All is not lost if you decide to have your garage sale on a weekday. The benefit of having it during the week is that the people attending won't be garage sale hopping and holding out for better deals elsewhere.
Try to avoid a date that conflicts with any major holidays, as they may not be as profitable. Keep in mind that you can't accommodate everyone.
Be prepared for early birds. Someone always comes early! Decide if you're willing to accept people arriving any time prior to your advertised time of your sale. Don't be afraid to turn folks away, if they come knocking too soon and you.ve decided not to permit early birds. You're better off to be prepared than to have possible regrets later. If you do plan to permit early birds, be prepared the day before your sale or at the very least an hour before.
When planning the date, clear your family calendar for the entire day. You may want to recruit some help, so make sure others are available to assist. Give yourself at least a couple week's notice to organize well.
Getting the Word Out
You need to advertise your sale. You can advertise your sale in community papers, signs, local newspaper, word of mouth, laundromats, and grocery stores.
Advertising tips
· Displaying balloons at your house is an eye catching way to show where you're located.
· Your garage sale sign(s) should have arrows, be simple, readable, and bright.
· If you live on a side street, a few signs leading to your house is a good idea.
· If posting a printed ad, be sure it's printed on a weekend and offers a couple days notice because most garage sale buyers check out the ads Friday thru Sunday.
It's best if you can mention the best items in your ad to show that you have a good variety available and to attract the most people. Please remember to take your signs down after your sale too.
Pricing and Money Matters
Every item should be priced and easy to read. Label anything damaged or questionable "as is". I recommend using easy to remove price tags. Stickers and string hang tags work best. There is nothing more disappointing than finding an item at a sale and the seller has added the price directly on the item in black marker. Color coded stickers are great if you're holding a group garage sale with others.
It is sometimes beneficial to have current prices of what your items cost new. This can serve as a comparison to how good your prices truly are. Pricing can be set at about 1/2 the retail cost to you.
Prep tips
Post a sign if you're not accepting checks and that all sales are final. Don't hold items without a deposit. Be sure to have lots of change for your sale, a calculator, paper or sale's slips for receipts, bags, boxes, and newspaper to wrap things. If holding a group sale, plan with others the lowest price they.ll accept on their items.
Display Tips
Neat displays and groupings are recommended.
Long narrow portable tables work great.
Display large merchandise and some good items for both men and women visibly appealing from roadside. Items like tools, lawn equipment, weights, and electronics, furniture, baby gear, and bikes are good examples. If it looks like junk from roadside, people will drive right by and not bother to even stop.
Have an electrical source. This is for people to test any electrical items you have for sale. Maybe consider having these items plugged in already. Place breakables towards the back of tables or higher for protection against breakage.
Leave enough walking space for shoppers.
Clothing can be difficult to sell. You should arrange them neatly. Consider displaying them by color or size. Hanging clothes is best, but you can also fold items neatly.You can also try box lots. This box for $5.00 or everything on this table is a $1.00..
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