LOL beware: there are people who turn up at 4am!!!
Basically, set up the day before in the garage, and make sure EVERYONE (if you have others there maning the post) knows what you do and don't want to sell, and if you want a minimum price for anything specific!
Also, have some change handy.
Consider how much you want to haggle and price accordingly. Think, do I want to spend time negotiating price with people and perhaps being distracted or do I just want to accept their money straight up and move on to the next sale . Keep in mind that although there are lots of people who love to do a bit of haggling, there are also a lot who will pick up an item, think the price is too high and put it down again.
My philosophy with a garage sale is that people are basically paying you to take away your junk. In that way, I keep prices really low and encourage people to take it! My Dh was horrified with some of the crazy low prices I put forward, but I just wanted an empty garage at the end of it and it worked. They took everything and left us with $800!! Save the things you want bigger dollars for, for ebay.
Plus put price stickers on as much as you can as people are sometimes shy to ask... you are more likely to get impulse buyers that way.
If you don't have lots of helpers, make sure you have a little bit of food and drink for yourself as you go, just don't sell it! Also, keep your change box with you at all times. We misplaced ours at our garage sale and I thought someone had stolen it. A terrible feeling for a few minutes but all ended ok!
+ I agree with Pony and Leasha, lots of signs, plenty of change and being organised the night before. One other thing, maybe have a few grocery bags for people to carry away their treasures!
Have fun.
Last edited by jackrose; November 10th, 2009 at 07:03 PM.
: additional info
Lots of signs, advertise in the paper if you can also
Make sure your signs are visible for people driving past, and are clearly written. Adding balloons can also help.
Have a float with a few different notes in there and lots of small change. Make sure you take note of how much is in there before the sale begins though.
Price as much of everything as you can as it makes it easier for people. And do take in mind that people expect everything for nothing, so try and stand your ground as much as you can or compromise.
Try and have some plastic bags on hand and some newspaper to wrap delicate/fragile items.
Be wary of early birds (buggers!)
Ummmmm I cant think of anything else atm. We have had several successful garage sales though
I just helped a friend with her garage sell and people liked that she tied a few items of clothing together with a ribbon instead of selling individual pieces. (ie a whole outfit, or three pairs of jammies, or two tops and a pair of pants). She sold almost all of the clothes instead of being left with a bunch of mismatched items.
Label things for sure. I've been to a few sales and I hate picking up something and not knowing how much the seller wants for it, and if they are busy I just put it back without asking.
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Garage Sales - your tips
. Keep in mind that although there are lots of people who love to do a bit of haggling, there are also a lot who will pick up an item, think the price is too high and put it down again.
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