A good garage sale takes about two weeks of prep. Pick your date and check permits two weeks out. Sort and price everything the week before, and advertise 3 to 5 days ahead. Get change and put up signs the day before. Use the checklist below, or print the chart and stick it on your fridge.
2 to 3 weeks before
- ☐ Pick your date. Saturdays in spring and early fall draw the most shoppers. See the best time for a garage sale.
- ☐ Check whether you need a permit. Many towns and HOAs have rules. Here’s how to find out: do you need a garage sale permit?
- ☐ Decide where to hold it: garage, driveway or yard. More on where to have a garage sale.
- ☐ Ask neighbors to join. A multi-family sale pulls in far more buyers. See our group garage sale tips.
- ☐ Start gathering items room by room into one spot.
1 week before
- ☐ Sort what to sell. Here’s what sells best and what not to sell.
- ☐ Clean and test items. Wipe things down and put batteries in anything electronic so buyers can see it works.
- ☐ Price everything. Use stickers or price by table. Our garage sale pricing guide has typical prices.
- ☐ Line up tables, racks and blankets. Borrow folding tables from friends or a church if you need them.
- ☐ Gather supplies (see the list below).
3 to 5 days before
- ☐ Post your ad on Craigslist, Facebook groups, Nextdoor and garage sale sites. Here’s how to post a garage sale on Craigslist and examples of garage sale ads that work.
- ☐ Make your signs with big, bold letters and arrows. See garage sale signs that work.
- ☐ Set up payment apps and print a QR code. Here’s how to take Venmo and Zelle.
The day before
- ☐ Get change from the bank: $100 to $150 in $1s and $5s plus quarters. Here’s how much change you need.
- ☐ Set up as much as you can in the garage so the morning goes fast. Our guide on how to set up your garage sale has layout tips.
- ☐ Put out signs in the evening, if your town allows it.
- ☐ Repost your ad so it’s near the top in the morning.
Day of the sale
- ☐ Set up early. Serious shoppers often show up before your start time.
- ☐ Keep your cash on you in a fanny pack or apron.
- ☐ Put your best items near the street where drivers can see them.
- ☐ Be ready to haggle. Here are our tips for negotiating.
- ☐ Cut prices in the last couple of hours, or try a “fill a bag” deal.
After the sale
- ☐ Take down every sign you put up.
- ☐ Donate unsold items right away so they don’t creep back into the house.
- ☐ Delete your online ads.
- ☐ Count your money. Most garage sale earnings aren’t taxable, but here’s when you pay taxes on garage sale earnings.
Garage sale supplies list
- ☐ Folding tables, clothing rack and blankets or tarps
- ☐ Price stickers, masking tape and markers
- ☐ Poster board, stakes or tape for signs
- ☐ Small bills and rolled quarters
- ☐ Fanny pack or apron for cash
- ☐ Phone with payment apps ready, and a printed QR code
- ☐ Plastic and paper bags, boxes and newspaper for wrapping
- ☐ Extension cord and batteries for testing electronics
- ☐ Tape measure for furniture buyers
- ☐ Calculator, water, snacks and sunscreen
Related: moving sale tips and garage sale safety tips.
FAQ
How far in advance should you plan a garage sale?
About two to three weeks gives you time to check permits, sort, price and advertise without rushing.
What day is best for a garage sale?
Saturday is the busiest day. Friday and Saturday together work well for bigger sales.
Is a garage sale worth it?
Usually, if you have enough to sell. Here’s how to decide whether you should have a garage sale or try one of these garage sale alternatives.