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Top tips to turn your stash to cash

On average, sellers make $857 by hosting a sale on the Garage Sale Trail. That’s a tidy sum for stuff you don’t use or want anymore. If you’re serious about making money at your garage sale, there are a few tips you might want to follow...


Price to clear

Hike up the prices on your really special stuff but otherwise price to clear. Consider creating a table for items of a certain value or use a pricing chart with coloured stickers to make it super easy for shoppers to buy.


Location, location, location

The most successful garage sales take place on busy roads with good parking. If that’s not your place, consider using a mate’s place or join one of the group sales on the Trail.


Tell people you're involved

List your garage sale event for free on the Garage Sale Trail website (registrations open in Spring 2024), and promote your sale on your socials.  Be sure to tag @GarageSaleTrail, and use #garagesaletrail so we can help spread the word too.


Get those signs out, baby

Big, bold and bright signage is everything on sale day. Place them in areas that are busy over the weekend like main roads and cafes. Be sure to include the essentials (date, time and location) and use directional arrows too. Or chalk those pavements baby.


Provide cash-free alternatives

If you have a PayPal account you can accept touch-free payments with PayPal QR codes without needing to exchange cash or credit card details. No special equipment is needed, just the PayPal app (apple | android) and a smartphone.

Make your display pretty

Put your best stuff front and centre to lure in the shoppers. Organise items by category or colour to make your sale super eye-catching and unmissable.


Use tables and clothing rails if you can but also think about what’s already there. Hang items on your fence, string rope rails between trees, even your trusty Hills Hoist can come in handy.


Bundle deals

Be prepared to haggle and use the classic bundling trick to make the most of it. “Oh you want that $15 item for $10, how about you give me $15 and I’ll throw in that book you’ve been eyeing off.” Never fails.


Make a lucky dip

Wrap small items in newspaper or offcuts of cotton fabric and make a lucky dip. Charge punters $5 for one or $10 for three items. It’s a surefire way to clear stuff you’re not sure will sell.


Garage Sale Trail, Australia's biggest festival of pre-loved stuff, returns on 9-10 & 16-17 November 2024. Join the wait list to get exclusive early bird access.