IDEAS, TIPS and More Experiences...
Garage Sales can be a lot of fun, but they are a lot of work. We like to play off of the famous Seven "P's"
Proper Prior Planning Prevents Pretty Poor Performance
So, if you think you can throw together a successful Garage sale in a day or two, think again. The best Garage sales I have had took several weeks to plan, not full time mind you, but several weeks to plan. There are always things you can be doing to prepare while you go about your normal routine. One example is to stop in one of your local Big Box office supply stores and buy stickers and tags (we will talk more about this later) while you are out on normal errands. Another is to ask your neighbors to borrow tables or long wooden planks and maybe saw horses, to make tables. How are you going to "hang" clothes? A strong rope between the back end of the supports to your Garage Doors may work, but try it first, and make sure you do not interfere with the operation of the Garage Door!
Remember (this is important) you do need to take time out during normal "business hours" to call your local community center, Home Owners Association and Town or City Hall to learn about rules, permits, and other items that may – or may not – be required. If a Permit is required – it may take you a few days to find that "opportunity" to get to City Hall its so much easier if you are doing these items during the weeks before you advertise your Garage Sale. You certainly do not want to be running to the office supply store at midnight the day before your garage sale, or looking for something to use as a pricing sticker, or where the heck is that marker pen?
You will also need change, a safe box or place to keep money and checks, and a way to validate checks (a driver’s license and a credit card) and "write it down" on the back of the check.
You know what you want to sell – all that "stuff" you have not used in years, or has been out grown, or came as a gift that you never wanted. Maybe you have replaced furniture or decorations and now you have duplicates, it's all fine to put in a garage sale. Maybe you are the "one" who wants to just clear out the basement or attic – O.K. lets do it and let’s have a Garage Sale.
The best items are in good shape, or interesting to collectors – not just "in your way" – even though some of those may make great garage sale items too. However, price it right, and remember the best items are those other people will want, not that torn and cracked over stuffed chair that belongs in the dumpster. Sure used books, old CD's or DVD's (not scratched) will sell for a few cents, but not the $14.00 you paid for them.
Tip 1 - When to Have aGarage Sale –
Depending on where you live, anytime the weather will support people coming out, is a great time for a Garage Sale. Yes the most common times are Spring through Fall, but Winter items have done well in Winter Garage Sales too.
Speaking of the weather, you need to plan for the best, and the worst. Once you have advertised a date, you are locked in – and once you have filled your Garage with items form the basement or attic, you don't want to have to put them back. So – CHECK THE WEATHER as far ahead as you can. The Weather channel and their web site (www.weather.com) can offer ten day forecasts, but remember – 10 day weather patterns are pretty difficult to count on. Your local news will also have a long range forecast. Plan to have your sale in a covered area, and if the weather is nice, you can move tables and items into the yard or driveway. If it rains, expect only a few buyers, but you may have the antique furniture someone will brave the weather to buy, so – If you have advertised a date – you better be up and open by eight. Since I have an outside entrance to my basement, I have held Garage Sales in my basement, and advertised rain or shine. While the attendance is always better if the weather is good, this idea – a basement Garage Sale – also works. In hot climates – it's even easier on the buyers (but I only recommend this if you have an entrance to your basement that is NOT inside your house.
Garage Sales USUALLY start in the early morning and go until noon – or shortly thereafter. Saturdays are most common, but Fridays and even some Sunday sales bring buyers. We recommend advertising 8:00 AM until 1:00 PM, but many people like to do 7 AM to noon or 8 to noon. In any case, if you are selling items, and have traffic, don't close the door, and don't leave home. Set aside the day for late buyers, those who have to come back to pick up items, and for your own clean up crew. At the end of a four to five hour Garage Sale, you will feel like you wrestled a bear and worked an 8 hour shift. So – now you have advertised 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM – be prepared for someone to knock on your door at 7:00 AM. And if you have advertised antique furniture, or an estate sale – professional buyers may show up as early as 6 AM and ask to beat the average buyer. A professional buyer will have cash, know the real value, and could take a lot of items out of your way very early. However – think about how fair this may be to others who will wait until your 8:00 AM opening. For this reason – some Garage Sales advertise antique furniture, antiques, collectable or estate items as a Friday sale starting at noon. If it's left over – your regular Garage Sale on Saturday should take care of these items as well.
Pricing: Yes that end table, or old baby chair may have a lot of memories, but Garage Sales are all about a SALE! Price items fairly. Check on–line sites like E–bay to see what similar items have sold for. Small items and old books, CD's, DVD's etc are usually under a $1.00 and most times a collection of several items will sell for under $5.00. Old every day china or glasses should be priced as a set (unless they are odd lots) and the price per piece should average under $1.00 in most cases. However you price – remember these items –
TIP 2 - Put a Price on EVERYTHING–
Sell what others will want and price items to sell – PLAN TO NEGOTIATE – but do not be afraid to put out those items that have been stored away for years.
Plan to NEGOTIATE
Put a PRICE on EVERYTHING
Remember – do you want to put it back, or sell it?
