Garage Sale Guide

1. Choose dates and sort your items

Pick dates and clear opening and closing times. Check your local permit, neighborhood and sign rules before advertising. Make a weather backup plan, then separate items into sell, keep, donate and recycle groups.

Clean items, check that they work and set aside anything you cannot safely sell. Keep personal documents, account information and family photos out of sale boxes; erase personal data from electronics.

2. Price before sale day

Use visible labels and group inexpensive items into clearly priced bundles. Compare similar used items and adjust for condition. Our Price Tool offers a starting estimate; it is not an appraisal or a guarantee of what an item will sell for.

Decide your lowest acceptable prices and whether you want to offer a final-hour discount. Keep a short price list for larger items so everyone helping gives the same answer.

3. Photograph and post your sale

• Take clear photos of the actual items in good light. Avoid showing private documents, people or valuables that are not for sale.
• Write a specific title and list the main item categories, sizes and condition. Mention useful details such as parking, stairs and accepted payment methods.
• Enter the correct location, dates and hours. For a multi-day sale, describe each day's hours in the listing.
• Sign in and choose Post Sale to publish for free. Review it afterward and use My Listings to correct details or remove a canceled sale.

4. Make it easy to find and browse

Use the Sign Designer to make readable signs with a short message, dates and clear arrows. Place them only where permitted and remove them after the sale. Keep entrances, sidewalks and emergency access clear.

Group similar items on stable tables, mark anything that is not for sale and keep fragile or sharp items out of children's reach. Have a way to test electronics when practical.

5. Prepare for shoppers and payments

Have change, bags, packing material and a charged phone ready. Agree on roles with anyone helping. Keep your cash and personal belongings secure, and keep private parts of your home closed to shoppers.

Confirm digital payments in your own payment app before handing over an item. Do not rely on a buyer's screenshot or follow unexpected payment links.

6. Close out your sale

Remove signs, update or delete your listing, and sort leftovers for donation, recycling or storage. Check donation acceptance rules before dropping items off. Record what sold and what you would change next time.