17 Tips For A Garage Sale

This is a great article by Bonnie Joy Dewkett on garage sales.

For many of us, spring-cleaning is an annual ritual. However, don’t stop at washing the floors and vacuuming under the bed. Spring is a great time to tackle your organizational projects. Once you have done this, make some money and clean out your home!

Below you will find some tips on how to make your yard sale as profitable and successful as possible:

1. Set up signs around your neighborhood (which you can get in the Land Use Department in Town Hall), in grocery stores and on free online listings, such as Craig’s List.

2. Check with your neighbors and let them know about the expected increase in traffic. Confirm that you have no neighbored rules regarding yard sales.

3. Consider having a neighborhood yard sale. More items for sale will draw more customers.

4. On the day of the yard sale, post clear signs directing potential customers to your home. Post them in both directions. Remember to take them down after your event. Decorate your yard with balloons, banners and streamers to catch the eye of passers by.

5. Ask family members if they have items they would like you to sell at your yard sale.

6. You want to make your customers as comfortable as possible. Have some baked goods and drinks on hand for them to enjoy while they browse.

7. Make sure the area you are using is bright enough. Use spotlights and lamps from your home if necessary.
Have extension cords on hand so customers can test appliances. If they know it works, they will be more likely to take it home!

8. If you are selling clothes, put a full-length mirror out for customers to use.

9. Make sure you lock your home and garage. You will not be able to pay attention to your home for most of the day.

10. Use a fanny pack instead of a moneybox to store change and customer’s payments. Even a locked moneybox can be stolen.

11. Clearly mark each item with its price. Use blue painter’s tape so the item will not be damaged.

12. Have boxes and bags ready for your customers to take home their new treasures in.

13. Create a children’s section so that kids can play with toys before they purchase them. This also allows the adults to shop quietly.

14. Have bargains! Yard sale customers love bargains so have a table where all items costs $1, have a 50 percent off bin and even a buy one get one table!

15. Also, be ready to bargain with customers.

16. Have tarps or tents ready, or an alternative date ready in case of rain.
Have a back-up plan ready for the items that do not get sold.

17. A yard sale can be a great way to clean out your house and make some money while doing it.

Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of your time commitment versus your possible tax deduction before taking on the task.Involve your kids and family and a yard sale can be a lot of fun. Consider using the money you make to take a family adventure!

Happy Garage Sale! Bridges

Garage Sale Tips

This the season for garage sales right now, but how do you take it from a ”garage sale” to a “Money Making Event”!  Here are some tips to keep in mind while you are getting ready! 

1. Take time to prepare. Go room by room and clearing out the unused/unloved/unwanted stuff. Really take the time to purge your house.  Remember, your “clutter” is someone else’s treasure. Make the event worthy of your time and the buyer’s time.

2. Get others involved.  Have a community garage sale or have your sale during a town-wide event.  Place an ad in the local paper and make it interesting by mentioning a few of the key items. Craig’s List is also a great way to advertise your garage sale.  Just remember to re-post it on a regular basis.  The diehards will already be on the road with their Friday paper before the Saturday paper even arrives. So place your ad in both editions.

3. Attract attention.  Take the time to make up some brightly colored signs that provide the address and the time of the sale. Use several sturdy signs with a post so you can be sure it will stand out and stay in place. This is also good for the environment as it can be reused. Post the signs by 4 p.m. the day before the sale; you want people to add it to their agenda for Saturday. (P.S. don’t forget to pick up your signs after the sale.) If you are lucky you will get a few early birds on Friday.

4. Sell good stuff.   If it needs to go to Good Will, set it aside to donate but do not put it in your garage sale.   If it does has some life left in it have a free box at the end of the driveway and give it away.  Make sure it is treasure worthy.

5. Make it easy for people to shop. Just like a Department Store, if it is easy to shop you tend to buy more!  Clearly mark the prices on the items. People like to know what the prices are without having to ask. Group similar items together like clothing/books/dishes and have a price list above or near the items for quick reference.

6.  Schedule a pick up for the Monday after your sale!  You have worked hard to purge your items and have the garage sale, make sure that you wrap up and get rid of everything that is left over!  There is no need to put it back or try to find a spot for it in your garage.  If there is not a lot of stuff, make a quick trip to your local Good Will and make sure to get a tax receipt!

You can organize a successful garage sale when you have the right plan of action. Garage sale season has officially started. Now go and organize, advertise and sell!

Happy Garage Selling!  Bridges