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Tips for a Top Garage Sale
Timing is everything - Choose a non-event weekend. Steer clear of Mothers/Fathers/ St Valentine’s Day or long weekends, unless you live in an area that’s a tourist destination, in which case a holiday weekend could be your best bet.
Advertise – Place ads in local papers and on local radio stations. Check council regulations about posting up signs. Please don’t hammer signs into trees. Tie some balloons and ribbons to your letterbox or lamp post on the day. Use the internet too.
Warn the neighbours - Tell them about the sale well in advance. You want them to turn up to buy, not to complain.
Recruit help – Get the kids involved, and ask family and friends to take charge of a table, or just to be there on the day to keep an eye on everything. Prepare food and drink for them in advance to keep them fit and firing.
Spruce up – Have the sale area looking neat and clean. If your garden or garage looks like a dive, who would want to buy your stuff?
Be prepared - Have enough cash on hand to give change, and a supply of plastic bags, bubble wrap and newspaper for wrapping. Keep a tape measure handy in case someone wants to check dimensions of curtains, carpet or furniture.
Price to clear - Keep prices low, especially if you want to get rid of everything in one day. You may have one or two big-ticket items that will attract interest, but most items should be under $10. And be prepared to discount.
Tatty is unattractive - Have all sale items cleaned and in as good a state of repair as possible.
Show your wares – If they don’t see it, they won’t buy it. Set goods out on picnic, garden and trestle tables if possible. If you’re displaying items on the lawn, arrange them on top of cheap plastic table cloths or old sheets.
Display prices – Have a clear price-tag attached to each item to save time, hassles and endless inquiries.
Switch on - Be ready with an extension cord and power board to connect electrical items to demonstrate that they’re in good working order.
Special offers – Offer a Buy one get one free deal on items like books, small toys, crockery etc.
Include Collectibles – Copy Bargain Hunt. Set up one “Antiques & Collectibles” table and offer anything old, arty or quirky such as pottery, glass ware, costume jewellery, prints and paintings.
Pre-loved clothes – Hang them up. Arrange them on a rack if you can, and make sure everything is laundered. Draw attention to any special items with colourful info cards such as Designer Jacket, Never worn, Pure silk blouse.
Mix and match - Sell items in job lots. Offer a box of tools for $5 or a bag of craft supplies for $3.
Have a lucky dip – Let the kids manage it. They can make some pocket-money and it’s a good way to get rid of small, fiddly items.
Keep your home secure – You’re inviting strangers onto your property, so lock all doors and windows. Keep cash on your person. Use a money-belt or bum-bag.
Give stuff away – if some things haven’t sold by late afternoon, have a Free sign ready and pile up the giveaways beside it. You don’t want to have to move it all to your new home.
Heidi’s Best-Selling Items:
- Antiques & Collectibles
- Tools
- Garden pots
- Picture Frames
- Furniture
- Renovation items
- Records
Heidi’s Slow-to-Move List:
- Clothes
- Kid’s toys
- Junk - If it should be thrown away, throw it!
- Overpriced items - Price goods at around 30% of their original cost, except clothes. Price clothes at 5% of original cost.
- Old TV’s and computer equipment - These items date quickly. Take them to your local tip to recycle them without damaging the environment.
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