Typic ally the goods in a garage sale are unwanted items from the household conducting the sale. The goods are sometimes new, like-new, or just usable, offered for sale because the owner does not want or need the item, to minimize their possessions, or to raise funds. The seller displays their wares to the passers-by or those responding to signs or newspaper ads. The sales venue is usually a garage, driveway, front yard, or porch. Some vendors, known as 'squatters', will set up in a highly trafficked area not on their own property.

Staples of garage sales include old clothing, books, toys, household knickknacks, and board games. Larger items like furniture and occasionally appliances are also sold. Garage sales occur most frequently in suburban areas on good-weather weekends, and usually have designated hours for the sale. Sometimes, buyers arrive before the hours of the sale to review the items. These buyers are known as "Early Birds", and are often professional restorers or resellers. Such sales also attract people who are searching for bargains or for rare and unusual items. Bargaining on prices is routine, and items may or may not have price labels affixed. Some people buy goods from these sales to restore them for resale.

Some cities, such as Beverly Hills, California, require that the homeowners apply and pay for a yard sale permit, and even with that homeowners in Beverly Hills can only hold yard sales in the back of their homes.

See also

• Estate sale
• Jumble sale
• Car boot sale
• Flea market
• Thrift shop

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