Garage Sale Central

Garage Sale Checklist 

• Collect all items in your home that you would like to sell at your garage sale. Be sure to go through all closets, storage areas, dressers, the garage, basement, kitchen draws, etc. You never know where a garage sale goodie will be hiding!

• Prepare your items for sale. Clean all items so they are in good selling condition. People will more likely purchase an item that is not covered in dust or dirt. Also, be sure that all appliances and electronics are in working order.

• Check with neighbors, family and friends and see if they are interested in having a sale along with you. Multi-family sales, neighborhood sales and block sales tend to attract a lot more buyers.

• Place an ad in your local newspaper. Be sure to check the weather forecast BEFORE you plan your sale date. You certainly don't want to hold a sale in the rain if you can avoid it! Be sure to include any special items you are selling to peek interest. For instance, if you have a lot of baby items, include that in your ad.

• Post flyers on free bulletin boards i.e. grocery stores, the deli, your Church, and anywhere else it is allowed. Make the flyer bright and eye-catching!

• Create lots of signs on bright poster board, neon colors work great. Place these signs on all major roads and then be sure that you continue placing signs that will get the traffic to your house. I can't tell you how many times I have tried to follow a garage sale sign only to find that the signs suddenly stop and I can't find the sale. Also, be sure to take down all signs once your sale is over.

• Price Your Items. Purchase colorful sticker to use for pricing. Make sure you price everthing! This is very important. Many people will not ask if the price is not on the item. Price your items slightly higher than you hope to get since people love to haggle. It makes them feel they got a bargain! However, you must be realistic in your prices or you may turn some buyers off. If you have a high ticket item and you receive an offer early in the day for an amount lower than your asking price, take down the person's name/number and tell them you may call them after the sale is over if you don't receive any other offers.

• Setting up your sale. Gather as many tables as you can find. If you can, you may want to borrow a few extra tables from friends or neighbors. Having items at eye level will increase the chance of making the sale. Check out this link for tons more displaying ideas! You may also want to consider having easy-listening music playing in the background to create a nice atmosphere for your shoppers. They may even stay longer.

• The following items should be on hand the day of your sale:
  1. Lots of small bills and coins to make change.
  2. Newspapers, bags, small boxes, etc. to package items.
  3. Have an extension cord available to test appliances/electronics.
  4. Tape measure in case someone requires measurements.
  5. Pen, pad, calculator and cash box.
  6. Placing balloons on your mailbox is a nice added touch.

• Permit: Check with your town to see if they require a Permit to hold a garage sale. If they do, be sure to have one on hand on the day of your sale.

• Most of all, Have Fun!