Home => Frugal Living => Shopping and Yard Sales => Great Garage Sales
Related Articles: 10 Garage Sale Shortcuts | Garage Sale Checklist

Great Garage Sales - 10 Tips for Having One
by Gina Goldenberg

Description: Tips for organizing a successful garage sale.

Sponsored links:

1. KEEP SUPPLIES HANDY.

Keep stickers and a marker handy to you can label the prices of items.

2. USE A FLOAT.

Get change, nickels, dimes, quarters, and small bills ready so you can make change for people buying your stuff.

3. BE FLEXIBLE.

Remember that the stuff you are selling off is stuff you don't need or want anyways. Be willing to wheel and deal with paying customers. The goal is to get rid of your clutter...then make a few bucks.

4. KEEP EMOTION OUT OF IT.

Selling things that have sentimental value or memories attached to them is tough. Remember that you need to get rid of the past to make room for the present and future. Be ready and willing to let things go.

5. MAKE SIGNS VISIBLE.

The night before your garage sale hang signs where many people can easily see them. Don't post them behind a lamppost or wrapped around a pole. Use cardboard so that your sign is sturdy. Print clearly in black marker and keep to the point. Don't add any details to your signs, as this will make them more difficult to read, and add arrows to guide people in the right direction.

6. ADVERTISE IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS.

Hang your garage sale signs on busy corners. There is no point hanging them solely on quiet residential streets.

7. STAY CLOSE TO HOME.

Hang your signs within a few blocks of your house. People won't want to drive across town solely for your garage sale.

8. PREPARE THE NIGHT BEFORE.

Try to price and arrange most of your stuff the night before your garage sale. This way you will be organized and won't waste time the day of.

9. REMEMBER THE "EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM."

Some of the more serious bargain hunters come out first thing in the morning. Get a good night's sleep and be ready to go at the crack of dawn.

10. SEPARATE KEEPING FROM SELLING.

If you are not selling certain things make sure that they are clearly separated from the items you are selling.

Reprinted with permission.