Attention –
Buy colorful stickers, and make life easier by using different colors for a specific price. Make several BIG charts (use poster board or "foam core" from your Big Box Office Supply store) so buyers can easily see the asking price. Place at lease two (2) of these around the Garage, and have a small copy on your working table to use when you collect the payments.
A yellow circle sticker could be $.50, a blue $1.00 a green $2.00, a brown $5.00 a red – "ask me" or "make an offer". For larger items, (bikes, lawn–mower, furniture, play sets, lawn items) its best to place a hanging tag on the item with a description (2 year old self propelled mower; antique end table from before World War Two; etc) and an asking price. Price items and sell in whole dollars or rounded to quarters, it makes making change much easier. But be prepared to negotiate. However you decide to price items, stickers, tags, masking tape – be clear about the asking price and LABEL EVERYTHING.
If you are having multiple households in your garage sale, mark items from each household with at least an initial or first name (I guarantee you will not remember who brought what – or who bought what). Keep the money separate or keep a running log on a good piece of paper or in a notebook. I recommend each person keep their own notebook and compare notes at the end. (Be sure you tell your friends they have to take their items home by a specific time too).
Security –
It would be wonderful if we did not have to mention this topic – however it is VERY IMPORTANT – so please read this. Your home address and the date of your Garage Sale will be public information. Do not include your name or phone number in any advertising. This is why we do not list your name or any personal information on our web site www.garagesaledirections.com. Your Garage should be LOCKED every night once the sale is advertised – even if days before the actual sale day(s). Any of your cars that need to be left out should always be locked – even during the Garage Sale. Doors to you house should be locked or an adult should be inside. ALWAYS have at least one other person in the Garage Sale area with you at all times. Ask friends or family to be with you (friends will usually bring items to sell and that's great).Watch for scams – where your attention is taken away by a screaming child, or a dog brought to the Garage Sale – if they can get your attention away from your items – something may go missing.
Speaking of missing items – MONEY – is the most often stolen item. Keep your money safe (in a fanny pack on you) and take excess cash inside often. You only need about $25.00 in change ($1.00 bills and change). I price and negotiate items to anything that uses quarters as change. Again, always have another adult with you, and if you have children running around, think of asking a neighbor to watch them, or hire a babysitter. You cannot work while you are chasing children, and a Garatge Sale is work!
Try to enjoy yourself and your visitors while watching out for your property – it is nice to meet new people and discuss items you have for sale.
Tip 3 - Advertising–
Yes your local or regional newspaper is one way to advertise your Garage Sale. However, many prospective buyers also drive specific neighborhoods, looking for signs, balloons, or anything that will indicate there is a yard sale going on.
Use these methods, but also be aware there is a rapid movement to advertising on the Internet, where more information can be put in your ad, pictures can be added, and you may even want to buy customized signage. Our site offers all these features and more – including maps and driving directions for buyers. We also provide you with an ad "ad number" to place in your newspaper ad to bring buyers directly to YOUR specific Garage sale, and we run you ad starting the Monday prior to your sale. But do not hesitate to list with us earlier, to allow time to have stickers, balloons or tags delivered.
Tell your friends about www.GarageSaleDirections.com .
Once you register on our site, buy that small newspaper ad, place this line in your ad : For more details see www.GarageSaleDirections.com "Ad number" xxxx. (You will receive your custom "Ad number" in an e–mail once you register on our page). There is a $1.00 verification fee charged, but you get up to 1000 characters to advertise your garage sale items, you can upload pictures (for a very small additional fee) and you can buy custom signs. Again, buyers will learn more about your garage sale than you can put in a classified, and they will get a map to your location.
However, no matter how you choose to advertise, check with your local government or homeowners association for specific rules and permits.
Yes – even home made signs on poster board bring buyers to your location. Just think about how you would find a garage sale, driving at 7 AM looking for an address you do not know? So signs, balloons, and directions all help. Do not forget the classified ads, we suggest them, but we also suggest you look at our web site and use the capabilities of the computer you are using now to advertise your garage sale.
Pick–ups – (not the trucks)
If you have large items, the buyer may have to arrange to come back to pick up the item. Make sure it's paid for before they leave, and have an arranged time for the pick–up. Get phone numbers and an address, and explain that if it is not picked up within YOUR "agreed upon time", you will sell it or dispose of it. I put this in writing, and have 2 copies signed (one for myself, and one for the buyer). The paperwork is easily done on your computer and printed before the sale. Just leave blanks for the Item, the date and time of the pick–up, and the cost. Make sure you are clear that if it is not picked up, or other arrangements are not "agreed on in writing" (an e–mail) you keep the payment and you may re–sell or dispose of the item. I know this sounds mean, but others have been left with Washers, Dryers, playground equipment etc, and the buyer only returns to get their money back. That's the last thing you want once your Garage Sale is over, you are closed, and there are no more buyers.
HAVE A TIP?
Have a tip you think should be here, or a comment? E–mail us at manager@garagesaledirections.com and include your permission to use your tip. We will try to update this page as often as possible.
Thank you.
