I happen to be a garage sale fanatic. I love the thrill of finding something needed and unusual (or usual) for a bargain, and the chase is on. Yesterday we tackled my favorite sale of the year, and came home with many treasures (in this house that's cheap kids clothes), money left in our pockets and tired kids and parents. But, since we only do that big sale once a year, I figure we can handle it. Thinking about things today, I was trying to come up with what would make things go better. It went really well, so instead I'm just going to list what we typically do. Also, some ideas on how to make more sales if you're having your own sale. I'd also like input as to more ideas that could save us money or make more money if we have our own, so please comment! (things I've learned from helping others with theirs, as well as Better Homes & Gardens ideas in their May 2011 issue)
On going to sales with kids:
1) Obedient kids who are well rested, well fed and potty-ed. Be prepared by bringing snacks along, as well as I usually buy a cheap 'new' toy or book at one of the first sales that keeps them happy in the car during those many stops. (yesterday we had about 15-20 stops) Yesterday Greg and I both went, so we could tag team it by running through sales quicker and keeping the kids in the car most of the time. If I'm on my own, I don't leave them in there unless I can park right next to the sale where I can see them and leave the windows down. They don't like unbuckling and rebuckling any more than I do, and they like to just watch the action (unless they see some tempting toys!)
2) Small change and an empty car to load up on stuff. The other day I came home with a free upholstered rocking chair, which we fit in the back of our van. I just happened upon the sale on my way home from town, so was lucky enough that we got it in. It sucks to turn down a sale item because there isn't room and the sale is too far to go back to pick something up. (which many of the sales I go to are)
On having your own sale:
a) Take the time to clean your items. No one wants yucky stuff, no matter how great a deal. Don't try to sell stained clothes. If you want to get rid of stained stuff, offer limited amounts for free. This is especially true for baby clothes. No one is going to take the time to try to get stains out, and if they see a few stained clothes, they will assume the whole lot is probably stained.
b) Arrange like items together. Organize by room/function/clothing and label your areas.
c) Clear, concise, consistent prices. Add extra info if needed ("works", "like new", "all parts here"). If you want to move stuff, keep your prices low. If you want to take 1/2 your items back home, then price them higher. A rule of thumb is to never ask more than 10% of the original price if the item is in good condition (and never pay more than that if you're the customer, unless it's a hard to find item that you're likely not to get for a better deal) I never pay more than $1/item for clothing ever, unless it's good quality shoes or coats. Clothes are the hardest thing to sell, so price them low. If you are selling them, they are of no value to you, so don't try to recoup your 'investment'. It's better to sell quantity and make money that way! If you want to make money on your clothes, take them to a consignment shop instead.
d) Gear up. Have essentials for customers on sale day- measuring tapes, calculator, extension cord, batteries so people can check things out for themselves. Be ready to help customers keep shopping by starting a bag for them if their arms are getting full.
e) Advertise, advertise, advertise. There is nothing more irritating than losing your directions half way to the sale because signs fell down or are misleading or missing. Or the font is too small to read while driving. Or they give a street address without arrows. Or a car is parked in front of a sign and you drive past and miss it. Or the sale is so far from town and no one told you so you wonder if you'll ever get there and so you turn back. Tall fluorescent signs in bold writing are best with really big arrows pointing the way. You should be able to see and read it clearly while driving the speed limit past it. Put an ad in your local paper as well as craigslist.
f) Have enough people to help to answer questions, help customers and load cars. Have plenty of boxes and bags so people can load up. Sell drinks if it's a hot day, and snacks too, if you like.
g) Have enough change for the whole day.
h) Have Free or $0.25 bins for items you want to go fast up front. Don't put broken stuff in there unless it is still fully usable. No one wants broken toys/dishes/etc.
i) Display:
- place large eye-catching items close to the road to encourage people to stop, move more outside as you sell the items that are out there
- hang clothes and separate clearly by size (I like to write the size on the sale tag too, so then people don't have to look inside each item "ladies 12" etc. in case people don't put them back in the sections they got them from) Organize kids clothes by size & gender and put in separated bins if possible. No one is going to dig through mountains only to find nothing in their size.
- cover tables with brightly colored plastic (this is supposed to entice people to pay what you are asking for your items) Things at eye level sell faster too. Things on the ground sell last (if at all)
- display jewelry on a fabric covered cardboard
- use vertical space, it gives the eye something to see beyond the flat tables. Use books under the table cloth to help do this.)
- hide and get rid of junk. No one wants to see or buy junk, so don't try to even offer it for free. It'll bring down the value of the rest of your sale items.
- mow your lawn and have your yard looking neat. This will make people think your items are of better quality.
j) Be prepared for rain/wind. Have things tied down and tarps ready if the weather does turn bad. Don't end your sale early if you advertised it until a certain time. Slow lulls are normal, and people will get discouraged if you said you'd be there and you're not.
k) Be willing to negotiate on prices. If you want it gone, know in advance how low you'll go. Write 'o.b.o.' on the tag beforehand helps too. And be willing to take people's numbers if you'll go lower later in the day if the item doesn't sell at full price.
l) Don't try to sell Christmas items in July. You'll have trouble giving them away! (that's Greg's contribution)
m) Most of all, have fun. Have fun on your mission, and have fun meeting people and wheeling and dealing. It's so much more fun than shopping at a store, as you never know what might be around the next corner!
