Garage Sale for Dummies

GARAGE SALE for DUMMIES

You'll get more for the Family Jewels on eBay than at a garage sale.

It occurred to me that some folks having garage sales might not be seeing things from the potential buyers point of view. If you're thinking of having a garage sale, I hope you'll read some of the other posts. It could make you some money and I'm always thrilled to see that I've got new readers! If you are just looking for quick pointers, here you go (this might be added on to as I think of more things)...

• #1 on my list...For goodness sakes, price the stuff! An easy way is to set up tables or blankets with a huge sign that says something like "everything on blanket $1.00 or $5.00 or whatever applies to that particular group of items.
• If you must use stickers, use something that can be removed without destroying the object to which it was applied. Some people do buy these things for collections or for re-selling. If your sticker tears off a chunk of the original packaging from the mint condition Star Wars Doll package, it just seriously damaged its value. This goes for less valuable things like books and magazines too.
• If your ad says that you open at 8 a.m., don't wait until 7:55 to start setting things up.
• Please don't set out huge boxes of junk without prices and expect your customers to dig through them and ask for a price on each item.
• Directions....Put them in your ad and post a sign or two (or three) so people can find you when they are getting close. Include a zip code for people using a GPS.
• Signs are great for helping us to find you. Please take them down though when your sale is done.
• Advertise. Garage sale regulars look at local publications like the Pennysaver and online at Craigslist (free).
• Don't sell broken merchandise unless it has some value that way (like a lawnmower that could still be used for parts). Just please be sure to mention that it doesn't work and that it is being sold "as is".
• If someone asks if something electrical works and you are 90% sure that it doesn't, don't say that it worked the last time you used it. I've had this happen to me a few times only to find that the person also broke the item the last time they used it. Maybe you could have an extension cord handy to demonstrate.
• If you're selling something extra like donuts, tell the kids not to lick them or touch them more than necessary. I've got kids. I enjoy being around kids. I know they do unexpected things. Just remind them to resist the temptation.
• If you are visiting a garage sale and a little kid is selling lemonade, buy a cup.
• Don't price the items in your garage as if they were about to be shipped to a Sotheby's auction. (see previous post)
• If you are having your garage sale to clear items out, make the price right. Some people like to haggle. Many (including me) do not.
• I personally do not like finding things marked "make offer". Do the research and decide what you'll take for it. If you want to get it sold, be flexible after the first few people walk away. I once asked a woman how much she wanted for an old Mickey Mouse game with a "make offer" sign on it. She started telling me that it was very old and said something about seeing one like it on eBay. After about a minute, I politely asked her again how much she would want for it. Her sudden response was, "I'll have to think about it." With that said, she opened the front door and put it inside. WHAT??? I responded "I guess it's priceless then." I've never been back and I suppose it is back inside her closet.
• That reminds me...if you do happen to look something up on eBay and find that a similar item sold well, please don't forget to consider the condition of the item. Rusted and broken items don't sell for very much unless they came off the Titanic.
• If you want an eBay price for it. Put it on eBay. I'll be glad to help!