If you’re working on home organization, chances are good that you’ve come across quite a few items that you no longer need. If you’re amassing a pile of things that your family doesn’t have a use for anymore, it might be time to have a garage sale. If you have never held such a sale before, you might be totally overwhelmed by the prospect of advertising, setting up, pricing, haggling and dealing with the stuff left over at the end of the day. A garage sale can be stressful, but it’s nearly always worth it; not only will you gain extra space in your newly decluttered home, but you’ll make a few dollars, besides! Here are the top ten tips for holding a successful garage sale:
1. Plan the Date Well

Don’t plan a garage sale on the Fourth of July or Mother’s Day or on any other holiday weekend, when people are likely to be traveling. Also, if your community is holding a neighborhood yard sale, plan to take part; the more people involved, the better the advertising and selections will be, and the bigger crowd you’ll draw. Another strategy is to try to schedule it on the same day as an open house taking part in your neighborhood; house-hunters might also be on the lookout for garage sales.

2. Go For Two Days

Fridays and Saturdays work well; the first day draws those looking for something specific, and the second day draws bargain hunters, as well as those who are only available on weekends. The strategy here is to be willing to drop prices, perhaps steeply, on the second day.

3. Advertise

Put up a free ad on Craigslist, or pay for an ad in the Arizona Republic or other local newspapers. You can also put up signs, but remember to go back and take them down after your sale, and to check restrictions on signage, particularly if you live in an HOA area. Include your address and the time and date of your sale, and if you don’t want people knocking on your door an hour before you open, specify “no early birds.”

4. Price Wisely

You need to face facts when pricing: if it’s taking up room in your house and you want to get rid of it, you might have to practically give it away. Visiting other people’s garage sales will give you a good idea about reasonable prices; if you don’t have time for that, try labeling clothing at a dollar apiece, books at fifty cents to a dollar and miscellaneous items between a quarter and a buck or two per piece. If you have bigger ticket items, then price accordingly, and be prepared to haggle.

5. Display Everything Neatly

Clothing should be hung up or folded neatly on tables, stand up books in boxes or between bookends, group like items together, and periodically go through and neaten everything up; if it looks like your items have been rummaged through, it may turn off potential buyers.

6. Be Friendly

Striking up a conversation will keep people there longer than it takes to simply give a cursory glance, and that’s the goal!

7. Have Small Bills on Hand

It would be embarrassing to not have enough singles or quarters to give change; be prepared by going to the bank the day before and picking up a roll of quarters as well as $20 in singles. As the day wears on, keep an eye on your change situation; you might need to send someone out for more small bills.

8. Be Honest

If an old television has no sound or an electronic only works half the time, say so; remember, your buyer knows where you live, and might not hesitate to show up three days later for a refund.

9. Be Willing to Negotiate

Know ahead of time what your bottom price for a particular item is, and drop the price if asked. On the second half of the second day of your sale, start slashing prices; you’re either going to have to lug all of this stuff back inside or take it to a charity or thrift shop, so you might as well get something for it.

10. Have a Contingency Plan

If you have a lot of items that haven’t sold, consider calling a charity who will pick it up for you, saving you the hassle of taking it somewhere. Remember to get a tax receipt!

Good luck with your garage sale and remember, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure!

Author Resource: Michelle Kulas writes about Top Ten Tips For Garage Sale Success, Arizona Garage Makeovers. Arizona Garage Makeovers is an affordable and reliable Company for garage organization in Phoenix AZ.

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