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8 Steps to a Successful Garage Sale
  by Barbara Myers

Preparation is key to a successful garage sale.  Start four to six weeks before your planned sale and follow these tips:

1.  Coordinate a sale with friends or neighbors.  You'll draw more traffic.  Choose date and times.

2.  Do your research.  Does your community require a permit and are there sign regulations?  Does your homeowners insurance cover injuries on your property?  Check out local sales for presentation ideas and pricing tips.

3.  Gather supplies.  You'll need:
▲ Newspapers for wrapping items
▲ Plastic grocery bags for customers' purchases
▲ Price labels (available at many dollar stores)
▲ Masking tape, tags and markers for additional pricing options
▲ 3x5 cards for items that need more information such as linens
▲ Hangers and clothes rack(s)
▲ Poster board, stencils and paint for signs
▲ Boxes for sorting before the sale and for customers during the sale
▲ Tables to display merchandise
▲ Calculator, pens, tape measure and extension cord for day of sale
▲ Minimum $ 50 worth of change
▲ Fanny pack or money apron (instead of a cash box for safety purposes)

4.  Prepare your advertising strategy.  The more people you bring in the more money you'll make.  Remember to advertise your sale for one hour later than you plan to open so you'll be ready for early-birds.  Try these suggestions:
▲ Buy a newspaper ad.  It's your most important tool.  A larger ad will attract more people.  Include large items, items you have in large quantities and any name brand items.  Include directions in the ad.
▲ Make a minimum of ten identical signs to post.  Use neon poster board with stencils and black paint for the most impact.  Wrap in plastic if rain is a possibility.  Add balloons and streamers as attention-grabbers.
▲ Post small signs on local grocery store bulletin boards.
▲ Place signs on local daycare bulletin boards if you have lots of children's items.

5.  Choose your charity.  Place nothing back in your home after the sale is over.  Either pack it up in your car and deliver it to a local charity or arrange for it to be picked up immediately after the sale on the sale day.

6.  Find helpers.  You'll need someone to help make change when you're busy, serve you snacks and drinks, and keep an eye out for dishonest customers.  You'll also need a sitter for younger kids.  Keep older kids busy and let them participate by setting up a lemonade stand and by selling cookies and snacks.

7.  Declutter.  Go through every room, cabinet, drawer and closet in your home.  Fill boxes with anything you haven't used in the past year (exceptions: gear for the camping trip you missed last summer, larger sized clothing for younger brother, etc.) and any decorative items you no longer love.  It's okay to include broken items as long as you label them as such.  Make sure items are clean.  Sort them into categories in the boxes.  Keep like items together.

8.  Make last minute preparations:
▲ Price items in multiples of $ .25 for easier change-making.  Leave room to negotiate prices.
▲ Bundle not-so-great items and sell them as a lot.
▲ Place drapes or tarps over items in your garage that are not for sale.
▲ Put big items out front to build interest.
▲ Presentation is key!  Make your sale look appealing.
▲ Have fun!

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