How to put on a good garage sale ...

It doesn’t matter if your goal is to make some quick money or just de-clutter the house; either way, the better organized you are, the more people will buy. Here are a few pointers for throwing a garage sale that draws in buyers, puts money in your change purse, and gets junk out of your house for good.

Plan ahead

Start setting items aside several weeks in advance. As you set them aside verify if they are in working condition and that they are clean. Start price tagging your items early, and keep prices reasonable. Borrow tables or trestles and plywood sheets to display your things. Tidy up the yard; it signals that you’re selling good quality stuff.

Advertise

Place an ad in the local weekly newspaper to announce the sale; specify at what time it will start and end. Advertise on community websites and newsletters. A couple of days before the sale put up photocopied posters at the end of your street, at the grocery store, and at busy intersections nearby.

Plan for weather

Check the long-range forecast. If it looks like rain, reschedule. Have plastic sheeting or old shower curtains on hand to throw over tables during rain showers.

Expect to bargain

On sale day, be polite and welcoming. Don’t push items on people, but be available to answer questions. Try to be open to bargaining—the big mistake most sellers make is to expect to recover what they originally spent on items. If your goal is to get rid of stuff, be willing to part with it for a song. Or, lower your prices in the afternoon when things slow down.

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A tidy yard and nicely displayed items will help you get better prices at your garage sale.

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