Your One Best Piece of Advice for Garage Sale Success

My best advice after a couple of sales is to donate everything to Goodwill, Salvation Army or the Womens Shelter. Women's Shelter is my #1 go to for donations and they truly appreciate what you are doing. The tax benefit outweighs the hassle.

It is not worth the hassle of the people coming to case out my house, try to steal, and try to get me to change a price from 50 cents to a nickel on something that is worth a lot more than 50 cents.

Good luck to you!

Lots of ones and loose change . . . I went to the bank and got $200 in ones, and $20 in quarters.

We made $300 on stuff that I thought was junk. :/

it's not just ONE...

advertise on Craislist....take pictures of the bigger items you are trying to sell, post them there.

GREAT signage - use the KISS method - Keep It Simple Silly - it should state:

GARAGE SALE
SAT (don't give a date because you can use it again)
2905 AMY LANE

BIG BOLD LETTERS. BRIGHT SIGNS - the NEON COLORS...then use arrows along the route the same color

Balloons at the top of your street.

Price to sell. There's NOTHING wrong with haggling - however - it's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. If you have collectibles - do NOT sell them at a garage sale, sell them on ebay.

NOTHING under a quarter. Then you don't have to worry about dimes and nickles...

have change - one (1) roll of quarters, $20 in one dollar bills, $40 in five dollar bills and $30 in ten dollar bills and ONE $20. Yes, it's a lot - however - the first people to arrive typically have $20s on them.

Bags - have bags for people to fill.

If you have clothes - especially infant/toddler - have them in a basket by size...people usually can be really good about returning them to the right basket.

Electricity. If you have something that someone wants to test - like a clock, light, etc. have an electrical cord available for them to test with.

if it's going to be hot - I have an ice chest filled with ice and water bottles and sell those as well....go to costco and purchase them...

Toys and furniture...make sure they are clean - the last thing people want to do is pick up dusty stuff....if you have the little white tags that have the string at the end? put them on everything you can....that way there are less people coming up to you and saying - how much is this?

If you have a rack - hang adult clothes up on it. makes things much easier.
If you have tables - set things on tables - closer to people's eye level so they don't have to bend down...

Good luck!

I've been to many garage sales and the number one thing that drives me nuts is not having things priced! I get sick of having to ask AND I hate it when the seller will tell customers different prices for the same item! Not sure if they're doing it on purpose but these are the sales I just walk away from.

Have things organized. Especially if you're selling childrens' clothing - try and have the sizes organized. If any electrical items - label that it works and/or have a plug handy that the customer can check it out themselves.

One thing I also find helpful is to have a bunch of change on hand - I usually go to the bank and get a bunch of singles. AND by all means, never leave the cash box sitting around unguarded! Sad to say, but I had money stolen once when my Daddy was supposed to be watching the money. He felt horrible!!

Additionally, if you have any back, or side doors, keep them locked at all times. You'd be surprised how people will try and sneak in and steal stuff when you're focused on your sale.

Just some things to think about!!

Good luck!!

-Be prepared. Have all items on tables, marked w/those sticker prices.
Nobody likes to ask how much something is. That equates less sales.
-Put signs up at nearby corners of high traffic. About 4 signs minimum.
-Advertise in your local paper & Craigslist.
-Have change ready so you can "make change".
-Open early. 7am - noon or 2pm.
-Best days to have a garage sale these days are Fri & Sat. Sun not so
much.
-Have bottled water to sell for $1 during hot weather.
-Stuff on floor or in boxes don't sell as well. Nobody looks at it.
-Make sure things are clean.
-Again, get things up off the floor & onto tables for better viewing.
-Don't just put out a few things. Put out big pieces of furniture if you have
them to sell. Ppl will do a drive by if it seems you don't have much.
-Make things visible from the street even if you are having it in your garage. Let some of it spill out onto the driveway to entice ppl.
-Have A LOT to sell!!!!!
-Do not overprice. Price to sell or you won't move anything!
-Good luck!

I just had my first garage sale this past weekend and it was a HUGE success! Our family is now complete so it was time to sell all the baby stuff =( I was given a lot of the same advice as you received below! Definitely price all of your items to sell - not necessarily giving them away but definitely reasonable - I was told by numerous 'shoppers' that my prices were great and I only had two people who tried to bargain with me during the three day sale and I met them in the middle so we were both happy! I will be donating all items that didn't sell tomorrow morning but I am keeping the $800+ that my garage sale made me!

