Garage Sales- How I like to have them

I have said it before, many times, I love Garage Sales. I even like to have them. In the last few years I have had 9 or so. Why so many? Too many reasons to get into. Let’s just say, moving. To par down the stuff. 

I love stuff, but sometimes you are ready to let go of it. I have used it, and I am done, time to move on.

Here are a few tips that have worked for me. I hope you can find something useful to help you have a successful garage sale.

1- Plan ahead- I start collecting things for my sales months before hand. I put an empty box in the garage or basement, and as I come across things to sell- they go in it. It helps to have everything pulled out ahead of time.

2- Have a One Day Sale- I have read blogs and such that suggest a two day sale will bring the most reward. This has not been my experience. The true Garage Sale shopper will hit only one day. If they can’t go on the Friday, they will skip the Saturday. The reason behind that is the good stuff will be bought on the first day, if not in the first two hours. 

3- Make your Sale time short- There is no need to have a sale go until 5:00pm. Most garage sale shoppers are done by 12:30pm- 1:00pm. And most sales start at 9:00am, which is a good 3 and 1/2 hours of shopping if you start early. I usually have my sales go from 9:00am to 2:00pm. 

4- Advertise on Craigslist- I always put an ad on Craigslist. I have put it up a few days before, as well as the night before. The most seasoned garage sale shopper will check the ads the night before. Make sure to included lots of photos. You want people to see what you have, and make them want to come to your sale.

5- Supplies- It makes me crazy that you need to buy stuff to sell stuff. But you really do! Make sure you have stickers for pricing. And Painter’s tape works well too. 

You will need Signs or poster board to make signs. 

And be sure you know how you are going to hang/post your signs. Tape, nails, or stakes. 

You will need markers or Sharpies for the signs and for pricing. 

There is nothing I hate more, than going out the night before to buy supplies.

6- Take a day to prepare- I usually spend the day before doing all the real work of the sale. Make your signs. Collect all of your stuff to one spot. Have bags and small boxes for your customers to take things home in. Get your tables ready, and set them up.

Of course I know everyone is short on time. Spread out the work over a few evenings during the week before if you need to.

7- Make sure to CLEAN everything- I can not tell you what a difference it will make. If it looks  clean and well cared for, it is more appealing to the buyer. I am not saying to scrub everything, just wipe it down. Run dishes through the dishwasher. Throw clothes and linens in the dryer to get the wrinkles out. I always have a least one customer comment on how nice and clean my sales look.

8- Make it Appealing- I always try to put sheets or tablecloths on the tables when I set up. That way your customer is looking at your stuff, not that old paint spill on your card table.

9- Group like items together- If you have more than one candle holder to let go, put them all together. They will have more of an impact staged together.

10- Be flexible on the price-Always be willing to Negotiate on the sale price. Some of the fun of going to a Garage sale is getting a good deal. But You have to decide if you want to get rid of stuff or make money. Sometimes by going down a little in price, you can do both.

If you have something valuable that maybe is worth a bit of money, a Garage sale may not be the best way to sell it.

11- Be prepared for Early Birds- No matter how early you start your sale, you will always get shoppers who come up to an hour before you are even supposed to start. Remember- early shoppers are a good thing! It  means some of your hard work is starting to pay off. 

One time, I sold $100 worth of items before my sale even started! 

Well worth the time of getting up early, if you ask me.

12- Say Hello- Always greet your customers. Such a simple thing to do. 

But I have been to too many sales where the sellers are sitting in chairs not saying a word. 

Or they are chatting with a friend or family member sitting in the chair next to them.

I am always standing or walking around my sales. I talk to everyone who comes to my sales. I see it as a very small gesture that I can do for them. They came to my sale after all!

13- Always Thank a customer for a sale- Again such a small gesture. Thank you. Two little words, say them every time. 

14- Take a break when you can- Just stepping in the house for a moment can make such a difference. Get a glass of water, sit down for a minute. Then smile, and head back out.

Having a Garage sale is a lot of work. But it can have great reward! You clean out your house a bit, and make a little bit of money. How can that be a bad thing?

These are just a few tips on how I make my sales a success. I hope you have learned a little something to take your sale to the next level.