Yard Sale Items.... Would You Buy?

Updated on May 08, 2011
A.R. asks from Rush City, MN
25 answers

Next weekend I am having a yard sale, because I have baby stuff galore and am done having kids. I went garage sailing today and saw some crazy items for sale like used nuks and things like that, but I have an over abundance of Similac Formula and and also the liquid Similac formula that is all unopened and doesn't expire til 08/2012. I breastfeed and have no use for it so would it be weird to sell it at my garage sale or should I just donate it to a local food shelf?

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A.G.

answers from Mansfield on

I would donate it to the tornado victims. I heard on the news that they are in need of diapers and formula.

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

I would donate it. You might be able to sell it, but it would do more good for someone who really NEEDS it :)

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Soap works, for all the germiphobes out there...if you drop the pacifier on the ground do you throw it away? If it touches the plate of food? Good grief, soap works and if you don't think it works as well as you'd like then put a couple of tablespoons of bleach in a gallon of water and let it soak.

As for the formula, if it doesn't sell at the garage sale then call the food pantries and see what they say about accepting it. I probably wouldn't buy it just because I don't trust people to not tamper with things like that. That's just me though. You could always ask around too and see if anyone has any friends with a newborn. They might take it too.

More Answers

T.B.

answers from Bloomington on

You could list it on Craigslist to sell, but it would be unlikely that you'd happen to have a garage sale customer looking for formula. Also a tip: List your garage sale on Craigslist with a list of items and pics of some of your best items the day before your sale.

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T.W.

answers from Boston on

I would definitely donate the formula to someone who could really use it. :)

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

Donate it to an abused women's shelter

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L.D.

answers from Las Vegas on

You would be amazed by what people would be willing to buy at a garage sale. My husband put out a pair of his boxers to sale at one of our garage sales several years back as a joke. Some woman bought them for a dollar. I say go ahead and try to sell the formula and, if no one picks them up, then go ahead and donate them to a local shelter.

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L.M.

answers from New York on

I would sell it at the yard sale.

K.L.

answers from Redding on

I donated formula and diapers to the mission when my grand daughter no longer needed them and they are thrilled to get them. Homeless people have babys who need to eat too. If you do put it on Craigslist be prepared to be slammed for trying to make a profit off your "WIC" allotment. I see formula there all the time and sure enough someone will blast them for trying to cheat the system without ever knowing the whole story. But if you can get some cash for it at the sale, go for it! If not, donating will make you feel real good. Ive seen old stretched out thong underware at garage sales,, ewww.

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T.F.

answers from San Francisco on

I donated the cans I got free after having my daughter. But I see nothing wrong if the money will help you and you sell it.

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M.M.

answers from Washington DC on

Either way. I would donate it to my church's food pantry.

L.A.

answers from Austin on

I think anyone who buys formula at a garage sale needs it as bad as anyone else. Try to sell it and if it does not sell donate it,. I have sold half used deodorant, shampoos, toothpaste. all sort of products. It is pretty obvious these people were thrilled to be able to purchase it for so cheap.

M..

answers from St. Louis on

I would donate it, you probably got it for free right?

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

There is NO WAY ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH I would buy a used paci!!

I didn't have formula - however, I wouldn't sell it at a yard sale - I would either donate it or sell it on ebay....if it has a bar code on it - take it back to the store and get store credit for it....personally - i would donate it if you aren't worried about making money on it....

when having your garage sale - make sure that your toys are arranged "age level" together as well as the clothes - I put them in laundry baskets and TRIED to ensure there was something between each basket so the clothes woudn't get mixed up - like the toys for that age - every other basket....

make sure things are priced to sell and clearly marked....

GOOD LUCK!!!

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L.W.

answers from Cincinnati on

reason you are having the sale is to make money....whether it was free or not. You could put it on craigslist or Ebay for sale(either way be VERy descriptive ..not opened, expires 2012 etc) Trust me, someone will buy it as long as its not expired and they can save 20%+ of the original cost.
If its not worth your time, then donate it...I would try to sell it first though..thats what we are doing next weekend..I took pix of everything and if we sell it...great..if not its donated and I will claim the donated items on our 2011 tax return

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B.C.

answers from Phoenix on

Yes, sell it. I use to buy this stuff at the 2nd hand kids store or on craigslist.

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R.Y.

answers from New York on

I would donate the formula and sell the rest of the gear. Maybe a DV shelter in your area would like it. I would buy some gear from a yard sale but not a used paci or bottle (one still in a package would be fine). I would also not take a used car seat unless I got it from someone I knew and trusted. If you have Freecycle in your area you can probably find homes for everything that doesn't sell.

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M.D.

answers from Minneapolis on

I had better luck selling formula on craigslist, I got replies within 30 minutes.

L.M.

answers from Dover on

Either is fine as long as they are unopened, not tampered with, and not expired.

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S.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Personally, I probably wouldn't buy because I would be concerned for how it has been kept/stored, including if it's sitting out in the sun the day of your sale. It would be wonderful if you were to donate it to a shelter, non-profit, church, etc... When I worked at a non-profit, there were so many moms that came to groups and didn't provide formula for their babies, it was so helpful when we received donations and we used it right up for the babies. Good luck with your sale.

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Well, your garage sale is way before it expires. You never know what people are looking for...

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D.R.

answers from New York on

i dont think its weird, i sold a bunch on ebay and donated some....

C.B.

answers from Kansas City on

who's to say someone who would buy it at a garage sale doesn't truly need it? especially at a discounted price! i see no problem trying to gain at least a fraction of your purchase price back. yes, if it doesn't sell, then donate it. OR if you are looking for a cause to donate it to it would do nicely. up to you, but yes i have seen some crazy things at garage sales. one man's junk is another man's treasure, after all!

L.L.

answers from Rochester on

I have a feeling that since you breastfed, you didn't go out and buy a bunch of formula. Like me...my baby who is now one is still exclusively breastfed, but I do have ten cans of formula that I got from WIC because my intent WAS to wean her due to infection...but it cleared up so I just stored the formula. It would technically be fraud to turn around and sell it.

Even if you wouldn't be committing fraud, I think the right thing to do with the food/formula is to donate it to a local food shelf or women's center, etc. There are many mother's who could use it.

However, on the other stuff, go wild! :) I'm having my garage sale in a few weeks and I can't wait to get rid of the...swing, bouncer, infant seat, carseat, 200 onesies, etc...you get the idea. The onesies are going for a quarter apiece, and they're all like new! I can't wait! :)

M.C.

answers from Pocatello on

I would donate the formula...

Anything that is used baby stuff should be freshly washed or sanitized. If you are selling baby gear like swings, cribs, etc... write a post-it note saying the year it was purchased, how many kids used it, and any features (for example: does a crib convert to a toddler bed and daybed?) Depending on your state, car-seats may be illegal to resell- so double check before you do that.

Baby stuff is HOT at yard sales in my town, especially gently used stuff. I have really liked yard sales that are well-organized... so sort any baby clothes out by size and gender if you can. Also, you could set a price for the whole "lot" of a certain size... I love when people offer that. If you can sell outfits, bedding sets, and matching accessories bundled together- don't sell them one piece at a time.

Good Luck!
-M.

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