“Hot Items” that Sell at a Yard Sale

Yard sales are a means to make money, if you know the right items to sell. A professional yard saler has outlined these tips to make that next yard sale a successful one.

I have been a professional at yard sales for over 20 years and would like to offer this advice to the novice.

First of all, Martin lists books as a good seller. Paperbacks sell well and are pricey if bought new. If you do not have a selection of paperbacks to sell, stop in at a local library book sale. They are inexpensively purchased there in bulk and can be resold for the original money plus a profit. Goodwill Stores and the Salvation Army Thrift shops can be another good source to buy these books inexpensively for resale. A check with the best seller list finds that people like romance and mystery. Men are fans of Westerns and War books, along with history novels.
Women like a quick read and will pick up romance novels. Older adults prefer novels and good mysteries. Keeping to these genres will prove to be successful in selling books.

Knickknacks do not sell well, but glassware does. Crystal dishes, candlesticks, and glasses are good sellers. Vendors from flea markets find these to their liking, also, and usually will make an offer to buy them. You can price glasses each or by the set. Dishes sell well, if they are in a set. Separate saucers, plates, and dinner plates are not good sellers individually, but in a set they will sell. Coffee mugs are not good sellers, since they have become so numerous. Plates, cups, or anything that has a motto on it, are not good sellers.

Furniture is a good seller. If you have a large piece of furniture, place it near the front of the yard sale. It will attract a crowd to the yard sale.

Artwork is not a good seller. People’s taste on artwork vary so much that these pieces must wait around for the right person.

Picture frames can be a good seller, if they are a little fancier than the ordinary plain Jane version.

Toys are “hot items” only if they are clean and in good condition. They have to be priced cheap, and you have to have patience when the children of the shoppers play with them. Stuffed animals are not good sellers.

Exercise equipment is passe. They are no longer the most sought after items.

Clothing is an “if-fie” item. Some people look for yard sales that feature clothing, but most of the times, clothing is one of the items that must be disposed of after the sale.

Remember the interest in Christmas items in the hot months is not at its highest. Try to sell seasonal merchandise at the time of the year that it is applicable.

Remember to price items higher so that you have room for negotiation with the purchaser.