Garage Sale Tips

[happybratpack]

So I'm planning my first-in-ages garage sale for this next Saturday and I'm looking at this giant pile of junk trying to get motivated to price everything. Any garage sale tips or hints that made yours a success?

I'm planning on lining the driveway with tables, I can't stand sales where stuff is spread on the ground.

 

[vegasnative]

You've said what would be my two tips I would give. Get everything up off the ground, and make sure everything has a price on it. You can buy pricing labels at Walmart or Office Depot cheap. Many times people won't bother to ask how much something is, they will just walk away from it. Good luck!

 

[darthspud]

if you have a dollar tree store near you they sell the price stickers for 2 packages for a dollar i always stock up on them i buy like 4-6 packages i tend to have 2-3 yard sales a summer and this year I will be having more then that I am moving out of state so I have absolute tons of things to sell... I would designate a spot in the house to put priced items... if you have a garage the night before your yard sale set up all the tables and put your items out for display that way in the morning all you need to do is move the tables out into place because no matter whether or not you say no early birds there are always early birds... put an add on craigslist starting the wednesday and then every day till your yard sale and then again the morning of.. type your ad out in word and then you can just cut and paste it onto craigslist .. make sure you get your change the day before and have plenty of ones and a few fives along with a roll of nickels, dimes, and quarters.. I always have my laptop out there set to disradio that way i have something to listen to and people kinda get into a festive mood

and most of all HAVE FUN

 

[jennyf2]

My sisters & I have a garage sale every year & make quite a bit of $$. My only suggestion is be organized. I agree with removing items from the ground--I am VERY organized when it comes to my garage sales.

--toys with other toys
--Christmas stuff
--scrapbooking
--books
--etc

I don't mix & match items on tables & I make sure everything is priced

Good luck & have fun-make lots of $$$$$ !

oops--almost forgot....we always sell soda & popcorn (my sister has an old fashion popcorn maker) & people love it

 

[brymolmom]

If you truly want it to move...price it LOW, LOW, LOW!

I can't stand going to garage sales and offering a low amount since something is way overpriced just to hear that it is name brand or whatever. Most people go to garage sales expecting cheap. You might get an occassional fan of that particular brand who is willing to pay a bit more. But your average customer (at least here in my area) wants it way low! You will get rid of it if it is priced to sell. For clothes - around here this means lots of 2/$1.00 stuff and maybe some $1.00 items (spring jackets, casual dresses in VG condition) and $2.00 items (dresses worn once or twice, winter coats or snow pants in very good condition). Most books 2 or even 4 for $1.00.

ANyway - it depends...if you want it to move - just price it bottom of the barrel (some people don't like offering lower too, so you won't lose these people if you already have it the lowest). If you really want to make some $$ - then it will take longer...and lots of advertising (like that you have specific brands).

 

[mamaLori05]

Whenever we have garage sales, we always put the larger big plastic toys out along the driveway (ones too big for tables), and then tables of toys out on the driveway as well. That seems to attract the most people. At least in our area, most of the rummage sale shoppers (not all, but most) are looking for kids toys and clothes. Once you grab their attention and they stop, they take a look at everything you have. If they don't see something that attracts them right off the bat, they do a drive by and keep going. Spread everything out as well, so it looks like you have more. The more people think you have, the more likely they are to stop. If it looks like you don't have much, they won't stop. We also sell soda, hotdogs in a crock pot, and chips.

 

[daisyduck123]

I've made anywhere from $950.00- $550.000 at my annual yard sales.

My best tips:

1) Be ready early...I'm set up & ready for business by 7am
2) Signs..make them BIG, colorful, with NEAT printing
3) Clean your stuff...I don't sell any dirty stuff
4) Use stickers & put a piece of tape over each one. (Some shoppers will switch the price tags)
5) Organize....I have a table for crafts supplies, kitchen stuff, bath stuff, etc
6) Keep your money WITH you in a fanny pack

 

[deerhart]

Put popular items out front!

We always put things we know will sell really well closer to the curb that people can clearly see.

I will also do a x amount for each but buy 4 for y amount, especially on stuff I want to get rid of and people are likely to buy in bulk (books, videos etc)

Be willing to bargain!

Have LOTS and LOTS of change. I usually start with 50 $1, about $15 in change and the rest in $5/$10

 

[4mickey2]

hey maryann... i love the bratpack site. do you do rescue? or just take in dogs that need homes? anyway love it!

back to the rummage. a friend of mine says what she puts on hangers sells and what is on tables not so much. so, if you have clothing get it hung up.

and advertise it everyday that you hold it on craigslist. it is free and so many people look there.

