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Sellers:
Choose a day
and time to start your garage sale. Decide if you want to go solo
with your sale or recruit other families in your neighborhood. Many
times a neighborhood sale will draw more people. Avoid holiday weekends,
unless you know there is increased traffic in your area. Be prepared for
early birds. You may want to consider stating in your ad whether you
accept early birds or not.
Choose what you
want to sell. You should try to have a big variety of items. Many
collectors and dealers frequent garage sales, so don't be afraid to
include one of a kind type items. (Ex: one single glass or one
individual dish)
Displaying your
items can make the difference in sales. Neat displays and groupings
are recommended. Be certain all your items are clean and dust free. Long
narrow portable tables work great too. Every item should be priced and
easy to read. We recommend using easy to remove price tags. There is
nothing more disappointing than finding an item you would like to
purchase at a sale and the seller has added the price directly on the
item in black marker.
Display some good
merchandise towards the road. Items such as men's things like tools,
lawn equipment, weights, electronics etc are good to encourage the men
to stop when the wife may want to stop as they are driving by. Also, add
some good stuff visible from roadside. It needs to look worthy of
stopping. We know when we drive by a sale and peek from the car, if it
looks like a pile of clothes or junk from the road, we won't even bother
stopping.
Be sure to place
breakables towards the back of tables or higher for protection against
breakage. You need to think about parents that bring children with them.
Adult clothing can
be tough to sell. You should arrange them neatly and according to size.
You can also try a "filling a bag for $1.00" to get rid of them faster.
You can also try box lots. This box for $5.00 or everything on this
table $1.00. You can also try grab bags of small toys.
It is sometimes
beneficial to have current ads of items and what they cost new. This can
serve as a comparison to how good your deal is for the buyer. If you
don't have an ad, a simple index card stating retail value is a good
addition.
You need to
advertise your sale. Be sure to check your area's ordinances. You
may be required to obtain a permit for your garage sale. You can
advertise your sale in community papers, signs, local newspaper,
Laundromats, and grocery stores, etc. Adding balloons at your house is a
colorful way to show where your sale is located. Your garage sale sign
should have arrows. If you live on a side street, a few signs leading to
your sale is helpful. Remember to take your signs down after your sale.
The best day to post your ad is Thursday, for a Fri-Sun garage sale or
previous weekend for upcoming weekend sale. Adding balloons at your
house is a colorful way to show where your sale is located.
Be sure to have
lots of change for your sale. Don't forget lots of coins, dollars,
and a calculator. Also, think of how to wrap things. (Like newspaper for
breakables, couple spare boxes, and grocery bags) If you don't have a
portable cash box, a fanny pack is a good way to keep money safe. Have
receipt book for those who request a receipt.
Don't accept
any checks. That is too much of a risk.
Be sure to have
an electrical source. This is for people to test any
electrical items you have for sale. Maybe consider having these items
plugged in already.
Pricing can be set at about 1/3 the retail brand new cost to you.
Obviously, some items will not yield 1/3, such as clothes or books.
Be prepared to
haggle, so set your prices accordingly. Don't allow anyone to
intimidate you. Be firm and don't reply in an uneasy or uncertain tone.
If they ask you for something for a quarter and it's clearly worth more
than that, just say nicely my price is firm on that item, I feel it is
worth what I am charging or counter offer them and say I am willing to
accept this for it.
Don't be a
high-pressure salesperson. Give your buyers some freedom to look
items over, but be ready to answer questions if they ask.
Plan some
activities. This will make the time go by for you nicely. Consider a
good book and some nice music.
Consider
selling some refreshments. Many people are going from sale to sale
and it gets hot. I have been to several block sales where neighbors have
had even hotdogs and chips.
Be sure to have
a notice that all sales are final. This will protect you later.
Do not have
your pet with you during your sale. Many people are pet phobic or
allergic.
Buyers tips:
Bring lots of
change.
Go early for the best items. Go on last day of sale for cheap items.
Look over items for chips.
Bring a map.
Bring refreshments in case it gets hot.
Don't be shy to haggle.
If there are items
that you are looking for, don't forget to mention it; the owner may just
have something else they are willing to sell.
Be polite. Don't
push, shove, or block tables. (This may seem funny, but I have been to
many sales where dealers and collectors have been ruthless)
Avoid impulse
buying. Don't buy because you think it may be valuable. Buy items you
really like to avoid disappointments.
Remember to enjoy
yourself and have fun.
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