Frequently asked questions

GarageSaleIt is a dedicated, purpose built marketplace to connect buyers and sellers of pre-loved and gently used goods.

GarageSaleIt:

• is low cost for both sellers and buyers 
• is locally focussed so communities can connect and come together
• is designed to promote buyers to look through more items
• is simple to use and secure.

Unlike other platforms where most items are 'new' and drop shipped from overseas, GarageSaleit focusses on pre-loved and gently used items.  So whether you are spring cleaning your home or looking for a sales channel for your used or clearance items, GarageSaleIt is your  sales option.

Security and Privacy

GarageSaleIt considers the the security and privacy of both buyers and sellers as equally important. Online payment options offer world class security and seller details are not disclosed wihout the sellers consent until a buyer has actually purchased an item.

In addition, buyers and sellers require certain validations before transacting to enhance the identification and safety of the GarageSaleIt community.

Easy and Fun

Shopping garagesales is fun.

Shopping GarageSaleIt is also fun.  Browse a specific garagesale near you or browse rooms of a house to see what bargains and treasures you can find.  The more you look, the more you will find.

Discover, Buy and Sell

GarageSaleIt is a convenient detinaton for people to discover, buy and sell pre-loved and gently used items.  They can easily find what they are looking for using GarageSaleIt's unique 'room' perspective and filter results by location, room and price.

Thus GarageSaleIt has made it easy for you to reach buyers and sellers that are ready to buy and sell!

We understand that increasingly, marketplace platforms just take more and more of your hard earned funds.

So we keep things very simple and LOW COST for you:

For a seller

No listing fees, no final valuation fees, no hidden fees - you simply have one small fee to access our platform.  

For Buyers

To have access to all our wonderful items in the marketplace, there is a nominal fee.  This grants you access to our marketplace where you can search, look, find and buy unique items from our dedicated GarageSaleIt sellers.

All of us who build GarageSaleIt also use GarageSaleIt, and as GarageSaleIt users, we find it nosy and maybe even a bit annoying that our site requests a phone number to verify your account and sell items.

What if your only telephone number is a mobile or cell phone? You certainly don't want that number getting into the wrong hands!

That's why we want to make clear that there is one reason we require your phone number: to contact you when repeated efforts have failed to resolve a case between you and a buyer (or you and GarageSaleIt).

We understand that email addresses tend to change frequently, and when a buyer needs specific information about a transaction but can't get it, we run the risk of losing a repeat buyer. If you have sold an item that a buyer needs to discuss with you afterward because it wasn't received, or wasn't as described, communication is necessary. If repeated attempts to communicate over email fail, then we will use the telephone number you provide to help resolve the transaction.

Typically, we don't expect to ever require us to use a phone number to establish contact. But in those very rare cases, it's an invaluable tool to get a tricky transaction settled quickly and amicably for all parties.

A standard garage sale costs as little as $20.  That's it!

We have:

- No commission on sales.

- No listing fees.

- No sneaky final valuation fees.

There is no catch ... We want you to retain the proceeds of your garage sale.   After all - it's your stuff!

GarageSaleIt values the privacy of our vendors. 

Your personal information used to create your GarageSale will not be visible on the public face of GarageSaleIt.  We will show your generic location on our Vendor Map and some base information only including your zip/postal code, state/province.

We do offer the ability for registered buyers to contact you via GarageSaleIt's messenging system.  This further protects your privacy.  

Once a buyer has bought from you, then we provide further information as to how and where the item can be collected - but only after they have bought the item(s).

Please note, you do not need to enter your precise home address. We do require a general address so that your GarageSale will appear properly in our GarageSale map; but this is limited to your street and there is no need to include your street number to appear on the Garagesaleit map.

The length of your garage sale really depends on you.  

And because everyone is different, GarageSaleIt provides you a number of options so you can choose the best fit.

14 Day Garage Sale

A "14 day garage sale" - is perhaps preferred for those who want to quickly convert their items into money.

This option would provide (say) 7 days of getting organised and 7 days where your garage sale is activated online.

30 Day Garage Sale

A "30 day garage sale" - is perhaps preferred for those who want a bit more time to get organised or to have their garage sale on-line for longer.

If you're not in a rush, this is a good option.  Casually get your items organised and when you are ready, use the remaining time of your 30 days to have the items activated online.

Setting up your GarageSaleIt sale is easy - however, sometimes you may get stuck on describing an item.  Use these ideas to help ..

