekend we are considering will be during the time Dale is driving the DRV home, so I'd really like to get the house as empty as possible before our DRV is home. We'll be less tempted to try to pack too much stuff into the DRV if it's already gone
JayKim-no regrets said
08:19 PM Mar 11, 2013
When we were moving out of the S&B, we had 3 yard sales!! We also did an open house sale, I put a contact # on craigslist and the area where our house was and suggested they call for an appointment to come look at our 'for sale' stuff during a time period that both Jay and I would be home (never make apt's when you are at home alone) That actually worked out better than the yard sales, I had one lady that bought everything we had in the kitchen (except appliances) she even paid for it there and then, we weren't leaving the S&B for another two weeks.
We still ended up donating a full garage full of 'stuff' even after the yard sales/open house. It is hard work, but I had things I wanted to buy for the RV with the sales monies, so I wasn't 'giving it away' until I knew I had put enough effort into selling it Good luck!! huggs Kim x
NWescapee said
08:28 PM Mar 11, 2013
Kim - on your open house sale, did you list each item and price on Craigslist?
I'm wondering if that would be a good option for us once we have moved into our DRV, after the house closes and the only things left in the house are those items we're wanting to sell.
K & E said
10:58 PM Mar 11, 2013
A garage sale really depends on your location. We lived in a rural area where garage sales did not get much action no matter how much advertising you did. I sold much on eBay and Craigslist prior to listing the house and then once the house sold, we had an estate auction using a company that had a sale date plus took many of the leftover items to their resale shop. We still ended up donating a 2-1/2 car garage full of stuff to the Veterans Association. They took everything except the mattresses. We ended up taking those to the dump.
Won't you already need to have the house empty once it closes? Good luck in whatever you decide!
The Bear II said
11:41 PM Mar 11, 2013
With every garage sale we have, I swear I'll never have another.
We hold them on Saturday & Sunday from 8am to about 2pm. Another hour or so to put stuff away each night and take it out the next day. A total of 14 hours.
Even with big ticket items (antiques, electronics, collectibles...etc) it's rare if we make more than $500. About $35 per hour.
I'd rather donate the stuff.
Terry and Jo said
12:36 AM Mar 12, 2013
Just another caution with regards to doing anything with Craigslist. Recently in Norman, Oklahoma, a man had posted a microphone for sale with a set-up to meet at his home. An individual showed up and looked at the mike and asked if he could take it out to show to his "girl-friend."
The owner suddenly became very suspicious and went inside for a handgun. He returned to the front door in time to see the couple driving off with his microphone.
That is when good judgement left him entirely as he shot at the fleeing couple, leading to his own well-deserved arrest.
Terry
NWescapee said
12:41 AM Mar 12, 2013
K&E - we're in suburbia now so getting people to a garage sale won't be hard and I'm actually considering having it right before we list the house to help get rid of a lot of the small items that will be left. Considering a second one after the house sells, right before closing if we're not on the road at the time. In WA state we have 5 days to vacate the premise after closing.
The Bear - thanks for being honest about how much you actually sold at your garage sales, helps me with my decision. I'm seriously considering just a one day garage sale on a Saturday, I keep hearing Sunday isn't worth it and I could use the afternoon to box up everything that didn't sell so it could be donated. I figure we have such a short time left before we leave that I don't want to miss a Sunday at church for just a few dollars.
Racerguy said
02:19 AM Mar 12, 2013
We had several garage sales before we moved and made several thousand dollars so I guess it just depends on what you have and where you are selling.
Rob_Fla said
04:01 AM Mar 12, 2013
We also had several garage sales that made several thousand dollars per sale. Our home was in a good location for high garage sale traffic, between craigslist for some of the larger items and a few garage sales, we got rid of most of the stuff.
bigboomer said
04:27 AM Mar 12, 2013
We did both. Once we finally sold our home (5 offers and 3 contracts in 6 months after listing) we decide to do the Yard/ Garage/ Estate Sale and listed it anywhere and everywhere including Craigs List. This was after we had brought in several auctioneers and antique dealers to give us estimates on what our "stuff" was worth.
We did the sale on a Saturday and Sunday. On the Saturday we started setting up at 4 am and by the time we were just about ready to open up at 10 AM there were people lined up 3 deep around our property on the sidewalk (we had a corner lot). It got to the point that at 5 min to 10 I could not hold them back any longer so I just shouted "release the hounds" and all heck broke loose!
We pretty much sold everything except some furniture which we then called the local charities and donated to worthy causes. We still have some "stuff" in a small storage unit which we are slowly but surely wittling down with the goal to have no unit by the end of the year.
Good Luck and have fun!
