Tips For a Successful Garage Sale

Organize and Clean All Items

As you're going through your house to pick out what you want to sell, take the time to clean dirty items by wiping them down with a wet cloth, especially if decor, books, and other like items should be kept together. It makes it much easier for customers to find like items they want to buy.

It's tempting to throw everything you want to sell in a messy jumble in your garage or driveway, but that doesn't make for a good experience for your shoppers. As you're going through your house to pick out what you want to sell, take the time to clean dirty items by wiping them down with a wet cloth, especially if they've been in storage.

Take time to make the items look usable, such as blowing up the tires on an old bicycle or putting a light bulb in a lamp. Put batteries in electronic items, so customers can ensure it works. Spending some time on organizing is worthwhile, too. Kids' clothes, household decor, books, and other like items should be kept together. It makes it much easier for customers to find like items they want to buy.

Consider a Multi-Family Sale

We already have this covered!

If you're Garage sales advertised as "community yard sales," "neighborhood garage sale," or "multi-family sales" tend to attract more customers, because they know the number of items will be greater and more diverse. Ask around your specific neighborhood to see if anyone wants to join forces on October 16—the more people who are involved, the more the work can be spread out and more shoppers will stop by each house.  Lots of folks love stopping by several houses on one street - it's like a garage sale mall!

Advertise Online

We have online advertising covered for the sale!

We will advertise on multiple sites as well as advertise with banners and email campaigns. You of course are welcome to advertise your specific sale as well!

Price Items Appropriately

Pricing is important at a garage sale. If you price too high, the item won't sell, but if you price too low, it may not be worth your time having a garage sale. If you're unsure about pricing, check the current value online, and then price it at approximately a quarter or a third of that price. Above all, resist the urge not to affix price stickers to items—customers won't want to ask about pricing and will instead walk away.

PRO TIP!

Price items in 25-cent increments—for example, $1.50, $2.75 or $3 even—so you only need quarters for change.  No dimes or nickels...

Create Browsing Space

A garage sale needs to have a good flow, just like retail spaces. Make sure that there are one or two clear paths for people to take and that they won't get "stuck" in any corners when other people are looking. There needs to be enough room for people to walk past each other and a way that people can look at the same items without getting in each other's way. Particularly in time of Covid, spread out on the driveway and the lawn!

Display Items on Tables

Having your items displayed on tables will greatly increase your sales. Items are easier to see, inspect, and have the price read when they're up on table level. Put your most breakables and the most expensive items up on a table, unless they are too big. If you put items on the ground, try to put them in boxes that are easy to look through or spread out on blankets to keep items clean.

Open Right on Time

There will be people ready to go to your garage sale before you even open. Often referred to as "early birds," they will be happy waiting for your official opening time but will be not so happy if you open late. These are serious shoppers who are ready to spend money on your items. Not opening on time can mean missing out on a lot of extra cash!

Be Open to Bargaining

People who garage sale love a good bargain, and they may just try to get you to budge on your prices. Be open to bargaining but have in mind a number that you'd like to stay above, especially for larger items. Don't feel pressured to accept any offer, but in certain cases, it might make the difference between selling and not selling an item.

Offer Bags and Change

Have some change available, so you can break larger bills. A good place to start is by getting five $10 bills, 10 $5 bills, 20 $1 bills, and a roll each of quarters, dimes, and nickles (just in case).

Wear a fanny pack/belly bag with the money in it.  Don't have a cash box. It's too easy for someone to pick that up and carry it away. Spend a couple of weeks before your garage sale saving plastic grocery store bags. Your shoppers will appreciate having one, and they may even buy more items since they have an easy way to carry them back to the car.

Safety & Security

Have another person (or two) help you!  Having a helper or two makes the sale safer and smoother. They can help carry items to cars or help find specific items and move items around on the tables

Cover items not for sale in the garage with a blanket or display everything outside and close your garage door. Don't let people use your bathroom or go inside to try things on unless you know them personally. Wear a fanny pack/belly bag with the money in it.  Don't have a cash box. It's too easy for someone to pick that up and carry it away.