Garage Sale 101

[BlondeCurlGirl]

Howdy all, I debated putting this up in the advice forum, but decided this was more for the general chat category. Sorry this is such a stupid thread! :o


On Saturday, I'm planning on hosting my first ever garage sale. Seeing as how I've never done it and really have never gone to any sales myself, I am a garage sale virgin! I'm asking for any advice you can offer and suggestions for a successful sale.

Since my city has areas of people who are both very well-off financially and not so well-off, what do you typically charge for clothing items? We have some nice stuff (some never worn/gifts/quickly grown out of) and want to get the most possible. T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Sweaters, Jeans, etc.

Also, what is a good amount of change to have on hand? Do most people want receipts?

Know of any items in high demand right now I should be digging around the house for?

Thanks so much!
BCG

[dreamgurl]

well about five dollars in coins is good, recipts aren't a big deal it's mostly as is, plenty of plastic bags( the grocery bags) ppl want those to put everything in, and little dust collectors as i like to call them, um..ceramics do well, kids clothes, and toys go over big

[Lilith]

In past sales, I have done garment racks with nicer clothing all priced seperately and boxes or baskets with other clothes all pieces the same price. I can't tell you good prices cause I have no business sense. If it's clothes I just want to get rid of then .50 or $1 each piece works for me. If it's better stuff I usually just sold it on Ebay.

[Cheyanne]

LOL ~ the dreaded garage sale..... :dizzy: :spin:

Usually, I will have around $20 worth of change.. mostly quarters. I usually mark items in quarter increments to make adding up stuff and making change easier. Then I have around $30 worth of ones... and about $40 worth of $10 and $5.... (I know, seems like a lot, but we are in the country.. and usually sales on on the weekends.. can't go to the bank to get change if I run out) I also keep all of the money in a fanny pack so I can wander around and help people if needed. And then I don't have to worry about leaving the money if they need help.

As far as marking a price.. my take on it is this.... I want to get rid of it, and if I mark it reasonable, then it will go away. If I have something that is really nice, I will generally mark it about 1/3 of what it cost me in the store. If I feel that it is worth more than that, I will mark it that way, but will "dicker" with people if they truly want it. (Or we have a couple of consignment shops around that I can take that nicer stuff too)

I don't like to pingeon hole people by how they appear... well off or in need, but those of us who do go to garage sales do go to find bargains and to save money.... kids clothing, teen clothes, are in high demand in our area.

Have fun... :dizzy:

[dicksbro]

You probably want to make sure the garage is clean and freshly painted before you try to sell it. :D :D

Just kidding. The others are giving good advice. Good luck.

[fzzy]

put up as many signs as you can in your area ... the more you put up, the more likely people will find you.

[Irish]

BCG---I've never had a Garage sale,only a few yard sales!
Advice---Don't plan on getting,what things are worth.All you can get,is the money that people can spend!They are also,looking for a bargain!
If you can,the variety of items can be increased by sharing the sale,with relatives & friends.
Expect people to come late in the day,to get bargains on things!
Around here,there are people,that actually make a living,by coming,late in the afternoon,getting what you have left over& having their own sale when they have enough things!
Big things,like exercise equipment,don't sell that good because people don't have even near the money that they are worth.
Irish

[Steph]

And, of course, you're going to have people showing up early, no matter how many times you stress "no early birds".

See if the local paper has a section for garage sales - the ad is usually quite cheap and a lot of people plan their Saturday bargain hunting with that page of the paper.

[Kissy]

I would say baby/kids clothes are the most in demand here. Every time I go to look at some they've been picked over! :p And not only do people usualy not have a lot of money for big items, but no way to move them.

[Irish]

Kissyface---You're right about not being able to move big
things.In the last yard sale,that my wife & kids,had,I sold a
Soloflex w/attachments for a prettygood price.Even-tho,I had it
dissambled as much as possible,the sale depended on if the
customer,could borrow a pickup!I had a Weslo CardioGlide+ for
sale.My oldest daughter wanted to buy it.I have a Jeep Grand
Cherokee Loredo & I brought it to her apartment for her.I ended
up giving her that! Irish

[PantyFanatic]

BCG, You are getting as sound advice as you can for not having done even the barest field research.:eek:lol I will only hope to add some tweeks you may want to consider.

Have enough change “available” as recommended to not be the one that has to take a little nip if it gets to that. If they stand hard on the $11.00 purchase, you don’t want to take the $10.00 because you don’t have the four singles.

Be ready to state “I don’t have a lot of change. Why don’t you take two more and make it an even $5 instead of $4?” ;) or “I’ll give you one more at $?? (1/2 off) and we can make it an even $10.” or “Take both of those and you can have everything for $??.”

Take Fzzy’s advice on signs to heart. LOTS of signs! Put them up far enough ahead for drivers to have time to think about it. Never mind making them try to read and remember an address. Just “BIG GARAGE SALE- ½ Mile Ahead!, 10 Blocks Ahead!, NEXT RIGHT! Then a BIG arrow or balloons at the corner of your street or drive. Make them on Day-Glow or bright colored paper, then paste that to cardboard. (cheaper than colored poster board) Keep them looking hand made and not something from a commercial operation. [you may ponder putting a typewriter size note on the bottom of each sign saying “This sign is displayed for a garage sale at ????? Lake Dr. and will be taken down by ??:?? o’clock”, to show responsible intent and avoid a resident that may have to clean up similar unretrieved trash from making your day short]

You may want too make a point to be sure each customer hears a “HI! :D Look around at everything.” They are going to do it anyway, just make them and their wallets feel welcome.

(Just a thought):o

[BlondeCurlGirl]

These are some really great suggestions! I knew you would be a good group to poll for advice! :)

Thank you so much everyone! I will definitely keep these in mind as I'm finishing up plans for the sale and on the day of!

I'm hoping to make a little bit of spending $ for my time and trouble since I haven't worked all summer! :p