Garage Sale Virgin Here - Need Tips!

[Turkish Delight]

Hi Ladies

I am hoping to have a garage sale this weekend. All tips would be appreciated.

Do you do a letter drop to advertise?
How much for clothing items? I have a lot of brand clothes- hardly worn eg. esprit, adidas, converse

TIA

[~Lashes~]

biggest tip i found... make sure the weather is going to be ok! i had one and it was 43 one day, 44 the next!! never again!! also with most items, put a little more on the price you want as you will get hagglers!! or put up a big sign, no haggling, if your oposed to it that is!
there is a online site, gumtree you can place a add in your local section of it for free, my aunt had the best luck with her local paper, and signs on the telegraph poles & local shops. (they done lots of advertising and asked everyone how they heard about it)
as for clothes i dont know sorry.
hth.

[Dansta]

i second gumtree and maybe a local public notice board, i often seen signs for g'sales on the one near me. i also second the weather! and if it starts at 9am - people will be milling around at 8am 0.o but to make sure people know where it is - a chalk board (or cardboard) sign out the font with balloons so it gets peoples attention when driving past/walking ect helps as well.

[~Trish~]

If you can, advertise in your local newspaper. They're always advertised in the Leader in our area. You can also advertise on egaragesales to get a bit more exposure. Put signs up on signposts in your area and put lots of balloons out the front of your house on the day to get more attention. Also, say "no early callers" in your ads so you don't get inundated at 6am with dealers LOL.

In your advertisements mention that you have lots of designer clothing.

With clothing - put prices everything, some people don't want to have to ask and sometimes you're so busy with other people that others waiting to ask you for prices just walk away. Don't price them too high if you want them to sell and maybe make a sign saying something like $5 per piece or $20 for 5 (or whatever price you're happy with).

HTH

[~Lashes~]

Also, say "no early callers" in your ads so you don't get inundated at 6am with dealers LOL.

be warned, there are people who do not listen to this! i had it on mine, a guy knocked on the door at 6:30 asking to have a look and if i had any records, I WAS STILL IN BED!!! then he came back at 8 when i was startting to set up, told him to come back at the start time, didnt see him again, didnt care either RUDE so'n'so!!

[toomanyshoes]

Subbing because I want to see the responses in regards to selling brand name clothes.

I have a heap of not so cheap shoes I want to sell! and can't be stuffed with Ebay.

[Netix]

I'm paying attention to this thread too. I want to have a garage sale too as I cbf with ebay. I might be coming down your way this weekend to drop off a car, so I might have to stalk you if you have it this weekend!

Around here, everyone just seems to stick their signs to light poles and in the middle of roundabouts. Oh, and the notice board at Coles. Good luck!

[Turkish Delight]

You must come Netix. i owe you a very big hug!

So tomorrow:
1. invest in 2 helium balloons, put big sign on our For Sale/Sold house board in front of our house and tie balloons to the board too.
2. print off garage sale letter drops mentioning "no early birds" and list of items i have for sale. Do letter drops
3. need to buy sticky dots for prices

I might even sticky tape a sign to my car back window too, advertising my garage sale.

I've never done this before and i am so nervous about it.

Do you hang the clothes or fold on table?

Thanks ladies.

[~Trish~]

You'll have a ball TD!

I'd hang the clothes, they're easier to see and go through

[Turkish Delight]

Hope i do!

For those that have had garage sales, how much have you made?

[Fleur]

We made about $500 years ago, we had a fair bit to sell...we got rid of an old TV for $80 and an electric frypan (which worked fine but I hated cleaning it) for $20, stuff like that bumped our total up a bit.

Definitely advertise in your local paper if you can, that's the first place I look if I'm going. Signs on the day so random people driving around can see them, and balloons are a great idea.

Try & have stuff 'out' not all tucked away in the garage, if the weather is good - you will get people who will drive past slowly & only stop if it looks like there's something worthwhile there (me )

With clothing definitely mention that it's designer clothing in any ads etc, it will grab the attention of the right people. If there's a lot on near us when we go I tend to only go to those that have interesting sounding stuff listed.
Be prepared though that people are coming for an absolute bargain - they won't want to pay much.

Have prices clearly marked. Also if you have stuff you're not fussed on making money on, have boxes or tables marked at '0.50c each' or '$1 each', people will dig through for a bargain. Any clothing you want real money for, hang it - easier to see, makes it look better too.

Make sure you have plenty of change.

Have fun!

[Netix]

Hey TD! Did you have your garage sale? If so, how did it go???