The Urge to Purge
The Art of a Successful Garage Sale
By Pam Molnar
W
hat is it about warm weather that inspires us to clean out the clutter in our closets and basements? Whatever the reason, you may find your garage piling up with objects you no longer desire. What to do with all this accumulated “junk”? Turn trash into treasure and hold a garage sale. These tips will help make sure it’s worth your while. Sell what people want to buy. Clothes, especially children’s clothes, in good condition are always in demand. Used furniture, sporting goods, bicycles, and small household items usually find new homes quickly as do tools, books, and kitchenware. Sadly, knickknacks, out-of-date media, and men’s clothing are often left untouched. Collectibles, such as Precious Moments figurines, might sell better on eBay, which has a bigger audience of buyers.
idea of how much you can expect to get for common items. (Note: Do not expect to get what an item retails for, even if it is brand new and still has price tags on it.) To determine if these prices will work in your area, check out other local garage sales a few weeks before your sale and see how they compare. Make sure your prices are high enough to allow for some negotiation. You will sell more items if your customers think they are getting good deals.
Price what the market will bear. Garagesaleacademy.com has a great price list that will give you an
Be a savvy merchandiser. Set up your sale area with plenty of tables and places to hang
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things—two ladders and a broom handle make a charming makeshift clothing rack. Place similar items together, and be sure to take everything out of its packaging so potential buyers can see what you are offering. Move larger items outside of the garage to both increase their visibility and give customers more room to browse. Provide shoppers with wall outlets or an electrical strip so that they can plug in electronic devices and make sure they work. Attract buyers. The most successful garage sales are multifamily endeavors. Draw in more buyers by asking your neighbors or encouraging your subdivision to have sales on the same day. Place ads in local papers and on Craigslist, and hang flyers on bulletin boards in day care centers, stores, and apartment buildings. On the day of the event, lead customers to your door with signs and balloons.
June 2015 www.sonomafamilylife.com