Secrets of a Profitable Garage Sale

Despite the loss of jobs in many areas and the increase of fuel prices everywhere, the numbers of people attending garage sales are up. These secondhand sales are a great way to get rid of things you don't use or need anymore and sell them to others who will appreciate them and give them new life.

Garage sales can be somewhat completive with each other. There are several things you can do in preparation of you won sale to move the items and maximize your profit.

Gather
Go through closets, drawers, boxes and other storage containers. Use this basic rule when sorting items: "if you haven't worn it, used it, played with it in the last two years - sell it." Even if you don't think an item will sell, try anyways, you might be surprised.

Clean
Make sure clothing and lines are clean and pressed. If you don't want to iron, visit your local dollar store and pick up a bottle of wrinkle spray. It works great on shirts! Put dishes and knick knacks in a rinse cycle in the dishwasher to remove dust. Sparkling glassware sells better! Dust and clean furniture. Don't feel you need to paint or repair items, just make them look good.

Organize
Separate clothing into categories: boys, girls, baby, women, men. Try to hang adult clothing on hangers. However jeans, shorts, sweatshirts and T-shirts can be neatly folded. Clothing racks are best but a pole balanced between two ladders works well, as does a rope tied between two trees. Take small paper plates, cut a slit and hole in the middle and use as size dividers. These are great for breaking up baby sizes too!

Organize the clothing into categories on tables. Make it easy for shoppers to find what they need. If a mother of boys has to sort through piles of girls clothes to find what she is looking for, she may give up the search.

I like to put a piece of fabric or a table cloth on the tables holding knick knacks and other items. Organize knick knacks and collectibles by theme - you have a better chance of selling multiples. Place kitchenware together, craft items together, and so on.

Pricing
This seems to be the part that takes the longest. Don't fall into temptation of not pricing items. Those who price their items make as much as 50% more than those who don't. However, you can have quarter tables and $1 tables; just make sure you mark them well with signs. Keep in mind everybody wants to know the starting price in preparation of negotiating a lower price. And remember some people are just to shy to ask the price.

Price items in quarter intervals - .25, .50, $1. This makes for quick and easy figuring. Visit garage sales in your area prior to your sale to observe the "going rate" of items. What sells for $1 in one area may only move with a.50 tag on it in another area.

If you don't want to be left with much stuff at the end of the sale, price items low enough to move. On the last day of the sale offer to sell things at half price. Don't forget to add that feature to your signs when you do. If you have a lot of paperback books priced at a quarter each, make an additional offer of "5 book for $1". Bag sales can be a fun way to get rid of a lot of stuff too. Whatever the shopper can fit into the bag will be purchase for a set price. "Fill a bag for $2".

Preparation
If you are using a garage or barn - clean it. That is, sweep the floor; get rid of dirt and cobwebs. Set up tables and racks so shoppers can move around easily.

Think of a creative name for the sale. Check w/ neighbors and relatives to see if any would be interested in hold a sale at the same time. Example: Carmen Park Neighborhood Sales, Catnip and Carrots Rummage Sale, Gently Used Treasure Sale, Son Just Moved Out Sale.

Advertising is the key to success. Submit an ad into the local newspaper; cost depends on the number of words used, sometimes papers run specials too. Make mini-posters to hang on public bulletin boards sometimes found at the local pharmacy, grocery store and bank. There are even websites that you can place on ad onto; these usually cost around $40. Purchase or make large brightly colored signs. Place signs at busy traffic locations and don't forget to tag the route to the sale. Arrows and balloons help.

Day of the sale
Most sales run from 9am - 5pm, but you may have people waiting in their cars at 7am! Find out the best days to have sales. In the city, it's usually Friday through Sunday. In the country, sales will start on Thursdays.

Plug in a radio. Soft music playing in the background creates a relaxing environment for shoppers... but remember to keep the volume low. Add an air freshener or candle to cover that stale garage smell.

If you have children, encourage them to have a lemonade stand to sell drinks and cookies from. You will be amazed of how successful business men and women these kids are!

Negotiating
More than 80% of serious garage sale participants will try to barter on the price. That adds to the fun of the sale. Your goal is to get the best price and get rid of stuff.

The end of the sale
Carefully fold clothing and gently pack items into boxes. Plastic bins are great if you're going to save the stuff for another sale. Boxes are good for short term storage. Make a trip to the nearest thrift store and make a donation. Don't forget to get a receipt as you can write these things off your taxes.

Now count your money and enjoy your spoils!