Be organized! I had everything priced and sorted by size, type of item, etc the weekend before my sale. We had moved everything out to the garage during the week so that morning we just had to set up the tables and organize! All of the kids clothing was either hanging up or folded neatly and sorted by size (made table signs so shoppers knew where to look for the size they were shopping for)!

Make sure everything is clean! All clothing was cleaned before put into storage but I made sure to clean up all toys (inside and outside) that we were selling!

I had big signs that I made using stencil letters so it was very visible! We also attached balloons to the signs =) The only advertising I did was on craigslist and I posted some pictures of the items we were selling (travel system, kiddie pool, outdoor toys, bundles of clothing, etc)

I had three helpers throughout my sale ~ while I was helping someone or answering questions I had someone else to add up the purchases, take money, help keep everything looking neat, make sure nothing was just 'walking away' and it was great to have company through the day =)

Good luck to you! I hope your garage sale is a success!

First be prepared for people to come to your home at the crack of dawn and even start to go through stuff as you are setting up. The last garage sale I had was in PA and I kept everything in the garage and set up with the door shut (at the end of each day I only had to close the door). I had people ringing my doorbell at 6 AM. I had everything clearly priced and put small items in a couple of boxes (one dollar, five dollars, etc.) that made it easier to just mark the box and not each item.

I have seen people even go onto porches and take things that weren't even for sale. I didn't have anyone trying to steal thankfully. I did donate what was left over at the end of the weekend.

If you have the time take pictures of the large items and post them on Craigslist along with your garage sale announcement and list other stuff (toys, children clothes with the sizes, etc.). You may sell those before hand and not have to drag them outside. I like to get an idea of what people are selling before I head out, if I am looking for something specific that makes it much easier.

I do Garage Sales and Estate Sales for clients.

Advertising is a must, or else all of your work is not worth your time. Newspaper, Craigslist and signs. I like to place photos of some of the nicer things on craigslist,so people realize the quality of the stuff I am selling.

I found this company here on mamapedia..
It is amazing how many people tell me the reason they came to the Sale was because of these signs. http://www.sassysigns.com I reuse them over and over.

Also remember what is your goal? To get rid of this stuff or to make a bunch of money? If it is to make a bunch of money.. this is not the way to go.. So the goal is to make a bit of money while people haul away your junk. Usually Garage sale prices are about 10% of what you paid for the item.. IF it is in perfect condition/never used.. you can do a bit more..

The more clean and organized the stuff is, the better your sales will be.

People do not like to bend over to look at stuff off of the ground, especially the older people. It just does not look important if clothing, linens and kitchen things are on a tarp on the ground. But place it on a table and have it organized and all of a sudden it looks like you took care of your things and they look important. You can use boxes lined op to make a table if you need too. Or place boards on top of boxes. I usually rent or borrow tables. Ask your church if you can borrow some tables. .

I do try to price every item. Price dots, masking tape etc.. If not then have a poster with prices..

Sure if someone buys a lot of stuff, give them a small discount. They may purchase/ be willing to take some more stuff.

Be kind, be friendly, smile and say hello to people. Remember they do not have to be there, they are doing YOU the favor.. They are your guests you invited them to come and shop.. Make it fun for all of you!

I like to make "grab bags" Ziploc bags with strange mixture of things. Like kitchen utensils, a peeler, a citrus, spoon, a bottle opener, a kitchen magnet.. all for $1.00

Junk drawer stuff, a bag with a pair of Barbie shoes, a bit of twine, 3 plain envelopes, nail clipper and a marker.. $1.00

A bunch of Happy Meal toys in a large Ziploc.. $3.00

Big Ziplocs full of those odd and ends decorated party napkins and plates.. $3.00 - $5.00

Odd and ends of Greeting cards or Christmas cards that were never used. gathered by a ribbon.. $2.00.

People are fascinated by these strange bags.

Remember to have a "FREE" box.. People love that stuff. Even bits and pieces.

Have fun! We play music, we have a beverage server with odd and end party cups so people can get a cup of cold water.

Good, clear, well-placed signage.

Make sure your signs are facing the drivers who are driving *toward* your sale, not away from it. Make the lettering simple, clear and easy to read. Balloons will help to get attention, too, but simple block letters on high-contrast background are best. And have signs on both ends of your street, pointing to your sale.

I got change in ones and quarters and wore a pair of cargo shorts with large bills in a snapped-up pocket.

Since you are doing this with friends, keep a pad and pen handy for recording any sales made when either one of you aren't present. I usually just stick the price tag right on the page with my girlfriend's initial, so I know that while I took the money for several items, at the end of the day, I'll square up with her. She does the same for me.