 

[Familyof4lovesDW]

I am so jealous. I wish I could have a garage sale. I wanted to have one during spring break but at this rate I think there will still be snow on the ground.
I try to have everything organized by boy or girl, size, then season. Thay way they can just go around the table to the next size. I also ask what size they are looking for so I can show them where they are. I hang up dresses, skirts, coats and sets so the tables are not as crowded. Have a lot of change. If you are everyones first stop they will all pay in $20 for $4 worth or stuff. I also try to put things on tables even if they are in tubs, so people do not have to break the backs to look. I have to have several signs because we are way back in the neighborhood so I also put arrows on my signs.
If you have kids let them do something fun like a lemonade stand. They actually made more than I did one day. Who can resist the little cuties
Good luck with your sale, I have all spring/summer to do mine to add to our disney fund since we are not going til Sept.

 

[dsny1mom]

I have *very* successfull garage sales. Besides the great advise already posted here are some of the other things I do.....

Check the local papers to see what days of the week others in your area run their sales. There tends to be regular days for cities/towns and those are the days the garrage salers will be in your community. If you see most sales advertised for Thurs and Fri then have your sale on those days.

The first week or weekend of the month usually gets you a larger turnout and sales.

Don't run your sale on a holiday weekend. Even non federal holidays like Mothers Day and Fathers Day will decrease traffic.

Once you know where other sales will be in your neighborhood go out and put up signs that will lead people from other sales to yours. This is good to do from grocery stores, thrift stores, etc too if you have them in your area.

Put large (I use a min of 2ft X 4ft cardboard) signs at the major intersections (at busy intersections with stop lights) in my area, and then use paper plate signs to direct people through the subdivision to get to me. I always put arrows on the signs so people know to continue straight ahead or to make a turn. I just put address, times and dates on the signs as that is all people really need to get to you and by omitting details the important info can be in larger print.

People like to haggle the price down (that makes them feel like they are getting a better deal) so I usually price a little higher than what my bottom line is on the bigger items.

I usually run my sales for 2 or 3 days. I will not take less than marked prices on most items the first half of day one. I tend to go half price on slower selling catagories or items on the final day.

One man's junk is another man's treasure. Put everything out there, even if you don't think someone will buy it, they just might. I have sold used shoe laces for .10 a pair and non working electronics for parts.

Have batteries and an extension cord (and outlet) at hand so people can see the items they buy actually work. This also cuts out people returning things they say don't work after they buy it and leave.

Go through your pantry before the sale and pull out items you won't use. Food items (nonperishable) sell very well and you'll make some money on items you would just toss.

Keep expensive smaller items at a table you will be close to. People will shop lift at garrage sales. I always have someone with me so one can circulate while the other stays at the table with the expensive items to actually take money and bag the items.

Save up plastic grocery bags. People want their item in a bag and it lets your helper know the item they are walking away with is paid for.

If you are donating a portion of your sale to a charity tell people and make a sign so people know they are helping a good cause while getting a great deal.

Check with your city to see if there are guidlines you must follow or a permit is needed.

Treat your sale like a store. Don't just sit there. Talk to people to see what they are looking for. Show them additional items they might be interested in based on what they are holding in their hands that they want to buy.

If you have LOTS of merchandise you might want to offer a pre sale day to neighbors. It gives them first crack at the bargins and a heads up that your street will be packed with cars the next or so and keeps them happy.



dsny1mom

 

[mafibisha]

This is another great thread! There are always several threads running in the spring summer, and I'll always do a SEARCH for more ideas before I do my sale.
Mods: How about a sticky for garage sales!

 

[ohlas]

if you have little kids let them run a kool aid / baking stand,,, gets the grandpa's out there every time for aleast a dollar every time,, i have cute smiling girls lol profit for kids is like 25 a day..

 

[kymom99]

My son sold lemonade at our last yard sale. He made a few bucks and had a great time! People were very nice!

 

[darthspud]

I planned on going to sams club and getting 2 packages of 36 bottles of bottled water and brownie mix and selling water for 50c each and brownies for 25c each and possibly some candy.. and of course whatevers left over i get to eat

 

[dyna]

The more clothing you can hang the better....even then it does pay to use baby (little) safety pins to pin the 2 or more piece outfits together. I hate the sticker tags always had more of them fall off than stick on clothing an started using the tags on thread an using safety pin an pinning on tags there was room to write size an price on tag an have it readable.

I agree LOW prices sells more stuff an makes more money in the end usually..

 

[Purseval]

Good directions and lots of signs along the way are very helpful. If you are advertising on Craigslist, in the paper or whatever post accurate directions and the address + zipcode for people who like to mapquest/google it themselves. I have seen homeowners associations take down all signs in a neighborhood because it wasn't an "official" yard sale so don't rely on them exclusively.