We are the self-proclaimed kings and queens of garage sales in our area at least. It started off when we were asked to do sell the contents of a family friends estate and we have not been afraid to do it since. Since then we have been slowly dealing with our stuff issue; it comes when you combine several homes into one. I won’t lie a good garage sale take a little bit of work to organise one but often the benefits of additional cash and decluttering your home make it worthwhile.
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- Gather your items. Go from room to room including your shed or garage putting things aside for it. Ensure the items are clean, work or if they are missing a part make a note of it on the item. Don’t be dishonest about what you are selling that’s simply not nice. Turf it instead. If it just requires a coat of paint or a wipe down to make it sellable do so- you may just make a couple of bucks.
- Have something for everyone- you would be surprised what people are after. I find the biggest lover of garage sales are men looking for old tools, old bottles and car parts. Women that attend seem to love vintage crockery, bags and furniture. Kids love books and naturally, toys are winners.
- Ensure you price correctly (a five dollar top from Kmart will not sell for five dollars no matter how much you loved it or took care of it) and write it clearly. Have a few bargain items amongst your ‘ stock’, also, don’t be afraid to drop your price or do bundles. Write your prices on some stickers.
- If you don’t have a lot of stock but want to hold one anyway ask neighbours if they want to add to your sale. People will often do a drive by to see if its worth parking and coming in to look. Ensure they clearly mark the price of the item and don’t ever negotiate the price without discussing with them first.
- Tell your neighbours so they can prepare themselves in case someone parks across their drive or additional traffic is a problem such as shared driveways.
- Get the kids involved they might like to become entrepreneurial and make ice cups or sell soft drinks.<
- Make sure your ‘sale’ is in a clean and tidy location. Place things in groups such as furniture together, kitchen items together and garage sale stuff together.
- Advertise everywhere including on buy swap and sell sites. All social media and the old-fashioned poster never hurts. Make sure your times are clear but be prepared for those arriving well before opening time. I have seen people banging on doors at 6 am when the sign clearly said 8 am.
- Put signs up a few days before will help people to find your location easily.
- Have several people on hand to stop people from walking out without paying. Perhaps someone up the front and someone down the back with your kid’s eagle eyes also looking out.
- Cover, lock or corner off what is not for sale in your home. People are intentionally or unintentionally nosey. Keep doors locked.
- Have lots of change on hand. I know some people will say have lots of payment options but its a garage sale. Cash is part of the fun. Be sure to take any big notes out of your cash tin and put it securely away regularly.
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- Most importantly have fun. Play some music and get chatty {perhaps my favourite part} you never know the people you might meet and the friendly you are the more you sell. If you don’t sell alot you still had a great day just hanging out.
xx Deb
