Any tips on having a garage sale?
Question:I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW MUCH WORK IT IS TO HAVE A SILLY GARAGE SALE!
Answers:
Here are some tips that have worked for me in the past: *advertise it in the local paper *lot's of good signage around the major cross streets in your neighborhood *I usually have more traffic stopping if I run the sale on a Fri/Sat than I do for a Sat/Sun *set it up for 7am on opening day but be ready to go by 6:30am as you will have hardcore garage sellers waiting in their cars at your curb--hardcore garage sellers will have read the ads and will have a route planned out-you want to be first on their route! *let your neighbors know a week in advance in case they want to set up a sale or add stuff to yours- if you can get neighbors to participate it will increase the traffic and people will want to stop to see what all the fuss is about *if it's a two day event keep prices firm (but low-it's a garage sale after all) on day one and tell them prices firm today but will make incredible deal tomorrow---if they really want it they will not risk waiting til tomorrow--if it's a one day sale be willing to negotiate as you dont want to lug it all back in at the end of the day *you dont need a fancy set up but be organized with how you display things-for example dont put all the clothes in a huge pile-divide them by sizes and try to keep things looking tidy--if you have the resources make signs to set up around your yard/garage making it easier for folks looking for something specific *we always set up a 'man section'--men like to tinker so have your tools, gadgets, electrical doodads, misc hardware together *if it's a hot day things may peter out by 3pm-pack it in for the day *provide beer, pop, and pizza for all those who helped you out and they'll be willing to help again next time *Have fun and dont stress.
first.. if you have a garage...
CLEAN YOUR HOUSE! get rid of all the stuff you dont want.. even if it is not worthy of being in a garage sale. throw it all in the garage.. then clean the garage last.. then set up ur garage sale!! when you have 2 and cant sell the stuff. try ebay.. then just give it away to salvation army!!
Watch your items very closely and don't let anyone take anything. Be organized and a way to attract more people especially on a hot day is to sell lemonade and coolade on a little table next to the sale. You can also write that you are doing that on your signs. It helps! Goodl luck!
Don't! (Sorry to be so blunt.)
Its much easier to digitally photograph the items & take them to some charity. Sometimes a local church has a rummage sale, donate the items there. Subdivision sales sometimes work.
For all the work and what little we sold, I would sell the more valuable items on that web-auction site & donate the rest.
They are a lot of work. Start with sorting thourgh things and keep them in groups of similar items, such as toys, clothes, household, automotive, decorative items. Then price them by group, this will help you with keeping consistent on the pricing. As things are priced keep them together and then when the big day comes all you ahve to do is set up your tables and put your things out. If you can, price things and put them out as you price them, of course this will depend on space and if you can lock things up overnight. If you look sometimes you can find price stickers pre-made, if not get some label sheets and make them yourself on the computer, so much quicker!
here's a tip for making a little extra money:
sell soda! make it around 50 cents each can and keep it in a cooler. this is for hot, sunny days...
Don't put prices on anything, and be willing to negotiate.
The last thing you want to do is drag all the stuff back in the house, right.
What happens if you dont sell it, Gonna just give it away or throw it in the trash, right?
Might as well get something for it.
it helps to have big, clear signs around the neighborhood - and be smart when placing them - positioning can make all the difference - don't do any of that writing on a paper bag and taping it to a lightpole.
I would sell it in bulk on Ebay.. Group similiar clothing together and sell it as a lot... For example, all size 10 women's jeans together. All baby clothes of a certain size together. Then just take one picture of each lot. It's easier and you'll get more money. Plus you won't have to deal with the public. There was an article about it on http://www.garagesaleriches.com... not sure if its still there though.. Good Luck!
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