Do you try to talk people down at garage sales?

[gmyers]

I went to one yesterday and boy were some of the people rude. One lady kept saying really loudly God these prices are high. Nothing wrong with trying to get something cheaper but some of the prices were already so low I thought if you can't afford that then you don't need to be here. I'd be surprised if she made any money off it.

[Kimberly61]

I only talk someone down on the price if I know that I can buy brand new at the store for a small amount more, but generally I dont ask if they would take less because the prices are already low and reasonable........I have been at yard sales before that the prices were just out there and I just didnt buy anything because of that.

[calynn]

What I really hate are those people who will try to talk you down on everything. I don't mind one or 2, but I figure I put the price I want on there and if you don't want to pay it, fine. I will NOT come down on everything. My dh says that is part of a garage sale, but I don't agree. I don't try to get stuff cheaper when I go and I sometimes think I should mark my stuff up so then I can get what I want when I am talked down(LOL). And then I just love it when you have something marked for say a dollar and they will talk you down to 50 cents and then had you a dollar!!!!!! Anyway, just my take. I sometimes think the older I get the less patience I have for garage sales(LOL)

[gmyers]

The lady had a really nice 44 piece set of dishes which hedn't been opened and which included silverware and glasses too for $20 one lady wanted her to take $8 for it. And she had a pretty cookie jar for only $3.50 the lady tried to talk her down to $2. No matter how low her prices were they wanted her to go lower. I started to tell the lady that she ought to tell them if I wanted to give it away for nothing I wouldn't be having a garage sale.

[Shancopp]

yep, it's part of the fun. But only if I think it is marked too high. But if I'm having one, I hate being asked! LOL! But I always (well, just about always) say ok.

Dumb ones I get are Will you take a dime? when it is marked a quarter???


WHAT REALLY PIZZES ME OFF....WHEN I GET STOLEN FROM AT MY GARAGE SALES. Some jackazz stole a brand new watch out of the leather watch case. Didn't even realize it til we were packing it in and dh asked why I had a watch case marked so high? I said, cuz that's a new name brand watch...and he informed me it was gone.

I remember seeing a dude pic it up and check it out. I know it was him, bastage!

[gmyers]

I don't see anything wrong with getting a better price but I think its a little rude when the prices are really low to begin with. That one lady wanted a lower price on everything.

[Unicornmom77]

Yes I usually always do! lol

I try to be polite and if they counter offer I almost always accept!

One time we went to a garage sale and it was in October, getting cold, not many more weekends left if any. These older ladies were packing up and I had picked out items that added up to $14 but I only had $8 left. I offered and they said no, so I had to leave the items. I felt disappointed because they were packing up, if it would have been me I would have happily taken something instead of nothing...

Just me though! :D

I cannot wait for Garage sale season to start here!! That is how I got nearly every item I use daily in my day care! I cannot wait to go again!! COME ON SPRING!!

[PrincessArky]

I dont normally unless I know it is too high but usually if one thing is too high at a sale then everything will be and I always remember those and dont go to them in the future.........neither do most ppl around here

[Army-Mom]

I dont get to go to yard sales anymore but I used to love going and I didnt try and talk them down, if I didnt want to pay that price I would just leave it..

[cab1277]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with trying to make a good deal even better. IF you follow certain protocol.

1. Always be polite with your offer.
2. Never insult the host/hostess by complaining about their prices
3. If you make an offer and it is accepted be prepared to pay for it in cash.
4. Generally speaking, when making an offer keep it at 50% or more of their asking price.

You should not be afraid to make offers. Many people having garage sales just want to get rid of the stuff. As a host/hostess don't let it get to you. If you don't like their offer but will take less than your asking price make a polite counter-offer. Most true bargain (garage) sale shoppers expect this anyway. If I sense hostility from the host/hostess I will just leave. Another note for the host/hostess: Always try to greet people politely when they show up. There is nothing more annoying to me than standoffish people who eyeball me when I show up but refuse to speak to me. It makes me uncomfortable. If you are polite upfront it encourages communication and buyers will ask questions and make offers rather than simply leaving you with your junk.

I do not always try to talk people down. Sometimes the deal is just so good that I don't even bother.

[Willow]

I haven't been to a yard sale in over 15 years but when I did go I never asked them if they would take less. I figured the prices were low enough already and I was getting a good deal on it so why ask the person if they would take less.

[Adra]

My take on it--I have had yardsales and I do it when we need the money for dr bills and sometimes just groceries. I hate having them because so many people ask for a lower price. I do not live extravagantly, we do not have a fancy house or car. Yet people drive up in brand new cars and try to get me to lower my price. I always say no. I need the money at that time


If I wanted to just get rid of the items I would donate to the disabilities workshop, a locl group that uses mentally challenged people to sort, clean, hang and display items so they can have extra money.

For people to ask me to lower my price so they can get a "deal" is insulting to me especially when they already have nicer than I have.

