Cheapism is editorially independent. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site.

Money

These Are the Items People Will Fight You For at a Garage Sale

Published

•

By

Clothes rack, old-fashioned suitcases, garden tools and interior goods selling at garage market in backyard
shironosov/istockphoto

When yard sale season hits, you know it’s time to start fighting crowds for cheap crap. Just kidding; you can legit find some fantastic deals at garage sales. Whether you’re wondering what types of items you should hone in on at a sale before someone else snaps it up, or you’re putting together your own yard sale, here’s what’s hot on the tag sale scene. 

Related: Turn Your Clutter Into Cash With 7 Proven Garage Sale Pricing Tips

Tools

Tools hanging at a carpentry workshop - DIY concepts
Hispanolistic/istockphoto

From hammers to saws, tools sell well at garage sales. Power tools like drills and sanders are also popular, especially during yard work season when people are looking for these types of items. If you’re selling, be sure to have a power strip available for customers to test electric tools out.

Related: Garage Sale vs. Estate Sale: What’s the Difference?

Vintage Dishes

Vintage china tea cups on a dusty pink background
pamela_d_mcadams/istockphoto

Those old dishes that are just taking up space? The plates you inherited that you hate? They may be a treasure for someone else’s collection.

For more secondhand shopping tips, please sign up for our free newsletters.

Costume Jewelry

Old and broken jewelry and on Euro banknotes on dark background. Sell gold for money concept.
vasantytf/istockphoto

Costume jewelry is a fun buy for many people. As with dishware, what’s not your cup of tea may be a major score for someone else. 

Books

Library, research and row of books on bookshelf for reading, knowledge and educational learning. University bookstore, information and zoom of shelves with textbook, academic journal or literature
Kobus Louw/istockphoto

A perfect chance to grab some summertime beach reads. Cheap books (think under $1) are popular finds, especially when they are bestsellers or classics.

Sports Gear

Series of isolated suitcases, suited for different holidays: Skiing
Maartje van Caspel/istockphoto

Skis, golf clubs, and other sports gear do well at garage sales. Most people who are causal participants in these types of sports recognize that its worth getting something cheap if only using on occasion.

Trending on Cheapism

Bikes and Scooters

blue modern men´s mid drive motor city touring or trekking e bike pedelec with electric engine middle mount. battery powered ebike isolated on white background. Innovation transportation concept.
Grafner/istockphoto

Old bikes and scooters in good working condition are great garage sale grabs. Kids’ bikes are usually a hot ticket as well. 

Furniture

Vintage stool isolated on white background. Antique three legs chair. Single object with clipping path
firina/istockphoto

Old dining room sets, wooden chairs, patio furniture  — all of these items are big sellers.

Handbags

Colorful purses in the market.
baona/istockphoto

Purses from mid-range designer brands that are in good condition can be popular at garage sales. Vintage finds are also worth selling or buying.

Collectibles

Mixed stuff at the flea market near Viennas famous Naschmarkt, Austria
Leonsbox/istockphoto

Some people adore figurines, so what looks like junk to you may be exactly what someone else needs to add to their collection.

Meet the Writer


Jennifer Magid

Jennifer Magid has worked as a writer and editor in publishing and marketing for almost two decades. She has written for outlets ranging from InStyle magazine to Psychology Today and for a number of grocery and personal care brands. Jennifer is frugal by proxy: She is married to a certified cheapskate, which has been good for her wallet but bad for her shoe and handbag collections. These days, she never, ever buys her fashions at full price. Jennifer holds a Master’s in Journalism from New York University. She lives in Connecticut with her family and an admittedly expensive-to-maintain standard poodle — the one anomaly in her cheap lifestyle. Find out more about Jennifer at www.jennifermagid.com. You can reach her at [email protected].

“

More posts from category