Garage Sale novice - advice requested!

[KCMiller]

Hi,

I've never had a garage sale before, but I'd like to this year. I'm a bit nervous - never did anything like this before! I'm not sure how to price things fairly, how to set the tables up in the driveway without doing it while tripping over a bunch of early birds, how to handle early bird low bidders - if anyone has hosted a successful garage sale and lived to tell about it, please let me know!

And happily, I don't have any clothes to deal with - just household goods, knick knacks, kitchen stuff, some random furniture, bikes, etc.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

KC

 

[SC Minnie]

Sort your things, like items on the same table. Be prepared for people to offer you less, no matter what you price it. I usually try to price in increments of 0.25 to cut down on change. That's another thing, make sure you have enough change to start the day, $1, $5, $10, and quarters. People will show up at 5am and want to pay for a 50 cent item with a $20.

Have a plan on what you are going to do with everything at the end of the day. Bring it back inside or donate it.

 

[PinballFamily]

Wear your money - I've used a tie-on apron with big pockets - instead of a box on a table that could easily get swiped if you get distracted. And sadly, there are some folks who work together to do this on purpose...

Put your big items (furniture, etc) out closest to the curb. Our big stuff has always sold RIGHT at the beginning of the sale and it not only attracts attention, it is easier for the buyers to load it up, rather than having to haul it through all your other items to get to their car/truck.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[LJSquishy]

I agree with wearing an apron to hold your money. Home Depot sells little waist aprons for around $1 and they work great! And, as someone else said, have LOTS of change in $1, $5, and $10, as well as lots of quarters.

If you have a garage and have two people, set up your tables inside there the night before and in the morning carry them out to the driveway with the items on the tables. That is the easiest way. Otherwise, you really can't avoid the early birds and will just have to ignore them basically while you set up. People will ALWAYS show up 1+hr before your sale starts no matter how early you start. If you start at 6am, someone will show up at 5am. If you start at 8am, plan on someone showing up at 6am anyway. lol

I actually happen to love helping with yard sales...because I love seeing money come in. LOL

Clearly price items, group like-items, and make special signs for your large furniture items to attach to them. People will want to haggle with you...so be willing to go down if you truly want it out of there! You will get some very low offers on items but don't be afraid to stand your ground if you think you can get more out of it from someone else...just don't be upset if you turn someone away and don't end up selling it at all.

I always try to display things as nicely as possible. So, if you have a bunch of kitchen stuff, try and make it all look attractive so people will consider buying the whole lot.

Also, If people want to buy a ton of stuff, give them a great deal. People love deals and will buy more stuff if you are knocking the price down!

 

[tink_n_pooh]

If you don't want early birds make sure you advertise with "no early birds", we even used to go as far as putting up a sign at the end of our driveway (which is long enough people wouldn't park on the street) that would say something like Yard Sale Saturday & Sunday 8am - 4pm NO EARLY BIRDS

We normally had a pile of free stuff too, people loved that. Price things to sell and don't be afraid to make a deal to move a product, do you really want to bring it back inside the house? It can't hurt to have some plastic bags around for people to use for their purchases. Make sure you have a lot of change, more than you think you will need.

 

[erincon23]

Be sure to have someone else home with you, in case you have to run to the bathroom, etc. It also helps to have one person able to take the money and someone else to be up and walking around the driveway when there are customers -- it helps to have two sets of eyes on the merchandise, because there are people who will try (and sadly, often succeed) to steal. And kids will pick things up and walk away with them, not trying to steal, just being kids.

Put the tables up in your garage the night before, put all the stuff on them, and then lift them carefully (see, two people) into the driveway. That helps with the early birds.

Have batteries and an extension cord available so people can try out anything requiring power (don't sell them with the batteries, though).

Play music! That helps bring people in.

When customers start looking at your stuff, get up from your chair, greet them, ask if they're looking for something in particular. A couple of times, they've said they were looking for something I had in the house and wasn't using, but hadn't thought to put out for the sale -- and they bought it! It also puts potential thieves on notice that you're watching them.

And yes, people will try to offer you less -- have a good idea of what you're willing to sell things for (frequently I'll take the offer just to get it out of my house). Also know what you won't drop the price on -- I had boys' jeans, in really good shape, for $2. Someone tried to get me to take 50 cents -- sorry, you can't buy jeans at Goodwill for $2. They did sell for my $2 asking price, to someone else.

Good luck! We're doing one with our neighborhood in 3 weeks!