Yard sales-worth it?

**crdurham** · 10-04-2004, 05:31 PM

Do you think that its worth it to have a yard sale or do you just give the stuff to charity. I had a yard sale this past weekend. I did all the stuff that everyone recommends-put a ad in the paper, priced everything, had all the clothes stacked and sorted, etc... well, my add cost $8.00 and I only made $30. I had some really nice clothes and other stuff. The local "Clothes for Kids" is having a yard sale this weekend so I called them and they came and picked up the rest of the stuff. I think from now on, I'm just gonna give the stuff away and not bother with a yard sale..

what are your thoughts? Do you think they are worth the time and effort and cost of a ad?

**homesteadmamma** · 10-04-2004, 06:00 PM

Cornelia, I think it depends. We've had a couple yard sales and did really well. BUT I won't have another one. They are time consuming and I think for the work you do, really are a bother.

I prefer now to either give the items to someone I know or donate to charity.

**Kimmomo3** · 10-04-2004, 06:55 PM

Unless you can make more than 500.00* it is not worth it to me. That is how much you can deduct on your taxes with out filling out even more forms. So I keep track and pictures of what I give to charity and deduct that much (usually turns out to be close or over 500, but I only put down 500) Then I can charge what I really think it is worth. and that is more than I think I coule sell it for in a yard sale.

*I think that is the number, I am NOT a tax person.

**kimmee** · 10-04-2004, 06:59 PM

We take our stuff out to the swap meet - you get way more exposure - its a little more work but you usually end up taking nothing home - you can just give it away. This year I have been using freecycle though cuz we merged two households and had so much extra big stuff that could really help out somone who needed!!

**kaykwilts** · 10-04-2004, 07:25 PM

For the really nice stuff why not take them to a consignment shop? I give my clothing away. I find that in turn I get blessed because I usually get stuff handed down to my girls. I used to give stuff to a lady who had a little girl slightly younger than mine but she moved off so now I donate to the charity thrift store.

**Katybird** · 10-04-2004, 07:57 PM

I would much rather donate to the charities of my choice. I love going to the sales but I hate having to put them on.

**Early Bird** · 10-04-2004, 08:53 PM

Charity. Yard sales are just too much work.

**Chea** · 10-04-2004, 09:19 PM

Too much work and the one time I did it all I got mostly were a bunch of nosy neighbors and a some young kids that tried to steal from me. How pathetic is that! I'll either give it to someone who I know can use it or donate it.

**simplemom** · 10-04-2004, 09:45 PM

A yard sale at my home is not profitable....I sold very little and it cost me $20 for the permit...but I rented a table for 2 days at the organization where my aunt Francine goes and it cost $15--it helped them and I sold $200 and it was fun! But I have decided not to have any yard sales here...no one comes...I live in a non passing area, too.

I'm sorry Cornelia, you didn't sell much...

**QuilterMom** · 10-04-2004, 09:49 PM

It's $23 to place an ad in the newspaper here! I refuse to pay that!!!

I've had really successful yard sales and I've had pitiful ones. You never know what kind of crowd is going to come shopping on any given day. I like to make the money, but I find it easier to just donate the items and get a receipt for tax purposes.

**lacyj** · 10-04-2004, 10:49 PM

It really depends on if you're a pack rat or not. We're pack rats.
When we moved 11 years ago, we had 15 years of stuff to sell and we moved onto a bare piece of property. We had a yard sale a month for 6 months. We had some big ticket items, motorcycles, old boats, antique furniture, wood stoves, kerosene lamps, etc. We made about $6,000.00 total, and the stuff probably cost $2,000.00 originally. We're going to have another yard sale or three, when the house is finished, 'cause the stuff we've collected in the last 11 years, won't fit in the house...ha...

**mtjsmom** · 10-05-2004, 06:13 PM

It depends on what you are selling. I had one with my bestfriend a couple of weeks ago and made about 140.00 I did one 2 yrs ago and made close to 300.00 it really depends on the crowd. i sell mostly kids stuff and that is what most people in my area are looking for. I am having one this Saturday actually..lol..clearing out for Christmas..lol..and using the money towards gifts this year..wish me luck

carol

**PrairieRose** · 10-06-2004, 12:32 AM

I donate. I just loathe getting ready for a sale.....ugh.

**i.m.cheap** · 10-24-2004, 10:20 PM

I had two garage sales last year, each held for one day only (Thursday) and made over $300 at each one. It does take about a week to get ready for one, though. An ad in our paper costs about $20 too. I wanted to have one this year, but with my job, I just haven't had time.