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Let’s make room in your life…along with some money and fun too!
1. Date and Time – choose ones that don’t conflict with holidays or any other major events in your area. Piggy back on church sales, bazaars, street sales.
2. What to Sell – Make sure to all clean the items. If it’s broken or unusable, toss it. You can sell anything from clothes and toys to cars and boats. Provided they are in good working condition. I sold my husband’s boat and wasn’t even trying.
3. Set Up – place larger items near the end of the driveway or on the lawn, to attract buyers as they drive by. Line all other items along your driveway. Have lots of newsprint and shopping bags for packing.
Let’s make room in your life…along with some money and fun too!
1. Date and Time – choose ones that don’t conflict with holidays or any other major events in your area. Piggy back on church sales, bazaars, street sales.
2. What to Sell – Make sure to all clean the items. If it’s broken or unusable, toss it. You can sell anything from clothes and toys to cars and boats. Provided they are in good working condition. I sold my husband’s boat and wasn’t even trying.
3. Set Up – place larger items near the end of the driveway or on the lawn, to attract buyers as they drive by. Line all other items along your driveway. Have lots of newsprint and shopping bags for packing.
4. Everything must be priced - Use old labels, masking tape, sheets of paper. Price items based on what they are worth as second-hand items. If your items are collectibles seek out experts who can sell them on your behalf.
Garage sale shoppers EXPECT cheap prices on useful products.
One-third to one-half of the retail price is a good place to start on reasonably new items (2-5 years). Most items are priced under $5.00. If you are really stuck on setting prices, check out other sales or ask a few friends who are not attached to your stuff.
5. Advertise to attract lots of potential buyers. Post flyers the day/night before on community bulletin boards in supermarkets, libraries, community centers.
Make sure they stand out from the others.
Bright coloured paper.
Big Bold lettering.
Use A Headline That Makes People Stop And Read Your Ad
Let the rest of your flyer give the details of your sale.
And we’re almost ready for the big event. Just 4 more easy steps…
Follow These Last 4 Steps
The Worst Is Almost Over.
And Yes, I Do Understand…
When we merged 2 households almost 11 years ago, like most I packed everything into the moving truck and away we went. It was May long weekend. The weather was gorgeous. My husband convinced me that I should forget the stuff; it would be there later. And it was - a year later. I suffered that year and then helped to organize a neighbourhood sale and made a lot of money. I dragged out my stuff again on the Sunday and spent a few more hours getting rid of the rest. I said to potential buyers, “make me an offer it’s not coming back into my house.” The last few items were donated to charity.
So, Go Make Some Money and Have Fun!
6. Signs – at all major intersections and at both ends of your street. Include arrows, address, time, and date. They need to be large and bold for drivers to read as they drive along.
7. Smile - Greet your customers with a smile. Especially those who show up during set up and before you are open. Work your sale. I always say, “If you like something you see make me an offer.” I’m brief and then I back off to let them browse. If you want goods to move fast, price them cheaply, and be prepared to negotiate.
8. Float - have a huge float of small coins. People tend to hit the bank machine and need change for 20’s. Go to the bank the day before, raid the piggy bank; your husband’s pockets (have fun).
9. End of the Day - If it’s not sold, it goes to charity. Generally, the charities are still open when you are done at 2/3 in the afternoon. Load up your vehicle or trailer and head over.
Be sure to pick up your signs at the end of the sale.Your neighbours will appreciate this.
Margaret Harlos, Professional Organizer
©Copyright 2009 Living Organized
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