Organizing a garage sale can be exciting, but only if you make sufficient preparations for the sale event. Having a garage sale is a great way to get organized by downsizing and getting rid of items that you no longer need or want. A yard sale will put money in your wallet while helping you remove clutter at the same time. Before you rush to put up signs, here are some tips to help you get started.
Gathering and Labeling Items
Scour your entire home/house for items you no longer need or want. Place like items in the same box, so when you unpack the day of your yard sale you will be organized and prepared to set up.
Create Signs
The best way to get people to know about your sale is to hang up signs around your neighborhood. Make sure that your signs are large, clear and have arrows pointing toward the direction the sale. Place signs on main roads too in order to attract more customers. Include the date and address on the sign and remember to take down all the signs when the sale is over.
Place Ads
Consider placing an ad in your local newspaper and online. Some older buyers might not be as tech savvy and will search for sales listed in the paper while younger buyers are more opt to search online. Advertising is always a great way to get the word out about your sale.
To Price or Not to Price
Some people like to place price tags on items at yard sales while others do not. If you price an item too high, it might discourage someone from making a purchase. If you decide to price items, you can always tell customers that prices are negotiable in case someone wants to make an offer. If you don’t price items, you can also encourage garage sale goers to purchase a plethora of items to bundle a deal. Remember the purpose of a yard sale to get rid of items you don’t need and to make extra cash. Unless you are willing to drag all those items back into your house, be open to being flexible on price.
Have Change Ready
Make sure to have a variety of bills and coins ready to make change. Go to your bank in advance in order to be prepared, you don’t want to miss out on making a sale because you can’t give the proper change to your customer.
Keep the Money Close
Having a box to hold the money at a yard sale might seem ideal but your best bet is to keep the money by your side. You might get distracted if a customer asks you a question and walk away forgetting to keep a close eye on the money box, leaving you vulnerable to theft. I suggest wearing a fanny pack so the money is always right by your side. Did you know that fanny packs are also trending this season?
Free Box
Retail stores use coupons and free offers to attract customers to their store; you can use the same marketing strategy for your yard sale. Fill a box with items that you are willing to give away for free and place them in your driveway so cars passing by can easily see it. Someone might pull over to snag a free item and wind up buying other items that you have for sale.
Set up a good Display
Did you know that shoppers prefer items displayed at eye level? Place your items on a table, so customers don’t have to bend down to view them or walk past a potential item that they might buy. If you do decide to place items on the ground, place a blanket, sheet or tarp on the ground so items don’t get dirty or wet. This is also a great way to quickly scoop the items off the ground if it suddenly rains. Hang clothing items if possible, it is a better way to showcase them rather than having people rummage through a box of wrinkly clothes.
Getting the Permits
Did you know that some towns require you to have a permit for you yard sale? Before scheduling your sale, find out what rules and regulations are in your town. The last thing you want to happen to you is to be slapped with a fine or to be arrested for illegal trade. After organizing all your goods, contact the relevant city or county authority for a permit. All municipalities will require you to obtain a permit at a small fee. There is garage sale ordinance rule that you must follow otherwise your signs might be confiscated and you might be charged with a misdemeanor.
