Glamorous Garage Sales: 5 Tips For Hosting An Amazing Sale
Posted on: 25 August 2014
Having a garage sale is a great way to make extra money while getting rid of excess items that you don't use or need anymore. One problem that many people have with garage sales is that they put in a lot of time and energy getting the garage sale ready, and not sell nearly enough to make it worth it. If you want to have a killer garage sale, here are five tips to ensure that you get plenty of customers, and sell as much as possible.
1. Don't have a last minute sale
One mistake people make is getting overwhelmed by clutter and deciding the have a garage sale the following weekend. Although you may be anxious to get everything out of your home and have some extra dough, you a preemptive strike will leave you with no customers to sell to. You need time to get the word out so people can make plans to come and see what you have to offer.
2. Advertise... a lot!
Putting a sign on the corner of your street with an arrow pointing to your house shouldn't be the only advertising you do. Social media is turning ordinary people into successful business owners, and can also help you have a successful garage sale. Find local sale groups for your area on Facebook and advertise your garage sale. Post tweets, pin your items, and do whatever else you have to do to get the word out. Make ads on sale sites telling locals the type of items you have and when the sale is taking place.
3. Make pricing simple
Having groups of items that are all the same price makes pricing much easier. Have a clothing rack with clothing that all costs the same, have a table with knick-knacks of the same price, and so on. Just make sure you keep the items in their proper place as people browse and move things around. Put a price tag on anything that is fairly expensive. You don't want it left on a $1 table, leaving you to argue with customers.
Be flexible with pricing as well. 42% of customers expect to haggle at garage sales so stay open minded. If you plan to donate everything that doesn't sell, you may as well haggle and get what you can out of your items.
It's also important to have as much change as possible when you begin your sale. You don't want customers to leave because you can't break a $20. At least have a few ones and a handful of coins in every denomination before you begin. While some people will tell you to keep the change or grab another item to make up for it, others may not be as willing.
4. Have plastic bags available
People love going to garage sales with shopping bags. If you have a large stash from the grocery store, bring them out and offer them to customers when they buy your items. If you live in a neighborhood where a lot of people are walking to your sale, you'll sell a lot more items if carrying them home isn't a hassle for people.
5. Properly prepare your space
If there is one thing that turns people off of a garage sale it's an ugly yard. If your lawn doesn't look like it's been mowed since 1982, people will be more likely to keep on driving. Having overgrown grass and shrubs, and personal owners all over the yard that aren't for the sale give off a disheveled appearance. Park down the street before you begin your sale. Leaving as much space as possible for people to park will make them less likely to get frustrated and keep driving. Consider even getting your garage door repaired (additional reading).
These tips will turn a mediocre sale into a thriving one. Plan ahead, organize, and prepare to haggle. You'll have customers lined up down the street in no time.
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