If they can not pay what I ask they need to go somewhere else.

[freeby4me]

I've really only asked once, it was last summer on a toaster, a four slice toaster. She wanted 7 bucks for it and I only had a ten dollar bill, 5 of which was for my son. I asked her if she would take five and she did. I think it was because the slices of bread wouldnt actually go down all the way, you have to flip them over half way during toasting, what she didnt realize was after a few uses it works perfectly LOL

[bpl76]

I have had several and people are just weird. I always have a bunch of stuff I just put free on and people avoid it like the plague. But what is funny, the last two or three hours of the sale I always just say $2.00 a bag, whatever you can put in it. THEN all the free stuff disappears. Go figure. LOL

[cab1277]

My take on it--I have had yardsales and I do it when we need the money for dr bills and sometimes just groceries. I hate having them because so many people ask for a lower price. I do not live extravagantly, we do not have a fancy house or car. Yet people drive up in brand new cars and try to get me to lower my price. I always say no. I need the money at that time


If I wanted to just get rid of the items I would donate to the disabilities workshop, a locl group that uses mentally challenged people to sort, clean, hang and display items so they can have extra money.

For people to ask me to lower my price so they can get a "deal" is insulting to me especially when they already have nicer than I have.

If they can not pay what I ask they need to go somewhere else.

I think you are being overly sensitive. You shouldn't take it as an insult. It's all part of the process. If you don't want to lower your price just say politely no I really need to get that amount for it. Sometimes people are willing to pay that price anyway. Your not serving your purpose by upsetting people and having them leave you with no money and your items that you'll just have to pack away again. People will most likely remember someone with a bad attitude and not come back.Also it could backfire if other buyers are present. If I hear a seller being rude to another customer I will most likely not even bother with them. Some people really just shouldn't have garage sales. Negative people can ruin the whole experience for all involved.

[ladybugva]

it depends on the item. If it's a small item and already reasonably priced I will just pay for it. If it's a larger item or if I have a lot of stuff I may ask for a group discount. I don't like asking, that just my personality. I do know that when I have them I expect people to ask me to budge on my prices. some times I do some times not depends on what it is.

I have had people steal from me and that just burns my buns. Some times it was only a few dollars but, really, why steal it?? I have a TUN of stuff to have a yard sale this spring, hope it all goes, I want it gone but I could use the cash to get stuff for the house so I want to sell it before i donate it.

[cab1277]

I have had several and people are just weird. I always have a bunch of stuff I just put free on and people avoid it like the plague. But what is funny, the last two or three hours of the sale I always just say $2.00 a bag, whatever you can put in it. THEN all the free stuff disappears. Go figure. LOL

Wow that is weird. Whenever I have a "free item box" there is usually one who will ask if they can have the whole box. Most of the time I say yes, I don't want the stuff anyway. Although I usually keep a "free toy box" too for the shoppers with kids. Those are one per child unless its the end of the day then I try and give the whole thing away to get rid of it.

[magenta]

We had one last summer, this guy came he kept asking "will you take a dime for this?" For stuff like DVDs, PS2 & Game Cube games. My cousin had out tons of baby stuff, bouncers, a swing etc. Yeah right will sell it to ya for dime dip****! He left.

[bpl76]

Wow that is weird. Whenever I have a "free item box" there is usually one who will ask if they can have the whole box. Most of the time I say yes, I don't want the stuff anyway. Although I usually keep a "free toy box" too for the shoppers with kids. Those are one per child unless its the end of the day then I try and give the whole thing away to get rid of it.


I guess people around here are just a bit strange. The first time it happened my brother and I were just in hysterics. I always have the free toy box for kids, also. That I don't have any problem with.

[LuvBigRip]

It depends, if it is a small ticket item, rarely. If it is something bigger, almost always. I usually have a set price I want to spend in my head, if they will come down to that, great, if not, I will rarely spend more than I wanted to. There will always be another sale. Now if it is something I really want, or have to have, then I may consider spending more.

[Adra]

I am not rude-I simply say "I'm sorry, I can't" most of the time they do not stop, and they say things like well you must not want to sell your items very bad. They go to their friends and say things. And all becuse I will not reduce prices that are already low. Trust me I do not have yardsales for the fun of it or as a hobby. I do it because I need the money.

When I go to yardsales, I take into account that the person took the TIME to gather the items togeather and think of an acceptible price. THey take the TIME to put the items out and they give their TIME to put up signs and watch for out for those that want to secretly get a pocket discount. If a price is not on an item I will ask and if it is more than I think I can pay I smile and say thank you and walk away. If they want to reduce the price they will call me back and suggest a lower price.

[dv8grl]

I usually make DH haggle. It usually works better if I get a few items, then round down.
Some sales, people act like just because they paid $50 for something doesn't mean its worth $25. We just laugh at those people & walk off...

[Heidi]

No never and I HATE it when people try to talk my prices down. If I have a yard sale I set the prices really low.

