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What is a rummage sale?

Also called: jumble sale, church sale · Used in United States and Canada

A rummage sale is run by a group — a church, school, club or charity — rather than a single household. Donated goods are pooled and sold, usually in a hall over one or two days, and the proceeds go to the organisation rather than to any individual seller.

What it actually means in practice

Because the items are donated, nobody has priced them carefully or sorted them by category. Rummage sales are usually the cheapest sale type to shop, and the piles genuinely have to be rummaged — which is where the name comes from.

Many run a bag sale on the closing day: whatever fits in a paper bag leaves for a flat few dollars, because hauling leftovers back to a storeroom costs more than selling them.

Jumble saleA jumble sale is a charity sale of donated goods, traditionally run by a church, school or scout group in a parish hall, with proceeds going to the organisation. It is the British equivalent of a church rummage sale, and the same scramble-at-the-bargain-stall format.Community saleA community sale is many households in one street, subdivision or neighbourhood selling on the same agreed weekend, sometimes promoted with a single map or flyer. Dozens of sales sit within walking distance, which makes it the most efficient way to cover ground.Garage saleA garage sale is a household selling its own used belongings directly to walk-up buyers, usually from a driveway or garage, for a day or a weekend. Items are priced by the seller, cash is normal, and there is no shop, staff or warranty involved.

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