Use straightforward words to describe your item. The goal of an item title should be to tell shoppers what your item is and generate enough interest to drive clicks to your listing. You only need to include enough information to let shoppers know what your item is at a glance. Do this by using simple words that explain exactly what exactly your item is.

Mention traits like size, color, or item type when applicable. Put the type of item you're selling near the beginning of the title. When applicable, size and brand should go at the beginning, as they are more important traits, while color should go at the end. If your item comes in multiple colors, it is not necessary to put the colors in your item title, as this will take up valuable keyword placement and title characters.

Keep your prices realistic…

Remember, you want it gone, so anything you get for it is better than nothing!

The secret key to garage sale pricing and one of the top garage sale tips to remember is to be careful not to attach sentimental value to your things.  In other words – don’t overprice things!

Remember you want to sell your items - so your items should be priced accordingly.  In this sense, use this tip to price your items better ...

If in doubt - lower your price - you WANT TO SELL your items.

Easy!

Just simply connect your bank account details in your vendor administration panel and you are good to go.

To protect your privacy, we do not have access to your bank account or your details. 

Instead, we have partnered with Stripe payments to offer a low cost, fast payout system with the ultimate security of your sensitive financial information.

As the world’s fastest-advancing platform, Stripe provides currency with global regulations, card network rules, and the highest industry security standards.

Your security is fundamental to our thinking and acordingly, via Stripe, GarageSaleIt includes

• PCI DSS Level 1 certification
• PSD2 Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) compliant

But perhaps just as importantly, your linked Stripe account provides you a simple dashboard to track your customers purchases and modify your bank account and personal information as required.

Your GarageSaleIt store will accept most image file types as part of your product upload.  

However occassionaly, photos from an Iphone may not initially be 'recognised'.  This is due to iPhone 7 and later models running iOS 11 or later operating systems can use a photo system called - HEIC.  HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image File, Apple’s new image container format that compresses photos on your iPhone in order to save space.

Under most circumstances, you won’t even notice the file format of your photos, but occasionally, you may run into technical difficulties when transferring photo files from your iPhone to your computer or cloud storage. 

If you do run into problems when transferring photos, we’ve got the solution below that will save you time and headaches.  

How to transfer iPhone photos as JPG, not HEIC

Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to transfer your HEIC image files to a Mac or PC. All you have to do is set up compatible file sharing in your iPhone’s settings. Here’s an easy step-by-step guide.

1. Navigate to your iPhone’s settings.
2. Tap Photos. 
3. Scroll down to Transfer to Mac or PC and tap on Automatic. This will transfer photos and videos in a compatible format. Photos will become JPGs before transferring.

How to convert an iPhone HEIC file to JPG on Mac

Converting your HEIC image file to a JPG on your Mac couldn’t be easier. The simplest way to do it is with macOS Preview. You can also convert your HEIC file to a PNG or PDF using this method.

1. Open your HEIC image file in Preview.
2. Click File and choose Export.
3. Under Format, choose the file type that you’d like to convert your image to — JPG, PNG, PDF, or TIFF.
4. Click Save.

How to convert HEIC to JPG on Windows

If you’ve upgraded to Windows 10, the easiest way is to use the built-in iOS setting to transfer your photos from your iPhone to your computer in a compatible format. You can also email HEIC images as attachments from an iOS device to your computer, and they will be automatically converted into JPGs.

If, for some reason, you end up with an HEIC file on your Windows computer that needs to be converted, you can do it through your browser on one of several online converter tools. With HEICtoJPG, you can convert up to 50 HEIC images to JPGs at a time. This doesn’t convert images to any other types of files, just JPG.

1. Visit HEICtoJPG on your Windows computer.
2. Click in the box to choose the images that you want to convert.
3. Tap Convert to save your photos in the new format.

If your GarageSale account does not appear on the marketplace, check the following:

(a) Check your garagesale location is up to date:

• In your vendor administation panel, choose 'My Profile'
• Scroll down slightly until you see 'GarageSale Location' in bold (as per the image below)

• Ensure your location has been entered

(b) Check your garagesale access is current:

• Log into your GarageSaleIt administation panel
• Confirm your subscription status is current and if not renew your access

A few reasons this may have happened:

• You may have typed your email address incorrectly. This would make it impossible for us to send you an email.
• You have a spam blocker that is prohibiting confirmation emails from being received.
• Your email has been delivered to your Junk or Spam folder.
• There is a small delay in receiving the email and it is still on its way.

Please check each of these possibilities and then if you are still having troubles, feel free to contact us with as much informaton as possible so we can help.

