Best day EVER! Garage Sale Trail

Garage Sale Trail is my annual retale therapy. That’s not a typo. There’s often a tale to be told when you buy items preloved from the previous owner, and that adds value and interest for me.

Which response do you find more interesting to “Love your jacket.”
“Thanks. Bought it on sale at [big box store].”

or
“Thanks so much. Would you believe I found this pure wool Norway Dale jacket, perfect for our white Christmas adventures, at a beachside garage sale. The original owner who is Norwegian, brought it with her when she moved to Canberra, then realised that kind of warmth wasn’t needed here in Australia, so she gave to her friend to sell at their Mollymook charity fundraiser.”

Top tips for sellers

1. Gather early

Start preparing the items you want to sell early, otherwise you’re bound to kick yourself when you open a cupboard full of excess a week after the sale.

2. Know your objective

Be clear on your purpose. Are you doing this to make money or to clear some space. That will guide your pricing, and approach to negotiations.

3. Be clear

When you register at GST, try to give a clear idea of the type of items you’re selling. This helps you attract the right buyers. You can come back and edit your listing on the GST website all the way up to the day.

4. Promote your sale!

The Garage Sale Trail generates a lot of media attention, so ride that wave. When you sign up, you get access to posters, social tiles, how to- guides – all developed to help you promote your sale.

Pop posters on street corners, at the local shops, outside the local school, on local Facebook groups, tell the neighbours.

5. Don’t put the unsold items away

You got them out for a reason – to move them on out. My three-prong approach is:

• leave them out front for a couple of hours after the sale with a FREE sign (weather depending)
• offer them on your local online communities
• do a REcheck to see what destinations you can find.

Top tips for shoppers

1. Love a list

Start with a list of things you need/want. It can be overwhelming otherwise. That’s not to say you can’t stray from the list if you something super! I start my Christmas shopping at GST days.

You’ll also need a list of sales. You can set this up on the Garage Sale Trail website closer to the time. It’s a good way of focussing your energies. Days go quickly – there’s no time to waste at a sale of kids’ items if you don’t have any kids in your life.

2. Take a navigator

A friend is more fun, but if yours aren’t interested, your phone’s Maps app will do the job. I enter all the addresses into a multiple stops route on Maps and then follow that for the day.

3. Take the kids.

It’s an excellent way to introduce them to the fun of treasure hunting. Make it fun for them by writing up a check list of treasure for them to search for at each of the sales (or download ours). Pop it on a clipboard and send them on their way. It keeps them focussed and happy while you hunt for items on your list.

4. Take snacks and drinks.

It’s hard work – you need to keep your energy up.

5. Take coins and small notes.

Most sales are set up for PayPal or some cashless systems, however when your total only comes to $2, bank fees seem an unnecessary inconvenience.

Pop it in your diary

You can get involved from anywhere in Australia and take part on one day or more over two big weekends. Garage Sale Trail happens next on 8-9 & 15-16 November 2025.

Sign up as a seller or a shopper at www.garagesaletrail.com.au