Every few years, I get enough accumulated stuff that it becomes totally worth it for me to have a garage sale. Garage sales are my way of de-junkifying–but, not in the sense that it is “junk.” I want the stuff out, because it just is no longer working for me, but it is still really good, usable stuff. Plus, the money goes straight into our vacation fund, so I can usually convince The Girl and Monkey Boy to help out.
I’ve learned quite a bit over the years about having garage sales–or even better stated: having successful garage sales.
First things first, advertise. Use signs and craigslist to get the word out. For higher ticket items, take some pictures and include them on craigslist. People love that crap. Also, get change. You can keep it in a lock box, a money belt or wear an apron with pockets. The good thing about the apron is that if you are alone, you don’t have to worry about stepping away from the money. Also, have plastic grocery bags handy to bag people’s purchases.
Price all of your items the night before. This is essential. You WILL have early bird shoppers who will cramp your style if you are still out there pricing. The busiest time of the garage sale will be from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. After that, things will slow down significantly, so it’s just best to be prepared to deal with your customers straight out of the gate. Be realistic with your pricing. People expect screamin’ deals at garage sales. That’s the downside. The upside is that you would have probably just donated it otherwise and made nothing.
Next, get up extra early and make a crock pot meal {Go HERE for some recipe ideas}. Otherwise, by the end of the day, you will be too pooped to pop and will end up loading the family into the wagon to go out. This one little move cuts into your garage sale profits significantly. I have learned it the hard way, trust me.
Have the kids set up a muffin and coffee/tea stand. Lots of people do the slow drive by and then move on. Early morning coffee and muffins always entice them to stop and browse.
Make sure everything is displayed as orderly as possible. If you have clothes, hang them up–they WILL sell much better that way.
Haggling is a sport for some people–like they legitimately get thrills at the idea of it. Don’t be offended when people haggle for your stuff–meet them with counter-offers, {The garage sale game is very Donald Trump like. Embrace it.} Know your bottom line and have a little fun getting there.
Around noon to 1 p.m., it’s time to start slashing prices. Your traffic will slow down considerably, and unless you are interested in a marathon type garage sale, it’s time to make sure the stuff goes for at least some money.
Arrange for a local charity to swing by and pick up the leftovers or haul them that afternoon to the thrift store yourself. That way, you don’t have to haul them back into the garage, where they could potentially take up residence again.
How about YOU, what are your tips for having a successful garage sale?
~Mavis
Danielle O says
Great tips, Mavis!
We are holding a garage sale later this summer to help raise a little souvenir money for my 2yo’s Make a Wish trip to Disney, so this was perfectly timed & relevant. The kids are so excited to sell muffins & coffee in the morning (because they don’t have to get up & make it) — & then cookies & lemonade at lunch time (again, because they don’t have to make it)
More tips from our foreclosure sale with my mum last year:
– Re-adjust constantly: Go out in your sale & shift stuff around occasionally during down periods. Fill in empty spaces on the table of knick knacks. Mix up the arrangement of the clothes, so there’s always a “good” (name brand, real flashy, NWT) shirt at the front of the clothes hanger. Change up the display of books so different ones are on top. Just because one customer didn’t like Gone with the Wind on top doesn’t mean the next one won’t stop if they see 50 Jokes to Read While You’re on the Toilet.
– Play the “Grocery Store Game” & put your better items towards the back of the sale. That way people HAVE to walk through the rest of the sale to get to that really great item they saw you post on CL or that caught their eye while doing the drive by.
– Find THE ONE item… One of the most entertaining things we did during our garage sale was chose that ONE item that everyone kept touching but we just couldn’t get to sell. First it was this hideous costume dress that looked like the Mexican flag that my cousin used during our Relay for Life Ugly Prom Dress lap last year. Then it was a fringed 70s jacket my mom for whatever reason held on to for all these years. We got them both sold because we all knew the person who got it sold would get an extra perk! (We all kicked in a couple bucks & bought their lunch or soda or gave them an extra 15 minute break, whatever they wanted/needed).
Mary Ann says
We just had a huge sale a few weeks ago that was wildly successful. Our motivation was selling stuff to make money for an upcoming anniversary trip later this year. We had non-stop traffic and lots of buyers!
We live in the South so March is the start of the yard sale season here. I’ve learned we get the best crowds in March at the beginning of the season or in October as yard sales are winding down for the year. Also down here, most yard sales run from 7-noonish–always good to know what the typical hours are for your area, esp. if you don’t go to a lot of sales.
My other tip is to have good signs: bright colored with simple black writing so they are easily read, your address, the date of sale if there’s space( some people leave signs up long after the sale is over–annoying!) and arrows pointing the way!
Shari King says
I never price anything. It’s too time consuming when I rarely get the asking price anyways. If I have items that I must get a particular price, I’ll label the table, but usually I greet everyone with, “Make me an offer I can’t refuse!” It opens the door that I’m willing to haggle. Like you, I haul everything that’s left to the local charity.
Alex @ Building a Home on Less says
We’re getting ready to do one this May, and I plan on not putting prices on certain items, specifically the big ticket/good value ones. Lots of the small $.50 to $5 stuff isn’t going to make or break the sale, so pricing them and letting people haggle is a good way to build a rapport with the buyers. The big stuff (furniture, exercise equipment, electronics) is where the good deals can be had for both parties, thus I leave off the price. I would still have a reference price written down at the cash register, but not advertise that price. You never know when somebody will come in at $150 for that couch that you would have taken $75 for.
April Myers says
Thanks for this . . . I’m heading up the Famous Victor Flea Mart the day before Father’s Day, and I’m going to use several of these tips. Here’s hoping for a good return on a lot of volunteers’ efforts.
Noreen Nouza says
Two years ago I started grouping some items by price. For example, all $1 items were grouped together on the same table. The table was clearly marked with a placard. As customers walked around this table, we would point out, with enthusiasm – ‘if there is anything on this table you like, it’s only a buck!’ or $2, or $.50…you get the idea. It builds excitement and they love the deal. Most importantly, my junk becomes their treasure!
Danielle is also spot on with moving items around. Keep your tables stocked and full. As the morning progresses, either add more items or consolidate and remove a table. With too much open space, people tend to think you really do not have much and ‘dud garage sale’ fills the air. Hosting my first sale of season next Friday – come by my junk (really focused on downsizing this year-not just picking up a couple bucks)! (Oneida, NY)