Holding a successful garage sale is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to clear clutter from your home. As the warm weather continues in Phoenix, garage sales provide a great opportunity to get rid of unwanted items while at the same time maximizing garage space. In order for the sale to be successful, you will have to do more than display your unwanted items on the driveway and wait for customers to see a few cardboard signs on the street corner. Here are some tips from the Phoenix garage storage experts at Arizona Garage & Closet Design to help your garage sale be successful.

Get Prepared

Living in a Home Owners Association-governed community has its advantages and disadvantages. Garage sales are often times regulated by your HOA. Be sure to read your bylaws to find out what the rules and regulations are concerning garage sales in your community. Some HOAs require certain guidelines to be met, while other HOAs have designated, community-wide garage sale days. Signage is another important point to discuss. Find out how many signs you can have and where you can place them.

Set Your Goals

There are generally only two reasons to hold a garage sale: to get rid of unwanted items or to make money. Many homeowners desire both outcomes, but your primary goal will ultimately affect the price you set for your items and how much you are willing to negotiate with buyers.

Use Online Advertising

Craigslist, local garage sale websites, social media platforms, and online classified ads are all great ways to promote your sale. You should not neglect bright, clear, concise signage to guide people to your home from main streets. That being said, online mediums allow you to reach a much larger audience than street signs. Leverage the power of your more valuable offerings to entice visitors. For instance, if you are selling expensive, desirable pieces of furniture, advertise these pieces online to spike interest in people looking for similar items.

Make Customers Comfortable

The Phoenix heat can be oppressive even in the early morning during the summer months. Set up a shady canopy, keep cold bottles of water on hand to offer to customers, and connect fans to keep cold air circulating.

Simplify Pricing and Expect Negotiations

Clearly label items with a simple price in either dollar or quarter increments. For example, list all adult clothing for $5 apiece, DVDs for $2 each, and kid’s stuffed animals for $0.50 each. A good rule of thumb is to sell the item for a third or a quarter of the price you paid for it. Expect customers to haggle over prices and leave room for negotiation. For more valuable items, be clear about the lowest price you are willing to take.

Donate Leftovers

There will inevitably be items that do not sell at your garage sale. If you have items left over that did not sell, consider donating them to a local thrift store. If they were unable to entice interest at the sale, it is unlikely you will be able to sell them by any other means. Donation remains the best way to quickly rid your garage of unwanted items.

Organizing a garage sale may seem like an overwhelming task, but it is well worth the effort if you are able to clean out the clutter and maximize your garage space. Once your garage is clear, it will be easy to implement a garage storage organization system. Our garage organization experts will work with you to transform your garage into a functional and stylish area that reflects your unique lifestyle. Please contact Arizona Garage & Closet Design today for a complimentary in-home garage design estimate. 

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