Comments on: Gar(b)age Sales

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:33:34 +0000

talk about having frustrating weather!
We have been trying to have a garage sale for the past month…carefully timed with kids sporting events, family dues and of course THE WEATHER!
How can you possible get an accurate forecast on Wednesday (the deadline for our local rag) for a Saturday sale…
Going to try again for this Saturday…
(anyone wanna buy 2 SeaDoos?)

Carly’s Note: By all accounts, you should be safe this weekend. Good luck!

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:31:19 +0000

Hi Carly,
My boss had a garage sale the summer i got divorced so i bought a whole bunch of dishes and other kitchen stuff at a bargoon at her garage sale!
Also, her daughter ran a lemonade stand that day and it was a scorcher so i thought that was good planning on her part too.
have a great day.

Carly’s Note: Things tend to go cheap at those divorce sales - including, sometimes, the house!

By: Mayablue

Mayablue — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:38:44 +0000

Hey Carly ….
Every spring (early May) we have a garage/lawn sale. We’ve found the key is to advertise. You’ve got to tell everyone you know, and in some cases have a ‘pre-view’ the night before.
The big ticket items always go fast, if they are priced right.
And don’t forget, you need a crowd pleaser - we always have a everything for a buck table - this is always the first to clear. And yes, you need to be willing to let somethings go that cheap!!!
Hey, if it’s a hot day - have the kids run a lemonade/cookie stand.
And remember, you’ve got to be ready to ‘yap’ it up with your customers …
Enjoy!!!

Carly’s Note: Spoken like a true veteran! Thanks, Mayablue.

By: Louie

Louie — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:50:49 +0000

I’ve never had a garage sale personally, but I did give stuff to my mom, aunt, and cousins to be sold. I went by and helped them out a little later.
Make sure you’ve got lots of change available. Lots of people come armed with $20 bills for something that costs a quarter.
Also, put “not for sale” signs up on the stuff that you’re using for the sale itself. Some people ask if the chair you’re sitting on while waiting for buyers is for sale, or the radio that is keeping everyone entertained.

Carly’s Note: You’re right - lots of change is key. Some ATM’s used to dispense $5 bills, but those days are long gone. I suspect many people show up with $20 because that’s all they can get their hands on over the weekend.

By: Claire

Claire — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:07:23 +0000

Hi Carly,
Had a great sale a couple of years ago. My hubby dressed up as Santa, and we put an old Christmas tree (fake of course) in the driveway. I used it to hang a ton of “junk” off of. We had Christmas music playing off an old tape deck (which we were selling).
Man, talk about a hit of a sale!
We had people from all over the neighbourhood coming by, and I made a few good bucks too. Sold pretty much everything.
A little twist to the typical garBage sale, lol.

Carly’s Note: Christmas in July - I love it! And apparently, everyone else did, too. Great idea!