Having a garage sale takes a lot of work and can be extremely frustrating if you are not used to holding such an event. To avoid any headaches and to make the process efficient, follow a plan from beginning to end. A well-planned garage sale often means a more successful one, which means more money in your pocket at the end of the day.
Pick a Date
The first step is to choose dates and times for your garage sale. Most people go with Saturday mornings, but you can add Sunday to a multi-day sale if your schedule allows. You’ll get a larger crowd if you start early because people won’t have to interrupt their day to attend your sale, and it’s likely to be cooler out which is an important thing to consider especially in the heat of summer.
Gather Your Goods
Garage sales offer a great way to declutter and downsize your house. Grab a box and go through every room. Pick up anything you don’t want or haven’t used in months and toss it in. Don’t underestimate the value of what you find either; people will buy anything from old CDs to unwanted bottles of perfume. After all, the worst-case situation is that something doesn’t sell.
Advertising Your Garage Sale
There are dozens of websites where you can advertise your garage sale for free. Post an ad on as many as you want but aim for at least three. Feel free to describe your items in detail but avoid sounding like a marketing executive. Simply tell people what you have and when you’ll have it, and let their own imaginations work out how wonderful it is. It’s also a great idea to use free social media marketing sites to get the word out in your local area.
Make Garage Sale Signs
Check with your local council regarding where you can place your garage sale signs in your local area. Make a garage sale sign including your address and an arrow pointing towards your house, and then stick them in the ground.
Preparing for the Sale
You’ll need chairs to sit on, a table or other flat surface to take payments and provide change, and a safe place to keep your change. Dedicate a room in your house to garage sale planning and divide all your items by categories, such as clothes, books, home goods, and kids’ toys. Arrange your tables and put all the clothes on hangers the night before the garage sale.
Price Your Items
It’s best if you price your items individually rather than just group them into boxes with one price sign. As the garage sale progresses, people will get the boxes mixed up and you’ll have a hard time keeping it organized.
Work for the Crowd
In an ideal world, a garage sale would work like Target. People would come in, grab what they wanted, pay, and leave. Unfortunately, people see garage sales as a sort of interactive shopping experience. They’re going to ask questions, they’re going to bargain, and they’re going to check out everything. You’ll do better if you don’t act pushy. Just stay seated, shout out a friendly hello when people walk up and let the customers come to you.
Deal with Leftovers
You’re going to have leftover stuff. You can just put it all on the curb with a free sign, but that won’t get you any more money. Instead, consider taking the leftovers to a charity store. If you have large items left over, like a couch or a TV set, consider selling them online.
