We are going to have a garage sale in August. I know full well that we won’t make enough money to justify the time, but we will get to turn a little bit of our trash into cash. Anything that is really worth money we will try to sell on E-Bay first.
However, as we sort and sift through our belongings, we are trying to keep in mind the things we know about garage sales. Readying them for a sale as we go will reduce time we will spend later.
If you haven’t ever had a garage sale, here is a list of a few of the things we have learned from past experience that will help you make it a success.
- Check the local city ordinances. Some cities require a permit for a sale. Others have restrictions on where on your property you can place your sale items.
- Plan the date. You don’t want to have a sale on the day everyone in town will be at a festival across town—unless, of course, they will drive past your house to get to it.
- Check to see if some of your neighbors might want to have a sale on the same day. If there is a “Neighborhood Garage Sale,” it will attract more customers.
- Advertise. Make sure your city allows signs to be posted. Create sturdy signs with large lettering and post them at nearby intersections. Put an ad in the local paper and any free papers that you can. Even advertise the sale on craigslist.org for your city.
- Clean items for the sale to get a better price for them.
- Price everything. Many people won’t bother to ask prices if nothing is marked. Price reasonably; it’s a garage sale and people will not pay top dollar. Make an inventory list (for pricier items) in case price tags get separated from the merchandise. I’ve used colored stickers occasionally and maybe put a green sticker on everything that’s $1, a blue one on everything that’s $2, etc.
- If you have an electrical outlet, get an extension cord handy so you can show people that items work properly.
- Hang clothing neatly. If clothing is dumped in a pile many people won’t dig through it.
- Make sure you have plenty of small bills and change.
- Protect your property. Have enough people helping with the sale to deal with many customers. Keep your cash box safe, or better yet keep your money in a “fanny pack” on your person. Get a counterfeit detection pen from the office supply store. They cost less than $10, and if you are selling big money items it might be worth it.
- Don’t take personal checks from strangers. Watch for shoplifters, but don’t try to detain anyone who steals from you. Get their license tag number and alert the police. Do NOT allow anyone to enter your home alone to try on clothing or use the restroom.
- Remember that you are liable if someone injures themselves on your property. Put away obstacles and hazardous materials. Rope off areas where you don’t want people to go.
- Prepare yourself beforehand with everything you might need: calculator, paper, pens, plastic bags, extra price tags. Don’t forget sunscreen, hats, chairs, lip balm, and mosquito repellant to protect you from the elements. Have water and snacks for yourself available so you won’t have to leave the sale.
- Set up the sale night before, if possible, or at least give yourself time before the sales begin. Avid garage sale fiends are early birds.
- Be a salesperson. Welcome your customers, ask if there is anything they are seeking, answer questions—but don’t hover while they shop.
- Be ready to bargain. Part of the fun of the sale for buyers is getting a good deal. Don’t be insulted if people ask you to take a lower price. But, don’t come down in the price too much in the first hour of the sale.
- At the end of the sale, move your items inside and promptly take down your signs (so the city doesn’t fine you).
After it’s all done, our leftover items are going straight to the Goodwill donation box! I’m hoping this will be our last garage sale for a very long time!
This journey began on a separate blog (you can click here to read About Out Of Chaos), but that wasn’t really simplifying was it? I moved all of the posts to This Eclectic Life under the category Out Of Chaos. I’ll be adding more from time to time. I hope you join me.
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