- Check the city ordinance regarding garage sales. Some cities require
a permit and a small fee.
- At least two weeks prior to your sale, advertise around your neighborhood
or in a local newspaper. Make fliers to post around your neishborhood
to get the word to potential local shoppers. You may want to spend a
little extra money and advertise in yout local newspaper. Try eye-catching
bold print and maybe a larger ad which will attract more shoppers. List
valuable or rare items in your ad. Keep it simple but interesting and
do not forget to set your start time in print.
- Make an inventory of what you might want to sell. It may be hard
to let go of certain items, but consider how often you really use them.
After sizing up your sale items, mark each one with a price and be prepared
to haggle each and every asking price. Wheel and deal and have some
fun. Get the whole family in on your garage sale and make it a group
effort.
- Be prepared for early bird shoppers. Although you clearly stated your
start time in your ads, some shoppers like to preview the merchandise
while you are setting up for the sale.
- Have plenty of change available. To keep organized, have a central
cash box with one cashier who is making change and collecting money
from your sales team.
- Unless you know the buyer, do not accept any personal checks. Try
not to hold merchandise for customers as it may keep you from selling
to a customer who is ready to buy the merchandise right on the spot.
If you must hold an item, put a time limit on the hold period.
- Prior to the sale, make arrangements to donate the leftover merchandise
that did not sell. Many local charities will pickup you items, and be
sure to get a receipt for your contribution since it may be tax deductible.
- On the day of the sale, keep your car parked down the street, or in
your garage, in order to avoid any damages that may occur due to excessive
traffic or inattentive shoppers. As a courtesy to your neighbors, you
should also inform them of any potential traffic and crowds on the day
of the sale. This also poses as the perfect opportunity to invite your
neighbors to participate in the event nd turn your garge sale into a
block sale.
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