How to Make Money Lots of Money at Your Garage Sale
One of my best friends is moving house, and I am going to help her to organize a garage sale.She has never organized a garage sale before so she is a bit anxious, and she really needs to declutter as she is moving into an apartment.
She really needs to have a gigantic garage sale as she has so much stuff to clear, and get rid off. I don't mind helping out as we are moving to an new apartment in December, and I can also clear some of the stuff which we don't need anymore.
There are some easy to follow tips when it comes to making a lot of money at a garage sale, and here is some of my best advice.
1) Hype it up - your garage sale needs t bigger, bolder and better than anybody else so you really need to go for out. The best garage sales look like small flee markets so try to get hold of as much stuff as you can. Don't just focus on clearing at the kitchen or the spare bedroom. Go for absolutely everything, Clothes, junk, old plates, tyres and some good quality items as well. A lot of people believe that furniture do not sell at garage but this is not true. Anything and everything sells but it needs to be priced right. The keyword here is variety.
2) Price everything. People do not like asking prices so make sure everything is priced in nice big bold letters. If you have some quality items do not price them too high.
You want to try to get rid off everything. It is better to price something at $20 than $150. The idea is to sell it. I always price clothes at $3 per item because then you have the opportunity to say that any five items are $10. People like that - they are getting a bargain which the entire reason for going to the sale in the first place.
3) Promote your sale - tell everybody. Your friends, family, hang notices up everywhere. Lots of places have free boards for you to advertise on. Make some bright colorful signs and hang them up. There could also perhaps be local on line media which is happy to advertise your sale free of charge. Blog in local forums as this will also bring people in. And don't just put garage sale on your poster. Make the notice welcoming. Try this one: I am moving, and I need to clear out my house. You are all welcome to my GARAGE - YARD SALE. Bargains , bargains - prices start at $1.
4) All your adverts should contain directions on how to get to your sale. Yes, I know most people have GPS but those who don't may still want to come. A small map is always appreciated, and don't forget to leave your phone number and email on the poster.
5) Take some pics with your phone, and make up a mini sales sheet with prices of larger items, and also list names of books and author name. I did this some years back and I was hugely successful. Print some of them off and attach them to the advert. Also point out on your poster that you have an inventory available. You will be amazed how many people will contact you.
6) Put up colorful posters in your local area with your address, and directions to your house. Hang a banner made from an old sheet on the nearest main road. A can a spray pain will cost you about €5 but is worth every dime.
7) If you really want to go for it blog your event. You can put up pics and descriptions on your own blog.
8) Last year I put together a yard sale for a local charity. I asked some ladies to bake cookies, cakes and we ended up with a bake ware stall. You may not want to do that but something which was really popular was the cold drinks and cookie platters. They sold at $2.50 each, and raised in the end over $100.Try this idea at your yard/garage sale - everybody loves to eat. A burger for a buck might go down well as well - if you have a barbeque. You want to make your yard sale an event - not just a sale.
9) If you have any wanted plants you should put together a separate stall. Plants always sell well - just make sure you do not spend a fortune on pots. Use what you have.
10) There is nothing like a balloon - put up balloons to promote your event. It really draws people in, and on the day I always pin balloons to signs.
Above all - have some fun. Moving is stressful and expensive you need all the cash you can get hold off.