Gar(b)age Sales
A friend of mine was hoping to host a garage sale this past Saturday, but she cancelled it when it rained that morning. Although you can’t control the weather, there are some things you can do to be better prepared for a yard sale. I’ve re-printed what I think are the Top 5 from TheNest.com.
- Drum up business ahead of time. Take out a classified ad in your local paper, post a notice on a local Internet message board, and canvass the area with flyers. Identify the date of the sale plus the start and end times.
- Don’t get personal with pricing. As you’re surveying your pile of saleable goods, start pricing each item to sell. Remember, just because it pains you to part with your precious (and well-loved) New Kids On The Block T-shirt collection, it doesn’t mean it’s a collector’s item and worth $200.
- Set the mood. The idea is to make some cash, but it doesn’t mean you have to be all business. Cue the music, tie up some balloons, and create a festive atmosphere. Remember, you want to remain available for questions and have the opportunity to say hello and goodbye to everyone — even if they don’t end up buying.
- Slash prices at the halfway point. As your yard sale starts to wrap up, consider cutting prices in half. Make up a sign ahead of time and then bring it out a few hours before you’re ready to wrap up. You’ll increase your sales if people think they’re getting a better deal — everyone loves a bargain.
- Keep the Salvation Army on standby. Inevitably, you won’t sell everything at your yard sale. But don’t commit an organizational sin by dragging all of that stuff back into the house. Arrange a pickup by your favorite local charity and have the remaining stuff hauled away.
Have you ever hosted a garage sale? Was it successful or did you only make ten cents? Any words of wisdom to share with others? Are you a “garage saler” (sailor?) yourself? What was your best find? Boast away by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link below. Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is GARBAGESALE. Yes, there is a “b” in there because one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. :) The code will score you points until July 4th.
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:07 pm
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!
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:50 pm
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.
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:38 pm
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.
July 3rd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
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!
July 3rd, 2008 at 3:33 pm
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!