Garage Sale Advice Needed

I need to get rid of a lot of stuff - books, sofas, CD's etc. So I want to throw a garage sale.

Any advice/tips for a novie? Where is the best place to advertise?

Thanks!

advertise in your local paper (the Pennysaver). They used to have a deal that if it rained (on your day(s) of your sale) they would re-run your add for the following week

Try and do it on a Friday and Sat. My mom did that and really cleaned up on Friday.

Make lots of signs to hang in the neighboorhood!!

Good Luck!

BTW...what town are you in?

I don't know where you live however, I live on LI and put an ad in Nesday and it went very well.
Good Luck

Thanks for the tips - I live in Howard Beach - but I will be having the garage sale in Merrick. My Mom really wants me to clean all my stuff out of her garage!

A few other questions - do you put prices on all the merchandise? How do you display the items?

Thanks!

I plan on having one for the first time too (Ive postponed it a zillion times )

Some tips Ive heard about.

*If youre selling anything BIG (like a table or TV) and dont want to take it in and out, post a picture of it, or a sign. or make a big poster with pics of everything that can be picked up, or looked at, at a later time (or even run in and show them if someone else is working with you).

*Make sure to have change first thing in the morning, when you start (and a little 'bank' pot) Have singles and change so youre not running around when your first customer comes.

*If you have kids, have them sell lemonade, it will keep them entertained and will make the customers smile

*Be negotiable, they like flexible sellers and will buy more.

*Take down your signs when youre done.

*Ask a neighbor or 2 if they also want to have one, you might get more traffic if you advertise multi-family.

*Price everything before hand (use little white stickers/labels).

*make a $1 table or $2 table, and dont bother pricing those items. Just put one big sign for the table. same for clothes or books. ONE PRICE. (unless brand new or more valuable items.)

*Make it as organized as possible, set tables up by categories and price. try to price some items in bulk (Two for or three for $x amount).

*Be READY for EARLY BIRDS, and let them in
Ive heard that EARLY BIRDS come WAY before the garage sale is to begin (like 7am ) to check out the items and get first dibs, some people are nasty and write NO EARLY BIRDS, but hey why not ?

Thats all I can think of, I'll post more if I rmember.

Now, I hope I follow all these rules!

I also have lots of 'chachkas' that are not even worth selling, but I feel bad throwing stuff out , so I plan to make a big 'FREE with any purchase' bin, stuff like pens, keychains, stuffed animals, notepads, little flashlights, those free water jugs from the banks (brand new) etc. Things that will NOT sell, or were FREE to begin with, but someone might like for free (Especially little things that kids like and will keep them happy while mommy shops.) - I thought of this one myself

HAPPY SELLING !

we used a bunch of folding tables for stuff...also if you have clothes...try and string up a line to hang them on!! People are more apt to buy stuff that is haning and looks like it is in good shape rather than all thrown in a heap!

fold sweaters, put prices on everything, make things easy to see, put books out so the bindings are easy to read

my mom cashes in on her garage sales (she is cleaning out her house...and then they got a lot of crap from my grandfathers house)


she doesn't label things...but is very flexible with the pricing...

she always has a lot of change (she has a fanny pack for her garage sales)

my mom starts very early

she tells neighbors so that they might put things out as well

cover your flowers...my dad puts 'crates' over the flowers so that they are not trampled...

erica, how early is too early? Im a morning person, so I dont mind starting BRIGHT and EARLY but is like 7:30 too early? 8am is ok right?

anna...she probably starts setting up between 7-8...but people will come while she is setting up...

my mom also has everything ready to go in the garage on tables...so my dad just pulls everything out...


they have 40 years of stuff to get rid of...plus my grandfathers 60+ years...so they just keep what they don't sell on the tables until another garage sale...


my mom also pays very close attention to the weather report...if it doesn't look like perfect weather (not too hot or cold) she won't have it...

I would say advertise in Newsday-we have had a few garage sales and it seems the real 'garage sale hunters' come armed with Newsday and a map.

If you are not pretty flexible in price it is sometimes hard to sell stuff. On the other hand, there are people who if you tell them something is $5 will offer you 50 cents!!

Good luck-we cleaned out the house this year and made about $750-not bad for 2 days work!

WOW - thank you for all the great tips!

I will be cleaning out my stuff for the next two weeks and I hope to have the garage sale the first weekend in October - I will let you know how it goes!

Great advice so far. We're having one in 3 weeks ourselves and I now shop them for Little Tikes and other plastic toys for my son.

I've had alot of garage sales and I never price anything. Garage sale shoppers are not shy and will ask. And I usually will go lower if they ask, unless it's something of major value but then I'd probably not sell that stuff at a GS. Have some big signs at the nearest busy intersection (if allowed) to catch the passing traffic. Start out with plenty of change - usually the first person buys something for 50 cents and only has a $20 bill. LOL Dont price anything lower than 25 cents. Work in 25 cent increments only. Have plenty of bags. Before you throw anything out, try selling it at your sale, you'd be shocked what people buy. We've always had lots of success. Smile, chat people up, point out items to people and try to have fun.

Good luck

I have a friend who really cashes in big time every single garage sale- she has a great location. I think you can have great stuff but without a great location it is just hard to attract people. If you are selling a sofa and/or other furniture take a photo and post on here too. There are lots of people looking to furnish guest rooms and apartments and houses. I think the $1.00 or less table is a great idea too- just put tons of books on it and extra stuff.

I need to have one- maybe next summer. I think you can really get rid of a lot. And if not, bring it to Good Will and get a tax break.