[BigLyd1]

I don't try to talk people down on their prices. I had a garage sale recently only because my mom wanted to get rid of some stuff. I hate having them because people are rude and they want something for nothing. One lady said it was for her "poor babies." So I didn't know if she really was that poor or if she's actually from some million dollar neighborhood. BTW it was so busy then that I didn't see what kind of car she got into... LOL.

[tigger4]

I will on high ticket items, but not on low ticket items.

Garage sale prices here are weird. People want $5.00 for used tshirts.

I hate (and I know this is going to sound so bad) when the Russian immigrants come to my garage sales. They always want to pay a dime for everything. Brand new shoes, lawn furniture, tv's they don't care they want to pay a dime.

But, if you go to one of their garage sales they want a fortune for things. $500 for a 20 inch tv (I am not kidding).

[jayhawkfan]

I dont very often. But my DH will.

When we have a sale I never take less on the first day. Usually we have the sale Friday afternoon and then Sat morning. On Sat if I still have alot of stuff i will glady take less. I would rather get something, than nothing and have to pack up all the crap at the end of the day LOL

[MDMooch]

i'd kind of feel bad haggling, unless it was like a big amount worth haggling over (like an old tv, an old computer, something like that). twenty bucks or less... i'd say suck it up

[Jackie_Blu]

I LOVE garage sales (going to them, not having them lol) and I, too, am excitedly awaiting the season! I cant say I have ever tried to talk someone down on anything. Most already have their prices set very reasonable. I may someday, tho, if I see some big item I cant live without.:)

[gmyers]

Thats something I noticed too. The ones that wanted the prices for almost nothing were driving new suv's or new double cab trucks. My husband laughs and says thats how they can afford the nice cars. They're probably good at talking people out of things for almost nothing.

[Bizkitman]

I used to go to yard sales with my ex wife, we would only try to bargain them down, if we thought it was a little too high. We know if you are having a yard sale, its usually because you need some extra cash. We used to have a monthly yard sale ourselves, and it drove us nuts when someone would try to talk us down on something that, you knew darn well , was so dirt cheap already. I still go to yard sales when I'm in the states, you never know what you will find at them.
It's a shame they don't have them over here in Iraq/Kuwait.... I'll be getting home in May, which is perfect timing for the beginning of the season....

[kimp67]

At my yardsales I usually mark my stuff up a little more than I really want for it & let ppl talk me down lol

[MamaArc]

I don't usually ask, if I don't think it's worth what they are asking I will go to another and try to find it cheaper.

[Memedav]

I don't go to alot of yard/garage sales, usually because on Saturday I just want to sleep in a bit, then with the kids getting up, breakfast....next thing you know it's the afternoon. But last week Fiona and I were at a Thrift store (her favorite pastime!) and someone was caught shoplifting 4 forks lol

I've had a few yard sales and I don't mind if someone tries to haggle a little bit, but if something is only $1 or $2...don't try to get it for any cheaper...unless your buying a lot more. That does irk me. Last summer we had one and my nephews gave me a bunch of American Eagle/Abercrombie jeans and shirts to sell for them. I think I had the jeans at around $5 and t's were probably $3. I felt that was really cheap for practically new AE stuff. Anyway, some woman strolls in and grabs 4-5 jeans and a handful of shirts and casually strolls over to me and hands me 82 cents! She just sweetly said, "Thanks" and turned to walk away. Sorry, but that dog don't hunt! lol I gave her the change back and told her what she REALLY owed me. Of course she left in a huff and without anything lol

[gmyers]

I don't go to alot of yard/garage sales, usually because on Saturday I just want to sleep in a bit, then with the kids getting up, breakfast....next thing you know it's the afternoon. But last week Fiona and I were at a Thrift store (her favorite pastime!) and someone was caught shoplifting 4 forks lol

I've had a few yard sales and I don't mind if someone tries to haggle a little bit, but if something is only $1 or $2...don't try to get it for any cheaper...unless your buying a lot more. That does irk me. Last summer we had one and my nephews gave me a bunch of American Eagle/Abercrombie jeans and shirts to sell for them. I think I had the jeans at around $5 and t's were probably $3. I felt that was really cheap for practically new AE stuff. Anyway, some woman strolls in and grabs 4-5 jeans and a handful of shirts and casually strolls over to me and hands me 82 cents! She just sweetly said, "Thanks" and turned to walk away. Sorry, but that dog don't hunt! lol I gave her the change back and told her what she REALLY owed me. Of course she left in a huff and without anything lol

Good grief! Did she really think you'd let her have all that for 82 cents. She must have a screw loose. Thats ridiculous. That would have ticked me off big time.

[vicky122]

I will talk them down unless I think it is a fair price. I think to to myself what I would ask for if I was selling it. Thats part of the fun. Also when I have a sell my prices are marked just for that reason if someone wants to make a deal. If I think the are going way under I will go in the middle . If they don't want it then thats ok.