-- Edited by bigboomer on Tuesday 12th of March 2013 04:28:17 AM
folivier said
01:47 PM Mar 12, 2013
The timing on our house sale didn't work out for a yard sale (had to move out over Christmas week). I had been selling off the big stuff to friends, giving stuff to family, sold the tractor, boat, golf cart on Craigslist. But had a LOT of stuff, older furniture, kitchen stuff, junk, etc. We called Habitat Restore and they made 3 trips in their big box truck and were done in a few hours. They took everything, even old mattresses which no other place wanted. And the best thing is after we filed our taxes we did way better donating the stuff than we could have ever done in a yard sale. And we felt better knowing that we helped other less fortunate people.
cherylbrv said
11:44 PM Mar 12, 2013
I'm in a similar situation in that I also have a 2 1/2 car garage filled top to bottom plus 5 rooms of cabinets and drawers and closets of stuff to get rid of. I'm happy to just donate it 99% of it and only sell the bigger ticket items (like the lawn mower and snow blower -- things I can't wait to never have to use again!!!). Only problem is that I don't have the resources to take all the stuff to a donation center, and none of the charities I contacted allow their drivers to come into the house, which means putting all that stuff outside for pickup (there's a bunch of electronics as well, which isn't a good idea to put outside if there's rain or even dew).
Does anyone have any other ideas? I don't want to call one of those companies that haul junk because even if I don't make money, I don't want to have to pay a few hundred $$s either.
Jake62 said
11:58 PM Mar 12, 2013
Cheryl,
My Mother passed away last summer and we contacted "The Salvation Army" who gladly came inside her Condo and took all her furniture, clothes, etc. down the elevator and out the door. This is "free"!
Racerguy said
01:13 AM Mar 13, 2013
If you just don't want to bother then Salvation Army is a wonderful group to help but you would be surprised how much you can make on the small items.We grouped small stuff in boxes and sold it for anywhere from 3$ to $5 per box.Got rid of a lot at one time and made a little money.
folivier said
03:00 AM Mar 13, 2013
Habitat Restore did come inside the house. We didn't have to touch anything just pointed. It was one lady and 2 teenage volunteers.
WestWardHo said
04:42 AM Mar 14, 2013
I think some of the success from garage sales depend upon where you live. In our area just cheap stuff sells. We're planning on 4 upcoming ones - as someone suggested on a different thread- 4 weekends in a row advertising there will be new things every weekend. Shipped some family heirlooms & collections to family members and taking 6 boxes to WA this summer for eldest son. Also advertising some things on Craigslist and having some success. Sold 400+ horse brass collection for scrap (ouch). Taking a truckload UHaul to sons guest house in Tucson and don't come to visit or we'll load your trunk up with free goodies as our family who is departing on Friday is quickly learning! The "junk" we collect!!
The rest goes to the humane society here and they will send a truck. We're finding that donations to charity does help significantly on taxes if you keep good, accurate records.
Good luck.
Sherry
NWescapee said
06:06 AM Mar 14, 2013
OK, so our online estate auction is over, made as much money as the "traditional" estate sale person estimated we might make after their minimum was deducted with a lot less hassle and bother.
Now that we know DH is driving to OK to pick up our DRV our daughter has indicated a few items she might be interested in, and in fact, might actually be needed by their young family. Yay, someone who wants our stuff, can actually use things like cookware, linens, kitchen appliances, etc. Phew, sigh of relief that we can help our daughter and her family and not just get pennies for our "stuff".
So after I sort out what she's asking for, I will still have plenty for a garage sale with the rest to be donated.
Just want to get rid of "stuff" at this point.
JayKim-no regrets said
01:43 PM Mar 19, 2013
NWescapee wrote:
Kim - on your open house sale, did you list each item and price on Craigslist?
I'm wondering if that would be a good option for us once we have moved into our DRV, after the house closes and the only things left in the house are those items we're wanting to sell.
Sorry it took so long to answer this, we are currently in Florida, meeting some friends here from Canada....loving the warmth!!
Actually, we only listed a couple of 'big ticket items' on craigslist. By open house, I meant that I just put an ad' on there to let people know we were having a 'moving sale'. We invited people to call for an appointment to come over and take a 'look' (hopefully buy) before the yard sales. I think people that generally do yard sales (flea market sellers etc) love the idea of getting to 'see' what you have before it's open to everyone. We did very well from the appointments we made before the 'proper' yard sale.
It may well be too late for you to do this, hopefully you are done with the selling, but it is a good idea for anyone else going through the down sizing process!
Our online estate auction is winding down today and it looks like the vast majority of our furniture will be sold! We've also sold some smaller "stuff" but still have many more cupboards, dressers, closets, etc. to empty. Trying to decide whether to try one big garage sale to get rid of at least a portion of the remaining items or just donate it all to charity.
I have not hosted a garage sale since college when my Mom twisted my arm to help me with her garage sales. I wasn't planning on having a garage sale but after donating 3 truckloads of stuff already and looking at all the stuff we have left, I'm wondering if I should try to make a little money on it instead of just taking the tax write off.
