Garage Sales 101: How to Have a Successful Garage Sale from Start to Finish

Everyone has a box of junk or several for that matter to get rid of. Why not make some money off of it? Most towns allow you to at least have one sale a year, but call your town clerk's office just to be sure.

The next and most crucial step is advertising. If your newspaper has a garage sale section and it is affordable take out an ad. Print out fliers and make signs. All you need is your basic paint program on your computer for the fliers. You could even do these by hand of course. Be sure the words "Garage Sale" or "Yard Sale" are big and clear. Your address and the date should also be very prominent. All other information can be left out. If you want to list a few items you have go ahead but keep them small and unobstructing to the location and date. I suggest only putting these on the fliers to be hung in laundromats and other locations not your street signs.

You will want to hang the signs on street corners that have stop signs and lights. All major intersections that surround your house and every turn after that. Think of your customers and direct them to your house. Use posting boards and community boards in libraries, stores and restaurants. Don't forget the schools and community centers too. Put these up a week in advance and the day of the sale put a few balloons on the ones nearest to your house.
While you are out and about see if you can get a few neighbors to have a garage sale those dates too. This will draw more people in and hopefully increase your sales.

This week you will need to get the items you will sell together. I know this is a very common tip, but it is just so effective! You need three piles, keep, sell and garbage. Go through every room in the house. If you haven't used it in years it goes, either garbage or sell!

Now wash all clothes and put on hangers or sort by size or age group. Wash all items, no dust and grime allowed, you want to sell this stuff.
You will need to get tables together. You will sell more things if they are easy to look at. So set up an old door on boxes, your picnic table or borrow one. You could even use your porch steps to get them off the ground. If you really cannot get a table then use a sheet on the ground to display your items.

As far as the layout of your garage sale put a free box near the street or entrance of the sale. Things that are really of no value or you really want to be rid of. Think like a store. You need to place like items together. All kitchen items together, clothing placed together and so on this makes it easier for customers to find what they may be looking for. Price items now as you set up. Use masking tape or price stickers found at the dollar store.
Make this day a fun day for yourself and get some lemonade, a friend to stay and lounge outside for the day. I like the visitors during the garage sale and enjoy seeing my neighbors.

When the sale is over, pack up what's left and throw it out, or better yet donate them to your Goodwill or Salvation Army. Good luck on your sale!