Garage Sale Tips

[richards6402]

I am having a garage sale this weekend. It has been about 10 years since I had one. All I can remember is how much work it was. Does anyone have any tips on garage sales? I am working slowly and steadily this week so getting everything out in the garage is going OK. It's the pricing that is a killer. Anyone have any tips on making this easier?

[rubymoon2072]

you can get the lil stickers and price everything that way or just put a sign make me an offer and price nothing. good luck.

[richards6402]

If it would be up to me I would do the "make me an offer" but I don't want to give my husband a heart attack. He is a pack rat and I'm a thrower. Already warned him not to drag anything back in the house that is in the garage. I may head to WalMart and see if they have the little tag things. Last time I tore masking tape off and stuck on things.
Thanks

[jadabug]

The last sale I had for clothing I just made one big sign and had flat prices for tops, bottoms, shoes etc..made it a lot easier getting ready. I have been to sales where they had a color dot system too. They made a sign with prices by color and just got those colored dot stickers and placed them on the sale items.

[KazzyK810]

Clearly price everything! If I go to a sale & things aren't priced, I just leave. I hate people that want you to haggle with them over prices.

[richards6402]

Originally Posted by jadabug

The last sale I had for clothing I just made one big sign and had flat prices for tops, bottoms, shoes etc..made it a lot easier getting ready. I have been to sales where they had a color dot system too. They made a sign with prices by color and just got those colored dot stickers and placed them on the sale items.

I have a big price range in my sale - from .50 up to some furniture for $25.00. I've seen the colored tags and I guess I could use something else once I went through all the colors of tags for the more expensive items.

Thanks for the tip.

[bjh]

If you have a lot of small cheap items you can just make a $1 table or put them in boxes and just write on the box $1 each or .50 cents each, etc.

If you have any more expensive small items setup them up closer to where you are sitting. Be aware that some people do go to yard sales just to steal things.

Good luck this weekend. I wish I was closer to you, I would love to go.

[DBlain]

LOL be prepared to be pissed at some point, some shoppers can be so rude about every little thing. Be ready early. Some people show up as much as an hour early and if you are setting up outside they walk around asking questions which is distracting if you are still trying to price and bring stuff out. So if you can everything set up behind a closed garage door that would be good

[richards6402]

Well I think I'm just about ready. Need to get tags today and put everything out in the garage. Going to go with $1, $2 tables and put the most expensive things close to me. Now, if I can just keep DH from dragging things back in the house. Thanks for all the tips. It's in the forecast for rain Friday so that may be my slow day.

[Connie]

The Dollar Tree has price stickers and signs! Good luck with your sale

[Lil Sis]

Originally Posted by DBlain

LOL be prepared to be pissed at some point, some shoppers can be so rude about every little thing. Be ready early. Some people show up as much as an hour early and if you are setting up outside they walk around asking questions which is distracting if you are still trying to price and bring stuff out. So if you can everything set up behind a closed garage door that would be good

sigh ... so true!!!

[OwnedByJezebel]

Have lots of change ready.

Play some music. It will make the time more pleasant for you, and the customers will also like it. They tend to stay around longer, and if they need to talk among themselves, they don't feel like they are being overheard. The longer they stay, the more likely they are to run across something they are interested in.

Have some bottled water iced down for sale. I can get a 36 pack at Kroger for about $3. You would be surprised at how much you can sell at $0.25 - $0.50 per bottle. Before long, you've paid for what you bought and the rest is free bottled water for you. You can try soft drinks, too.

[richards6402]

Originally Posted by OwnedByJezebel

Have lots of change ready.

Play some music. It will make the time more pleasant for you, and the customers will also like it. They tend to stay around longer, and if they need to talk among themselves, they don't feel like they are being overheard. The longer they stay, the more likely they are to run across something they are interested in.

Have some bottled water iced down for sale. I can get a 36 pack at Kroger for about $3. You would be surprised at how much you can sell at $0.25 - $0.50 per bottle. Before long, you've paid for what you bought and the rest is free bottled water for you. You can try soft drinks, too.

Good idea about music and water. I have a feeling by Thursday night I'll be asking myself why I am having a garage sale. I forgot how much work it is.

[TxVicki]

Originally Posted by richards6402

Good idea about music and water. I have a feeling by Thursday night I'll be asking myself why I am having a garage sale. I forgot how much work it is.

LOL I said that every time I had one, and the last time I said I meant it, and it's been 6 yrs now since I had one.

Good Luck with your Sale, I know you will do just fine.

[Lisa and Pic]

Besides everyone else's suggestions... don't let the sale drag on and on. Close it up when you have it scheduled and have something like Goodwill come and pick up what is left next week.