Holding a garage sale is a great way to get cash for the clutter you've amassed but don't need anymore. But beware - a successful sale takes weeks of hard work, organization and good planning.
Set the date which can be anytime but the dead of winter. A few days before your sale place an ad in a local paper or on a website. On the days of your sale, have the location to your garage well marked with a trail of signage that gives the address and the times you are in business. Placing helium balloons at the end of your street are a great way to draw attention to your sale.
Then expect to greet the crowds of shoppers who are looking for unique treasures or antiques at bargain prices.
Well organized sales reap benefits so here are some tips to make it successful:
- Spacing: Arrange tables with enough room between them to allow people to inspect the displays. Don't put items below the tables so customers have to reach to see them.
- Big-ticket items: Put these close to the street so people driving by will see them and, hopefully, pull over to have a closer look.
- Clothing: hang clothing from a clothesline to make them easier to look through. Clearly label sizes.
- Assistants: For security and convenience always have lots of helpers at the sale. This way you can take turns having a break.
- Media: Have the spines showing for all books and CD's. Consider having a group price such as 25 cents each or 5 for a dollar.
- Electronics: Have an electrical cord available so people can test products. You'll more easily get a sale if people can see that something actually works.
- Pricing: Make sure the price of each item is clearly marked. Put larger price tags on big items such as sofas. Write out selling points or flaws on a larger sheet of paper and place it on the item. Decide before your sale if your price is firm or you are willing to take any reasonable offer.
- Packaging: Stock up on boxes and grocery bags so people can carry home their purchases.
If you are serious about getting rid of a lot of stuff, set low prices and be willing to accept some bargaining. The unwritten rule when it comes to bartering is that the buyer shouldn't offer less than half the price.
[Photographs copyright by Linda Dunbar. Reproduction prohibited]