Any thoughts? What's your experience hosting a garage sale? Is it worth the time and effort? I have a friend who can help me with it, hoping that 2 people will be enough. The weekend we are considering will be during the time Dale is driving the DRV home, so I'd really like to get the house as empty as possible before our DRV is home. We'll be less tempted to try to pack too much stuff into the DRV if it's already gone
We still ended up donating a full garage full of 'stuff' even after the yard sales/open house. It is hard work, but I had things I wanted to buy for the RV with the sales monies, so I wasn't 'giving it away' until I knew I had put enough effort into selling it
Good luck!!
huggs Kim x
I'm wondering if that would be a good option for us once we have moved into our DRV, after the house closes and the only things left in the house are those items we're wanting to sell.
Won't you already need to have the house empty once it closes? Good luck in whatever you decide!
We hold them on Saturday & Sunday from 8am to about 2pm. Another hour or so to put stuff away each night and take it out the next day. A total of 14 hours.
Even with big ticket items (antiques, electronics, collectibles...etc) it's rare if we make more than $500. About $35 per hour.
I'd rather donate the stuff.
Just another caution with regards to doing anything with Craigslist. Recently in Norman, Oklahoma, a man had posted a microphone for sale with a set-up to meet at his home. An individual showed up and looked at the mike and asked if he could take it out to show to his "girl-friend."
The owner suddenly became very suspicious and went inside for a handgun. He returned to the front door in time to see the couple driving off with his microphone.
That is when good judgement left him entirely as he shot at the fleeing couple, leading to his own well-deserved arrest.
Terry
The Bear - thanks for being honest about how much you actually sold at your garage sales, helps me with my decision. I'm seriously considering just a one day garage sale on a Saturday, I keep hearing Sunday isn't worth it and I could use the afternoon to box up everything that didn't sell so it could be donated. I figure we have such a short time left before we leave that I don't want to miss a Sunday at church for just a few dollars.
Our home was in a good location for high garage sale traffic, between craigslist for some of the larger items and a few garage sales, we got rid of most of the stuff.
We did both. Once we finally sold our home (5 offers and 3 contracts in 6 months after listing) we decide to do the Yard/ Garage/ Estate Sale and listed it anywhere and everywhere including Craigs List. This was after we had brought in several auctioneers and antique dealers to give us estimates on what our "stuff" was worth.
We did the sale on a Saturday and Sunday. On the Saturday we started setting up at 4 am and by the time we were just about ready to open up at 10 AM there were people lined up 3 deep around our property on the sidewalk (we had a corner lot). It got to the point that at 5 min to 10 I could not hold them back any longer so I just shouted "release the hounds" and all heck broke loose!
We pretty much sold everything except some furniture which we then called the local charities and donated to worthy causes. We still have some "stuff" in a small storage unit which we are slowly but surely wittling down with the goal to have no unit by the end of the year.
Good Luck and have fun!
-- Edited by bigboomer on Tuesday 12th of March 2013 04:28:17 AM
And the best thing is after we filed our taxes we did way better donating the stuff than we could have ever done in a yard sale. And we felt better knowing that we helped other less fortunate people.
Does anyone have any other ideas? I don't want to call one of those companies that haul junk because even if I don't make money, I don't want to have to pay a few hundred $$s either.
My Mother passed away last summer and we contacted "The Salvation Army" who gladly came inside her Condo and took all her furniture, clothes, etc. down the elevator and out the door. This is "free"!
The rest goes to the humane society here and they will send a truck. We're finding that donations to charity does help significantly on taxes if you keep good, accurate records.
Good luck.
Sherry
Now that we know DH is driving to OK to pick up our DRV our daughter has indicated a few items she might be interested in, and in fact, might actually be needed by their young family. Yay, someone who wants our stuff, can actually use things like cookware, linens, kitchen appliances, etc. Phew, sigh of relief that we can help our daughter and her family and not just get pennies for our "stuff".
So after I sort out what she's asking for, I will still have plenty for a garage sale with the rest to be donated.
Just want to get rid of "stuff" at this point.
Sorry it took so long to answer this, we are currently in Florida, meeting some friends here from Canada....loving the warmth!!
Actually, we only listed a couple of 'big ticket items' on craigslist. By open house, I meant that I just put an ad' on there to let people know we were having a 'moving sale'. We invited people to call for an appointment to come over and take a 'look' (hopefully buy) before the yard sales. I think people that generally do yard sales (flea market sellers etc) love the idea of getting to 'see' what you have before it's open to everyone. We did very well from the appointments we made before the 'proper' yard sale.
It may well be too late for you to do this, hopefully you are done with the selling, but it is a good idea for anyone else going through the down sizing process!
Good Luck guys,
Huggies Kim x