Selling excess stuff gives your family room to expand or actually park the car in the garage. Instead of deciding at the last minute to hang signs and wait to see if anyone shows up, spend time on five key areas in order to turn a profit.
What are the best pre-sale organizational tips?
Ask your municipality if garage sales are legal. You also will need to find out if you can post signs along the road or in the yard. Consider inviting your neighbors to participate. A large selection draws more buyers and means more profit for everyone. You don’t want strangers walking through your home or garage poking through items that aren’t for sale. You’ll need to cover or hide personal items that aren’t for sale.
Wash anything that’s dirty, and repair broken items that can be salvaged. Buyers won’t pay high price for a stained coffee table or broken construction equipment like hand or power tools. If you’re looking to sell heavy or bulky items like furniture or appliances, renting used trailers could help persuade the buyer to purchase the item. Many buyers opt out of buying larger items simply because they have no way to haul it, but if you help in this process, it can mean profit in your pocket.
Is location important?
To make money- buyers need to see the sale. Choose a location near a main road or set-up a table at a community sale. If you’re choosing to use an outdoor location, plan an alternative sight in case of inclement weather.
What are the most effective advertising strategies?
A single sign in the yard probably won’t draw enough attention to turn a profit. Instead, post signs along the main road and all entrances to your development. You can also post on a community billboard, Craigslist or the newspaper. Post the signs a week before the sale. Use bright colors and neat lettering, include the street address and arrows pointing to your location. Laminate then secure the signs so they’re not ruined by bad weather.
How can you effectively merchandise your Items?
No one will walk into your garage sale and dig through boxes of junk. You need to empty boxes, then sort and arrange the items attractively. Borrow tables for items or clothing racks to keep your garage neat and organized. Sort like items together. Construction equipment, for example, stays separate from fragile vases. Larger items like buggies or bikes should be stationed in the driveway to display, but not over shadow all the items spread on tables. If you have a set of the same items, like drinking glasses or knickknacks- display one with a note that will indicate it’s one of a set.
Keep all items off the ground to protect them and delineate them from trash. Place toys near the ground level to attract the attention of children. Valuable items should stay near you to prevent theft. Run extension cords and carry extra batteries to demonstrate electronic items for potential buyers. These personal touches increase sales.
Is a price tag necessary?
Especially if you have a garage full of items for sale- price each item. To determine the price, research each item online. Expect to make half of the retail value. Don’t place price tags on just anything that could be ruined by the actual pricing tag or label. Although you price everything, bartering is an acceptable garage sale procedure. Be willing to accept a reasonable barter. Make selling and buying easier when you price items in 25-cent increments. Sell more items when you stock small bills and coins before you open for business.
How to increase your profit on sales day
Everyone loves freebies so advertise a free car wash, coffee, or other incentive. To safeguard profit, guard the cash box or keep the money you make in your pocket. These and other tips guarantee success as you sell items you no longer want or need. With effective organizing, advertising, and pricing in addition to a great location- you keep the numbers doubling and score free parking in your home’s garage.
Trice says
Great information….my kids wants to have a yard sale soon.
jheylo says
i've tried garage sale before. i was trying to sell all my children's stuff but it was very unfortunately i didnt sell anything and it was only half a day. i eded up donating all the stuff to thrift store 🙂
Angie says
Yet another great informative post! My family had a yard sale last year and I really wish we had been more prepared! TY!
Malia says
These are great tips! I'd like to have a yard sale before the end of the year!
Melinda Dunne says
Thank you for posting the great tips. We will be having a garage sale in the spring when we do spring cleaning.
Shydub says
I like going to a garage sale, yard sale, or flea market. I find all the items fascinating and great savings too, however, never done any yard sale yet maybe someday. Thanks for sharing this info
Tom Shewbridge says
Great article, wonderful information! Thanks for sharing. I plan to do one next year. We will see how I do.
Sue Invegas says
Great info! Were having a community Garage sale soon so this is great to know!
Bless says
Great post! My first garage sale in summer was a success. Though I still have other stuff left but those big items I wanted to get rid of were sold.
jheylo says
i should take this tips that way next time when i do garage sale it'll be profitable 😀
Stock Donations says
Its raelly a motivated post and have some crazy ideas for making the life better.Thanks
lisa says
All good tips. I also like that at times our local paper gives free Arby's coupons for advertising.
Maria Iemma says
Now that spring is finally here I am thinking of having a garage sale and been looking for tips on how to improve the chances of having a profitable one. Thank you very much for the tips.
Susan Bewley says
So glad they helped!
Maria Iemma says
Now that the weather has improved I am getting ready to have a garage sale and I appreciate all your tips and ideas. I know I need to get organized before the sale.
Deborah D says
Over half of these tips I never thought of. I will definitely put these into practice at my next yard sale.