Have lots of snack, some sort of shade... we like to sit and have a few beers, hang out. Sales can have busier and slower times, so having a friend keeps things fun. We also have built-in coverage for bathroom visits.

I agree with locking up the house. Also know where your nearest public restrooms are, so you can direct people who might ask. I never allow someone in the house, even to try something on. It's a buck or two, right?

If you are using part of your garage and have some items that are not for sale, hang sheets over the area (like a makeshift wall) so folks won't bother them. It's not a guarantee someone won't be curious but most will know what's behind the sheet is not for sale.

In my experience, clothes that are hanging up sell better than those sitting on a table. We had a long pipe (left over from a fencing project) that we put between two ladders and used for a clothes rack which worked well.

If you are selling appliances, have an extension cord available.

It's summer, have bottled water iced down for sale because people will be hot and thirsty. We sold ours for a buck.

And, have a plan in case it rains. I've had sales where people still showed up and since we were able to get most items under a roof or tree we were able to stay open.

Good luck!

Personally, when I am shopping at garage sales, I like to see things neatly laid out. I don't like to rummage through the boxes, especially if I am looking for children's clothes.

Also, I like to see prices clearly marked... I don't like to have to ask what the price is.

As someone who goes to garage sales, things organized and priced to sell is much more appealing. However, you need to be willing to negotiate on prices, too-don't price it as if it's new even if it has the tags on it; OR if someone wants to buy more than one thing, do a bundle sale and take less if they take more. You will get rid of more and have Happy customers. Don't be in it for "the money"...be in it for getting rid of your stuff and giving it a new home. People come to garage sales to buy stuff at lower prices. Having some ice cold drinks in a cooler is a good thing for your customers too. Be friendly, approachable and negotiable w/everyone. At the end, haul it off to a local charity...unless you want to have another Garage Sale but I personally wouldn't do more than 2 to 3 per summer. Also, it's a good idea to have it more than one day during the wknd. so a Fri, Sat or Sat, Sun or all three days depending on the area you live in.

Have some coffee, cold drinks (canned sodas and bottled water are on sale in most stores right now) and cookies to sell at a nominal price. The most successful sale we ever had we had coffee and homemade chocolate chip cookies, people lingered and looked longer, and consequently bought more. There was a construction project going on across the street, and the workers came over, too :)

We've thrown a few in the last five years. My advice....beware of "just looking". Many people will come by early, look at everything and find out how much you want, and come back at the end of the sale and seriously low-ball you for whatever is left because they know you don't want to haul it back inside. Also, beware of groups of women that come together with small kids in strollers. I can't tell you how many times we busted women trying to steal by using the kids as a distraction and putting stuff in the strollers. It's pathetic that some people resort to stealing when stuff is already dirt cheap. And what pisses me off is when these same people do buy something, they're pulling out $100 bills.

Just walked out of a garage sale and said to my husband I will never go to a garage sale where there are no stickers or prices or anything. I do not need my blood pressure going up haggling over something. I leave that to people who like to do that. Stickers are great!

I second everything Mickey said. Price everything and do not just dump clothes on the ground. Be organized. You will sell more if people don't have to route thru your stuff.

I post in Penny Saver AND Craigslist. I post to Craigslist w/ our address the night before, no earlier, or you'll have people showing up at your doorstep prior to the sale. I also include pics of the large items (furniture, lawnmower, etc.) on the Craigslist ad.

I don't put prices on anything, although I used to. Too time-consuming and I like to wheel and deal, anyway.

My goal is to get rid of the stuff. So I will let something go for $1 even though I wanted more for it. Because otherwise, I pack it back in to my garage or donate it to Goodwill. I'd rather have the cash!

Plan on being ready for the sale 1/2 hour to an hour before you listed that it will start. People *will* show up earlier than your stated time. Be ready for them.

I put like items together: kitchen stuff, sports stuff, clothing, etc. and I use tables to get things off the ground.

Around here, we wind things down around noon. Very rarely do you have people coming after noon. So we'll do 6 - noon and then be done with it. Good luck!

Keep in mind that ultimately I want it gone. It is something that is no longer needed therefore clutter in the making. It's either going to a potential buyer or going to Goodwill. So if someone offers me a few cents less, so be it as long as it isn't going back in the front door and I don't have to haul it away to a donation site.

Invite other neighbors to sell that same day. I LOVE it when I stop on a street and can hit 3 sales at once.

Good signage with directional arrows.