There is no need to have the perfect set up for a garage sale but it is always good to move unused items out of the house and make extra cash.
It is also a great way to teach children money skills, people and sale skills, organizing and cleaning out skills, and goals for what to do with the new money.
If that isn't enough motivation, then think of it as a neighborhood party and invite your friends to join in on the beneficial fun.
To make the process more productive and time saving follow these steps.
- Find a room, corner in the garage or basement that can hold items you no longer need.
- Throughout the year go through every space in the home as you pass it with 5 minutes to spare. Is there anything in there you don't ever use or like.
- Take it out and have it ready to be placed in your "out" area. Or, make a note to go back to the area with an hour to clean it out.
- As you get closer to the sale, make a run through each room opening every closet and cabinet. Maybe do a room or hallway a day to break it down even more. Check again if there is anything not necessary in your home.
- Next, enjoy the new space you have found and the potential money you will earn.
Sales are better on days with less competition such as a subdivision sale day. People tend to bargain more and spend less time at your sale. But if that is the only time, make the best of it and know you didn't have to spend money on advertising or maybe even putting up so many signs.
Sales can be good any time but I have found the first of the garage sale season people are very eager to buy and spend more since they have had to hibernate throughout the winter.
Before the sale have the following items handy:
- tables
- ladders for hanging clothes
- boxes for grouping items
- calculator
- fanny pack for money
- pad of paper & pen
- tarp for ground items to separate from walking areas and protect them
- signs - see note below
- tape
- paper for signs at the sale
- thick marker for making signs
- masking tape or labels for pricing if you want to - not necessary
- balloons can be used but not necessary
- chair to rest your legs
- cold- have a space heater; hot - have a fan
The signs need to be made the same and bright with large writing to help the customer find your location as they drive by the sign quickly. Keeping it simple and the letters no smaller than 2" for the driver to read. Try a permanent marker with a large tip or paint. Also make an arrow very large and dark for quick directions.
I like to use my same signs each year and put the sign location in small print on the right hand lower corner. That way I don't have to guess which arrow goes where each year or where I should put them.
Clear contact paper or clear garbage bags work great for rain proofing if you are using paper signs. Make sure the bags are pulled tight and fastened so the sign can be read. Clear packing tape works well to protect the words or fasten the clear bag.
Have a 25 cent box for items you may have thrown away or clothes that are not perfect. Also use it for the trinket toys. Give them to the young children to keep them occupied allowing the parents more time to shop. A new toy can do wonders on their spirits and possibly increasing sales since mom or dad have more quiet time to look around.
Group like items together and make sure the kids section is far away from the fragile or expensive items.
If you are selling items that need electricity, try to have a plug or extension cord available to be tested for its quality.
Items that require batteries will sell better if they work and for a better price but take into consideration the amount of money you will make on the item and the cost of the batteries. A trial set of batteries can be available for testing and then removed at purchase.
Multifamily sales can add greater income and fun for you. The more items at a sale the more likely a buyer will stop and spend more time looking through items. The more time they stay the more potential for buying something. Also its fun to connect with family and friends for the day.
Have beverages and snacks prepared for yourself within easy access to keep up your energy. This can also be an additional sales item. Two suckers for 25 cents, cookies for 50 cents, coffee for 50 cents or a $1, lemonade for $1, Have something for everyone. Food can also help the mood of tired and hungry shoppers and keep them at the sale longer.
At the end of your sale, decide if you want to donate the remaining items or keep them in your "out" area for another garage sale. Whatever you do, DO NOT put it back in your house! It will only make more work for you in the future when you get rid of it again or it takes up valuable space in your home.
Happy garage selling and great returns for your effort!
Please comment on your great sales tips and success to motivate others to clean out, make money and recycle.