Ania's Finds

Hey resellers! If you’re anything like me, the crisp fall air means one thing: garage sale season is in full swing, and it’s the perfect time to stock up on Halloween gold. With October 8, 2025, marking the unofficial kickoff to spooky shopping madness, you’ve got just under a month to source, flip, and ship before the October 31 rush. According to retail trends, Halloween spending is projected to hit record highs this year, with decor leading the pack—think billions in jack-o’-lanterns, wreaths, and lights alone.

The best part? Garage sales are treasure troves for these items, often priced at pennies on the dollar compared to retail. In this post, I’ll break down proven sourcing strategies for three hot sellers—jack-o’-lantern kits, fall wreaths, and string lights—plus simple pricing formulas to double (or triple!) your money. We’ll focus on flipping these gems on Poshmark and eBay, where seasonal decor thrives. Let’s turn those pumpkin patches into profit patches.

Why Garage Sales Are Your Halloween Sourcing Secret Weapon

Before we dive into specifics, a quick pro tip: Hit garage sales early on weekends (aim for 7-8 AM openings) when sellers are fresh and open to haggling. Focus on neighborhoods with families—they’re unloading last year’s leftovers. Look for “holiday decor” signs, and always ask, “Got any Halloween stuff in the garage?” Holiday items like these move fast at sales, so bundle deals (e.g., “I’ll take the whole box for $20”) can score you bulk steals. Pro move: Bring cash in small bills and a measuring tape to check item sizes for easy shipping on Poshmark or eBay.

Now, let’s get specific on what to hunt for and how to spot winners, with flips tailored for these powerhouse platforms.

1. Jack-o’-Lantern Kits: The Glow-Up Flip

These DIY carving kits (complete with stencils, tools, and battery-operated lights) are evergreen sellers—pun intended. Families love the hands-on fun, and vintage or LED-upgraded versions fetch premium prices on Poshmark’s home section or eBay’s collectibles auctions.

Sourcing Strategies:

• Target Multi-Family Sales: Bigger sales often have untouched holiday bins from spring cleanouts. Scan for unopened kits or gently used ones with extra stencils—avoid anything with broken tools.
• Spot the Steals: Look for branded ones like those from Mr. Jack O’Lanterns (regular kits go for $5 at sales). Vintage plastic toys or blow-mold pumpkins pop up for under $10, especially if they’re from the ’80s/’90s. Check basements or attics; sellers forget about these until you remind them.
• Haggle Hack: Offer $3-5 for a basic kit (retail’s $24+), citing “seasonal wear.” I’ve scored LED jumbos for $7 by bundling with other decor.

Real Flip Example: Snag a $5 premium kit, clean it up, and list as a “vintage-inspired glow kit.” On Poshmark, bundle it with a mini pumpkin for $24 (quick shares to your closet boost visibility); on eBay, auction starting at $10 sells for $20-30 in 24 hours, netting you $15-20 profit after fees.

2. Fall Wreaths: Doorway Dollars

Wreaths scream “welcome to spooky town,” and fall/Halloween versions with burlap, faux leaves, and ghost accents fly off Poshmark’s “Home” category or eBay’s fixed-price listings. The key? Condition matters—faded ones can be refreshed with a quick spray paint.

Sourcing Strategies:

• Early Bird Specials: September sales are prime; sellers purge summer stuff and pull out fall bins. Hunt for mesh or ribbon wreaths in black/orange—avoid super dusty ones unless you’re up for a DIY refresh.
• Quality Check: Feel for sturdy wire frames (they ship better) and inspect for moth damage. Garage sale gems often go for $3-10, like a full-size door wreath I grabbed for $3 last year.
• Negotiation Ninja: Say, “Love this for my porch—$5 cash take it now?” Full fall sets (wreath + bow) can be had for $15 total.

Real Flip Example: A $3 thrifted wreath, fluffed with $2 in ribbon, lists for $30-46 on Poshmark (use “Posh the Club” parties for Halloween-themed exposure). On eBay, price at $35 with free shipping, and it moves for $40+, profit = $25-30 after 15% fees.

3. String Lights: Lit-Up Loot

Orange LED pumpkin strings or spooky ghost lights are low-effort, high-margin flips. They’re compact, ship cheap, and appeal to both indoor party peeps and outdoor yard haunters on Poshmark’s bundles or eBay’s “Buy It Now” options.

Sourcing Strategies:

• Bulk Hunt: Estate or moving sales dump holiday boxes—grab 50-100ft strands for $5-10. Test plugs on-site if possible; faded bulbs are fine for indoor flips.
• Themed Treasures: Seek “orange Halloween” sets over generic whites. Clearance from last year means garage prices mirror Walmart rollbacks at $11-17, but haggle to $5-8.
• Power Play: Bundle with extension cords for $2 extra. Avoid tangled messes—untangle on-site to show you’re serious.

Real Flip Example: $10 for a 100-bulb strand sells for $20-25 on Poshmark (tag as “party essentials” for easy shares). On eBay, list at $22 with photos of it lit up, closing bids at $28—vintage or themed ones push $30+, especially if you add “new-in-box” vibes with fresh packaging.

Pricing Formulas: From Cost to Cash Flow

No guesswork here—use these dead-simple equations to price like a pro. Factor in Poshmark’s 20% seller fee (or $2.95 flat for sales under $15) and eBay’s 13-15% final value fee plus $0.30 per order, plus $5-10 shipping. Goal: 2x-3x your cost for that sweet double-your-money magic.

1. Basic Markup (Double It Fast): Retail Price = Purchase Cost × 2.5 Example: $5 jack-o’-lantern kit → $12.50 list price (round to $15 for appeal). After $3 fees/ship on Poshmark, profit = $7; eBay nets $8.
2. Condition Booster (For Refreshed Flips): Retail Price = (Purchase Cost + Refresh Cost) × 3 Example: $3 wreath + $2 ribbon → $15 cost × 3 = $45. Sells for $40-50 on eBay, profit = $25-30 after fees.
3. Bulk Bundle Magic (Scale Up): Retail Price = Total Cost ÷ Items + 50% Markup per Item Example: $20 for 3 light strands ($6.67 each) → $10 per strand ($15 with markup). Sell as a set for $40-45 on Poshmark bundles, profit = $20+.

Track everything in a simple spreadsheet: Column A = Cost, B = List Price, C = Sold For, D = Profit %. Aim for 100% ROI minimum—adjust down 10-20% for quick sales pre-rush.

Maximize Earnings Before the Holiday Hustle

With Halloween hype peaking mid-October, list now on Poshmark and eBay with killer photos (stage against a black backdrop for that eerie glow—Poshmark loves lifestyle shots, eBay craves detailed close-ups). Use keywords like “vintage Halloween wreath Poshmark” or “LED jack-o’-lantern kit eBay auction” to snag searches. Offer bundles (kit + lights for $25) and free local pickup on Poshmark to move inventory fast, or promote listings with eBay’s “Promoted Listings” for 2-20% ad spend.

There you have it—your blueprint to pumpkin profits on Poshmark and eBay. I’ve flipped $200 in garage hauls to $500+ in sales last season; this year, I’m aiming higher. What’s your go-to garage sale find? Drop a comment below, and grab my free Complete Reselling Guide for more flips. Happy haunting—and hustling!