8 Great Rummage Sales Tips

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Want to get rid of stuff you no longer want or need? Use these great rummage sales tips to keep you successfully organized from set-up to take-down.

Rummage Sales Tips - 1 - Wisconsin Homemaker

What do you do when you have a lot of stuff and want to get rid of it? Well, you could just give it away to a place that will accept your things or you could host a rummage sale.

Rummage Sales Tips for Newbies and Pros Alike

Rummage sales are a great way to earn cash while at the same time getting rid of unwanted possessions that no longer have a place in your home.

Now, depending upon where you are located, rummage sales are also known by other names like: garage sale, tag sale, yard sale or swap meet. Whatever you call it, it’s one of the best inventions for clearing the clutter profitably.

But if you’ve never had a rummage sale or have been unsuccessful in the past, there are a few things you can do to make it successful.

Rummage sales are a great way to purge one’s possessions and declutter the home, so here are some great tips for hosting a successful one each and every time.

Here are my eight favorite tips, so that you can breeze through the process of hosting a rummage sale without any muss or fuss:

1. Choose a Date

Here in the midwest rummage sales are a perennial favorite. Starting about mid-May through October, you’ll find neighborhoods a plenty with places hawking for sale items.

To find out what days work best in your area, ask friends, family, co-workers who can give you their take on the best days to host one.

From past experience, I have found that Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays tend to be the best times to have a rummage sale.

2. Set a Time

You will be surprised that many folks start out early looking for great deals and steals. So don’t be surprised if people shop earlier versus later on your rummage days.

For best results, think about setting the start time at around 8 o’clock until 4 p.m. This way, you can maximize both the early birds and last minute buyers.

Be sure to pace yourself or you will experience rummage burn out.

Rummage Tip: If your stuff is mostly gone, use the last remaining hours to reduce prices and eek the last remnants of cash on your items.

3. Gather Rummage Items

The old adage: “give away only what you’d want to buy” is a great starting point. However, there are some folks who like the odd items that others might pass by.

But above all: don’t sell junk–i.e., puzzles that have limited pieces, broken glassware or other “garbage” stuff.

When gathering items for your rummage, go room to room and crate or bag what you want to sell.

If at all possible, keep clothing on hangers, as it is easier for shoppers to peruse your wares versus digging through piles and piles of stuff.

Ultimately, think like you would a shopper and gather as you may all the toys, clothing, furniture, antiques, etc., that are worthy of selling.

Then, place them out on tables, matching like items together, for example: all glassware, all knicknacks, all sports equipment, toys, etc.

Need more savvy ideas for setting up an amazing rummage sale, check out this helpful video tutorial:

How to Set Up Your Yard Sale to Make the Most Money – Janettes CozyCorner

4. Price to Sell

Keep in mind that “your things” do have intrinsic value. But that value cannot equate to the original purchase price. It is, after all, considered “used.” And being such, it should be priced lower than what you bought it for.

If it helps, check out local rummages to see what others are pricing their things at. This is a great way to get a reality check of the going rate of household items.

Or better still, shoot for a middle of the road approach and then reduce the price at will.

You can also offer a “best offer” option, too, if you have things that are high in value but low in availability.

Rummage Tip: Use removable preprinted priced stickers to help with marking your items.

Rummage Sales Tips - 2 - Wisconsin Homemaker

5. Post It

Get the word out about your rummage sale through physical rummage sale signs, online chat boards and local news organization shout-outs.

Facebook and Craigslist are just two of the many online venues that you can invite one and all to your rummage sale.

Also, utilize family and friends to verbally (and text) your rummage to get the greatest coverage.

And, don’t forget to let co-workers and neighbors, too.

Rummage Tip: Place rummage signs on street corners, intersections and be sure to include directional arrows. Remember, too, to get permission if placing any signs on private property or posting on public right of ways.

6. Get Volunteers

It’s never easy to handle a rummage sale single-handedly. So try to enlist the help of volunteers (your kids, family and friends) who can assist you, not only during the hours of operation, but also with set-up and clean-up.

7. Have Enough Cash On Hand

You will need cash and lots of it when hosting a rummage. Get not only a variety of dollars ($1, $5, $10) but change (coins), as well.

If you have big ticket items, go the route of contactless credit card readers that will give shoppers the freedom to make larger sales.

Some of the more popular options are:

Seller Beware – Not all buyers are honest. Keep your final transactions to cash or credit cards unless you personally know the buyer. FACT: Lots of rummage sales get folks who try to pass off fake checks and counterfeit money. So be forewarned.

8. Donate Leftover Stuff

When all is said and done, if you find that you have leftover items that were’t sold, think about donating these to a local charity organization.

Not only will you be helping others by giving away unwanted items for others to use and sell but this will also provide workers a way for gainful income.

Final Thoughts

Here are a few more quick rummage sales tips:

Use music. Add ambiance to your rummage sale by piping some fun tunes.
Sell Crafts. Use this opportunity to sell your crafts and quilt projects, too. This is especially handy when your rummage falls later in the season and closer to holidays or big events (think Christmas in July).
Sell Drinks and Snacks. Offer ice cold bottle water, lemonade and bagged snacks for purchase. Shopping is hard work and food helps to keep shoppers buying.
Don’t stress. Keep the whole event lighthearted. You are successfully decluttering your house and that’s a success no matter what!

For more great ideas for keeping your home neat and clean, be sure to check out Wisconsin Homemaker’s Housekeeping Section, as well as these helpful articles: