Yard sale payments — how to accept money at a garage/yard sale in New Zealand

Quick overview: what buyers expect

Most buyers expect to pay with cash at a yard sale. Increasingly, they also expect card or contactless options, especially for higher-value items. Decide in advance which methods you'll accept and make that clear with a sign.

A simple mix is: primarily cash, plus one digital option (card tap or bank transfer) to capture more sales without carrying large amounts of cash.

• Cash is fastest and needs no tech, but requires a float and safe storage.
• Cards/contactless capture higher-value sales and reduce the need for change.
• Bank transfers or payment links are good for reserved or heavy items.

Cash setup and handling

Prepare a cash float before the sale: a mix of small notes and coins so you can make change easily. Common NZ notes are $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 — include plenty of $5 and $10 notes and 10c–50c coins.

Keep cash in a secure box or a money belt out of public reach and limit who has access. Use a simple cardboard cash box with a slit or a lockable box. Make change-ready bundles for quick transactions (for example, a $20 purchase, give $5 change).

• Start float example: $50–$200 depending on expected traffic (many small notes and coins).
• Count and record the float at start and end of the sale.
• Offer clear pricing to reduce negotiation confusion and speed up sales.

Card and contactless options (without a full EFTPOS machine)

If you want to accept card payments but don't have a traditional EFTPOS terminal, there are easy mobile solutions: portable card readers that pair with a smartphone or tablet, or payment links/QR codes buyers can use with their own banking or wallet apps.

Contactless payments (tap with card or smartphone) are convenient and fast. They work through a portable reader or a seller-hosted payment link which the buyer opens and pays with a card or mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay). Be aware these options typically attract a small per-transaction fee.

• Portable card reader: small device that connects to a phone, charges per transaction.
• Payment link / QR code: send or show a link/QR that brings up a secure payment page.
• Mobile wallet: buyers can use Apple Pay / Google Pay if your reader supports it.

Bank transfers, payment links and reservations

For larger or heavy items (furniture, appliances) many sellers ask buyers to pay by bank transfer before collection. Ask for a screenshot of payment or check your banking app before releasing the item.

Payment links (from PayPal, a payment provider, or your own invoicing app) let you request and receive money by a secure link. QR codes can point to that link for in-person convenience.

Set simple rules for reservations: how long you'll hold an item, whether a deposit is required, and whether refunds are possible if the buyer cancels.

• Require full payment or a deposit for reserved items; specify pickup window.
• Ask for and verify proof of bank transfer for high-value sales.
• Use clear written notes (buyer name, item, amount paid, time) for all reserved sales.

Pricing, fees and rounding

Card payments often incur a fee from the card reader or payment provider. To keep checkout simple, either absorb small fees, add a small rounding policy, or set a minimum amount for card transactions.

Common approaches: round prices to convenient amounts (eg, to the nearest 50 cents or $1) and post a sign that explains if card acceptance has a minimum spend.

Whatever you choose, be transparent to buyers to avoid disputes at the point of sale.

• Consider a small minimum for card use (eg, $10–$20) to cover fees and speed up transactions.
• Post a clear sign: 'Cash & card accepted / Minimum card purchase $10' if you enforce one.
• Round small coin amounts if you prefer not to use 10c/20c coins (check local coin availability).

Safety, receipts and record-keeping

Hold your sale in daylight and a visible spot. Keep cash out of public view and never leave it unattended. If you have a helper, one person can manage sales while another watches shoppers.

Give a simple receipt for larger transactions or if a buyer requests one—this can be a handwritten slip with date, amount, item and buyer name. Keep a running tally of sales on your phone or notebook for end-of-day accounting.

• Limit the amount of cash on display; move excess to a secure place during the sale.
• Record sales in a notebook or notes app (item, price, buyer) to track what’s sold.
• If you accept digital payments, reconcile them with your records before packing up.