Garage Sales Tips

Garage sales are an excellent way of getting rid of some of your excess clutter and unwanted items, as well as making some money in the process. One person's trash is another person's treasure! Even at the expected cheap prices of a garage sale, it can be surprising how much it can all add up!

A bit of pre garage sale planning can make it run a lot more smoothly. Here are a few points to consider:-

Time of year can be critical. It is generally a better idea to hold a garage sale in the drier months (though maybe not in the height of summer) as rain is hopefully less likely- these days the weather is unpredicatable!

Remember that often dealers and other enthusiastic bargain hunters will turn up early. Either be prepared to start early, or keep items behind a closed roller door or gate, and do not open until the stated time. Have a note stating the opening time on the door/gate. Also keep in mind, if you open early, and sell most of the good stuff, you may have some irate people when they turn up at the advertised time and there's nothing decent left!

Decide beforehand what you want to charge for items. Price the items individually, or divide them into boxes, baskets, shelves, racks or whatever which are all for the sake price. You could put coloured stickers on items, each colour representing a price. People often like to know beforehand what sort of prices you are asking, and may just walk away without buying, rather than ask about the price, so you may lose sales.

Don't overprice things- be aware that garage sales usually have low prices, unless you have some specialist or in demand items. Attend a few garage sales yourself first, to see what prices things go for.

Have plenty of helpers... both to help things run smoothly and cater to your customer's needs, but also to be extra pairs of eyes in case of people trying to change prices, or even steal things!

Decide if you are willing to lower your prices... and by how much. Don't be badgered down, especially in the earlier stages, if you think an item is well worth what you are asking. Many people will try to haggle and get you down to near nothing.

Be prepared to be calm... garage sales can be stressful, and not everyone is nice- especially if they don't get their way with prices!

If you have some items that you don't feel are worth much, or you don't know what to charge, you could have a "make an offer" section.

You could also have a "give away" box, where people can help themselves, or choose something from when they make a purchase.

Have plenty of change, and keep your money box close to you at alltimes. Better still, wear a money belt/bag, so you can't accidentally leave it unattended when you are helping someone.

If you are selling electrical items, have a power point available so that customers can check the item.

Have batteries available for testing any battery operated toys etc.

If an item is not working, damaged or whatever, have a note stuck on it stating this.

Can you place garage sale signs with directions to the garage sale, on major roads? Be careful of what council regulations you may be breaking. Put ads on community noticeboards. Advertise in your local newspapers. Tell your neighbours- drop notes in their letterboxes.

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