Usually the reason for hosting a garage sale is to get rid of unwanted items. However, many people are looking forward to the profits gained at a garage sale. They might need the money for bills, or a major repair. Perhaps, they might just wish to purchase a large ticket item they have been wanting for awhile, or they might actually decide to take a trip with the funds. If you know the proper things to do to have a successful garage sale, you should wind up with hundreds of dollars at the end.
My neighbor made over $800 last year at her garage sale, and she really didn’t have that much stuff. It helped that it was part of a multi-family sale, and we made about $400.00 before shutting down, due to rain.
Here are ten tips to ensure you get the most money at your garage sale:
1. The more clean, attractive items you have to sell, the better your sale looks to a passerby who might still be deciding if they want to stop or not.
2. Good and effective advertising can raise your profit considerably. Research places to advertise, and then be sure to do it in advance of the sale, giving the maximum amount of people the ability to see it.
3. The day of the sale, be sure to display items attractively and be sure that everything can be seen. Be friendly, helpful, but allow customers to browse on their own. Most don’t want to be bothered.
4. If you don’t take checks, be sure and have that stated somewhere clearly. Bounced checks are no fun to deal with. I had a policy for no checks, and I know I lost two sales because of it, but I’d rather deal with that, than fee’s from my bank, and having to recover the actual check. In addition, I did take a check from my good friend and neighbor, because I trusted her. She gave me the check after the sale, so nobody else saw it. If you decide to take checks, be sure and ask for a drivers license, verify that the address’ match on the check, and write down the license number. This will help should you have to collect.
5. Get as much sleep and rest as you can, prior to the sale. You want to be alert and attentive the whole time.
Keep watching the garage sale section of the frugal living blog for great tips, and techniques to make your garage sale experience, whether selling or buying, a frugal good time!
Related Articles:
Garage Sale Season Has Arrived
Garage Sales: How And Where To Find Them
Why Should I Have A Garage Sale?
Collecting Items For a Garage Sale
Organizing Items For a Garage Sale
Pricing Items At A Garage Sale
Garage Sales: Frugal Ways to Clean Up Your Stuff
What Not To Sell at a Garage Sale Part One
What Not To Sell at a Garage Sale Part Two
Garage Sales: Where To Keep The Cash
Getting Help With Your Garage Sale
Staying Safe At Your Garage Sale