GarageSale holders have the option to post or courier items to buyers. However, please note, GarageSaleIt itself does not offer postage.

Shipping and postage is organised between the buyer and seller. GarageSaleit does not directly offer buyer or seller protection as GarageSaleIt does not get involved in transactions, the onus is on the buyer and seller to complete a safe transaction.

We do offer an environment where buyers are required to transact via authorised payment methods and sellers must be properly registered.

A postal or courier option may be organised between a seller and buyer. Agreement should be mutual, and we recommend confirming all details such as; cost, packaging, pick up location and delivery address.

Increased care should be taken with high value items to ensure both sides are comfortable sending or receiving the item through a postal or shipping service. GarageSaleit will not be responsible for items not received or for any items that do not meet the buyer's expectations (including where they are not as described).

GarageSaleIt's advice on postage and shipping items:

Sellers:

• Do not post an item without receiving full payment first.
• Keep the buyer informed: Provide the postage courier, timeline and delivery status of the item.
• Obtain a tracking number to share with the buyer.

• Make sure you understand the condition of the item. Ask the seller questions and request more photos if needed.
• Use common sense. If something sounds too good to be true - it probably is.
• Suggest a payment provider that offers purchase protection.  

Membership of GarageSaleIt is nominal and provides access to a community of like minded buyers and sellers of pre-loved and gently used items.

Membership provides excellent value (typically it's less than a cup of coffee!) and helps you join the pre-loved community to access unique specials.

Membership shows GarageSaleIt sellers that you are a serious buyer who is willing to demonstrate your seriousness by joining as one of members.

Membership means you belong to the GarageSaleIt famliy and are able to be connected to the many unique treasures and gently-loved goods offered by our Sellers. 

A few reasons this may have happened:

• You may have typed your email address incorrectly. This would make it impossible for us to send you an email.
• You have a spam blocker that is prohibiting confirmation emails from being received.
• Your email has been delivered to your Junk or Spam folder.
• There is a small delay in receiving the email and it is still on its way.

Please check each of these possibilities and then if you are still having troubles, feel free to contact us with as much informaton as possible so we can help.

With GarageSaleIt, we turn fundraising on its head.  You can raise more funds, with less effort and fewer volunteers whilst effectively spreading the effort more widely.

So how does it work?

Simple.

Everyone has things at home they no longer need or want … so … 

1. Ask your community (school families / sporting club members) to donate these unwanted / unused items for your fund raising efforts
2. Open a GarageSaleIt account to simply list and advertise these items
3. Let your community know about your live garagesale store via social media, newsletters and emails
4. Your community and beyond buy the donated items
5. With no selling fees – all funds raised go towards your nominated activity or event!

You can Raise More Funds

Fundraising with GarageSale requires minimal cost outlay - as little as $50! That’s it!

You ask your community to donate their unneeded and pre-loved items and when they sell, your fundraiser keeps all the proceeds. This means more funds are raised for your nominated needs.

Require Fewer Volunteers

The typical fund raising event requires many hands to spread the load.  However, increasingly, volunteers are harder and harder to find.  Everyone is too busy.

Fund raising with GarageSaleIt has been purposefully designed and built for user simplicity.  Anyone with a basic grasp of computers can help and assist.  And because it is simplistic – you only need the bare essential number of volunteers – in fact, depending on your community’s size – you may only need 2 or 3 people to run the fund raising event!

Spread the Effort Wider

With GarageSaleIt you are no longer dependant on your own immediate and direct community to raise funds.  Funds can be easily raised from OUTSIDE of your school or sporting organisation. 

GarageSaleIt promotes your fundraising efforts to a whole new and broader based buyer group.

No Frantic Weekend Pack Up

GarageSaleIt Fundraising does not require you to spread out across playgrounds and school spaces - the fund raising goods can be easily stored out of the way until they are sold.  So you can say good-bye to the crazy and usually late afternoon pack-up to ensure the school yard or sporting complex is ready for children Monday morning! 

Your school space stays as a school space!

Like any fundraiser, there are many variables to how much funding is raised.

On some reasonable, simple and straight forward assumptions, the following results may be possible.

A small sized school or organisation (300 students or participants): $1,680 - $6,720

A medium sized school or organisation (600 students or participants) : $2,730 - $10,920

A large sized school or organisation (1,200 students or participants): $5,070 - $20,280

Of course, the better engaged your school community or local organisation is - the better the results can be!

Click here for the Small School / Organisation Example 

Click here for the Medium School / Organisation Example 

Click here for the Larger School / Organisation Example