My friend and I have our annual yard sale every year. Sometimes it is early summer, sometimes it is late summer Of course, we sell typical items: kids clothes, women’s clothes, toys, books…
The usual yard sale items make up the bulk of our sale, but there is always something unusual that sells that never fails to surprise me.
Eleven Surprising Things that You Can Sell at Yard Sales
Here are eleven of the most surprising things I’ve found that sell at yard sales. I also think a few of them are just a bit weird and gross as well!
It just goes to show you that the old saying “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure” is so true!
If you have found yourself wondering what to sell in your yard sale, I hope this list can help you find new things to put in it to make it even more successful! Maybe you have some items around the house you would have never dreamed of putting out for sale until this list!
1) Used lotions and shampoos.
I think this is just one of those weird yard sale items!
One of the early years we set up, my friend had a ton of name brand smelly lotions that maybe only had 1/4th of the bottle gone. I thought to myself that she would never sell them. Sure enough, she sold EVERY SINGLE BOTTLE.
Lesson learned! The next year, I hauled in the half-used lotions I was either tired of or didn’t like once I opened them. Sure enough, they sold.
Not only do half-used lotions and soaps sell, but they are some of the first things to go!
2) Extension cords.
We always have a handful of men who stop looking for power tools. However, what I have found very surprising is that they also like extension cords. I would have never thought about selling these until I watched my friends get bought up in record time.
3) Underwear and bras.
I decided last year to sell my bras. I honestly didn’t think they would sell. I had lost 30 lbs, though, and they no longer fit. I sold EVERY SINGLE ONE.
I also am always floored by the people who buy our children’s used underwear. We tend to sell them in bags grouped together.
Yard Sale Tip: You will find we group a lot of things together. It really helps sell things and also keep things neat and tidy.
4) Used candles.
This is another thing I’ve seen my friend set out and I think to myself “will never sell”, and sure enough it does!
I can’t figure out why someone would want a half-used candle but I guess it smells the same regardless?
5) Pillows and bedding.
I’m not really sure why you’d want a used pillow but these sell well! At least with bedding, I feel like you could launder it in very hot water and it is fairly sterile.
I’ve found that children’s bedding sells very well, even more so than the adult stuff.
6) Larger sizes.
I have another friend who does very well with large sizes in her yard sales and says they are her best selling items. Not only with clothing that are plus sizes, but with large sizes in shoes! She says they always sell out quickly with these items!
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7) Makeup samples
This is another thing that just blows my mind. Makeup samples sell great!
I get a lot of makeup samples from the makeup counter. After I make my purchase, they’ll often slip a sample or two in my bag, and I don’t use half of what they give me. My sensitive and fair (basically translucent skin) doesn’t tend to be something I can use random products on.
My friend and I have started bundling the samples together and they go quick.
8) Used Makeup
Speaking of makeup….. Used makeup. That half bottle of foundation you have decided just goes on too thick? Throw it in the sale! Someone will buy it!
Yep. I actually think it’s gross, but other people apparently don’t.
(That being said, can I just ask – please please please don’t buy or sell used mascara! Don’t share eye germs! I’ve seen people buying used mascara at yard sales before and it’s just not sanitary friends! Don’t do it! Old mascara should always go in a garbage can! Sorry, the nurse in me had to go off on a tangent. *end rant*)
9) Hotel Toiletries
This is another thing we like to bundle! My friend will have a stray bottle of shampoo or conditioner from a hotel that wasn’t used and just put them all together to sell. People love them.
Particular hotel toiletries can do better than others. Any toiletries from Disney do extremely well.
10) Hair Brushes
We’ve sold quite a few hairbrushes in our time. I’m not sure why these are appealing, yet they almost always sell.
11) Cardboard Anything
I’ve had someone ask me if they could buy the cardboard boxes I stored something in. I also had a friend sell a whole container full of toilet paper rolls that she was intending to use for crafts and never did.
So, cardboard sells! (I’ve also read it sells on eBay like crazy too!)
What have you sold at yard sales that have shocked you when it’s bought up quickly? Or have you seen items at yards sales that have surprised you?
I’ve purchased some of these rando things. Used candles? used scent? Gives me a chance to try it out a few times. Used makeup I’ve used in art stuff, like dusting a glittery eye shadow over wet acrylic or tempera paint. Pillows and bedding? Hot wash and use for my pets. I also bought some very used lingerie once because I wanted to make a pattern. Yeah, that didn’t happen. Oh, and I bought a used cat litter pan to hold the plants I bought at an earlier sale that day.
My auntie sold a new in box toilet seat once, and I’m sure I’ve sold extra plumbing parts. Ya never know what will strike some people’s fancy.
It truly is what is one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!!! And I love the idea of eye shadow in painting… I think some people use it to make watercolor pigment!
I trimmed my willow tree and sold the trimmings in a vase… I thought cheap plants would go but nope!
WOW!! I’ll remember this next yard sale!