Yard and Tag Sales
Yard and tag sales, also known as garage or rummage sales, are informal events where individuals sell secondhand goods and personal items that are no longer needed, typically at their homes. Originating from open-air markets in the Middle Ages, the modern concept emerged in the twentieth century, gaining popularity as people sought to declutter their homes. Common items sold include clothing, furniture, toys, and household goods. The rise in home ownership post-World War II and the prosperity of the 1950s and 1960s contributed to the culture of yard sales in suburban America.
In recent years, the appeal of yard sales has been enhanced by online platforms like eBay and Craigslist, where sellers can showcase and sell items, sometimes for a profit. Social media has also made it easier for buyers to discover local sales and preview available items. Community events such as neighborhood garage sales have become popular, attracting visitors and boosting local tourism. While yard sales can provide a fun way to make extra money, many cities have regulations limiting their frequency to minimize disturbances to neighbors. For those wishing to sell regularly, flea markets and online venues may offer alternative options.
Yard and Tag Sales
The practice of selling secondhand goods and personal items that are no longer needed began with the open-air public markets of the Middle Ages, and has continued into the twenty-first century.
The modern yard sale (also called a garage, rummage, or tag sale) started in the twentieth century, when many people were looking for a way to rid their homes of excess clutter. A yard sale is generally held at a person's residence, most often on the front lawn, patio, or in the garage or driveway. Items for sale usually include clothes, appliances, furniture, books, toys and bric-a-brac that are no longer needed by the family.
With the economic expansion that occured at the end of World War II, there was an increase in home ownership in the United States. Many people moved away from large cities and towns and settled into the suburbs. The prosperity of the 1950s and 1960s brought about an increase in consumer goods, and the suburbs gave Americans a place to sell their excess goods.
Holding yard sales continued to be popular throughout the twentieth century. It became an accepted part of the American culture to go to yard sales on weekends during the spring, summer, and fall. Furnishing a dorm room or first apartment with garage sale items became customary behavior.
In the early twenty-first century, interest in yard sales increased along with the growth of online auction sites, such as eBay. Popular television shows such as Antiques Roadshow and Cash in the Attic turned garage sales into serious business. For many "garage salers," the appeal lies in the thrill of the hunt, and the possibility of finding a favorite collectible for a bargain price. For others, yard sales are an economical way to find common items such as household goods for a reasonable price. For antique dealers and eBay sellers, yard sales are an ideal way to find items for resale.
Trends
Since the introduction of online auctions and peer e-commerce sites such as Craigslist in the mid-1990s, garage sales have become increasingly popular. Many people buy items at tag sales and resell the items on eBay or Craigslist at a profit. Antique dealers will often visit garage sales, because people often are not aware of the value of the items they are selling.
Additionally, it has become even easier to locate garage and tag sales through posts and advertisements shared on social media sites such as Facebook as well as sites such as Craigslist. People can get a preview of the types of items being sold as pictures, videos, and descriptions can be uploaded and even geared toward a specific audience or posted on a dedicated sales or community group page. Sites such as Facebook and those dedicated to promoting yard sales are typically also accessible on smartphones through mobile applications, allowing people to locate several local sales and map a route while they are out.
Another trend in garage sales is the yearly neighborhood garage sale. Several communities across the United States advertise themselves as having the "largest" garage sale, and information about these sales can be found online. For some communities, this has vastly increased tourism. Some garage sale fanatics plan their vacations around these "largest" or "biggest" garage sales.
Yard & Tag Sales for Fun vs. Profit
Yard sales are a fun way to make extra money by getting rid of excess stuff. In most cities, it is illegal to have yard sales every weekend. The extra traffic, noise, and commotion can be considered a nuisance to neighbors as well as a code violation.
For sellers interested in holding regular yard sales, it would be best to look into renting a space at a flea market. Flea markets are indoor or outdoor venues that rent out spaces where people can sell their garage sale items, often year-round. Frequent sellers also have the option to use online venues to reach buyers.
Learning More
Books
Garage Sale & Flea Market Annual. 17th ed., Collector Books, 2009.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. Good Things from Tag Sales and Flea Markets. Clarkson Potter/Publishers, 2002.
Prisant, Carol. Antiques Roadshow Primer. Workman Publishing Company, 1999.
Schroeder, John D. Garage Sale Fever! DeForest Press, 2005.
Schroy, Ellen T., editor. Warman's Flea Market Price Guide. KP Books, 2005.
Wells, Dick. Your Hidden Money! How to Have Your Own Profitable Yard, Garage, Block or Estate Sale. AZTEX Corporation, 2000.