How To Price Items to Sell

One of the questions I am asked the most is how to price an item. Some items are easy to price, like ordinary paperback books, 25 to 50 cents each. And compact disks (CDs) sell for one to five dollars each, depending on the artist. However, when it comes to pricing, my best advice is simple: Do Your Homework and Research.

Begin by attending other garage sales. Bring along a pen and pad and actually take notes of prices being charged. This will give you a ballpark price on many common garage sale items. Also, check newspaper classified ads.

Before you set prices, decide if you are selling items to raise money, or if you are having a sale to just get rid of stuff. Price your items accordingly.

People Go To Sales Looking For Bargains. That's the key to a successful sale.

Remember that inexpensive items sell the best. Items priced at 25 cents, 50 cents and one dollar will account for most of your sales. As prices increase, selling chances decrease.

As far as antiques and collectibles go, items older than 1970 MAY be collectibles and may require research to determine price. Use the Internet or visit antique stores to look at similar items.

Leave room for bargaining. Many buyers will make you an offer, so you might want to add fifty cents to a few dollars on items in order to be able to come down on a price and accommodate an offer.

Suggestions from sales I have seen: Everything on this table one dollar each. OR Take what you want and pay what you want. OR Everything is 25 cents each. (Avoid pricing items at 10 or 15 cents).

Again, actually going to garage sales and checking out your competition is the best way to determine pricing. Best of luck on your first sale of 2010!