Fran Meininger for The Sun
Garage sale season has arrived! Many refer to this time of the year as spring and mark its arrival with bud break in the vineyards and fresh strawberries in the market, but for those of us with the resale bug, its garage sale season. And the first sight of a hand-written sign along the roadway is a reason to celebrate.
If you plan to rid yourself of unwanted clutter with a sale, here are a few tips to consider:
Get the word out. In addition to an ad in the local papers, be sure to place a free ad on Craig’s List and mention your sale on your Facebook page.
Make it big! Ask your neighbors if they’d like to make it a block sale. It will be much more fun and the mention of “multi-family” in your ad will attract more customers.
Signage. Two words: large and bold. The print has to be easily read from a distance at coasting speed. Start your signage several blocks away on a main thoroughfare. Always use directional arrows. Post additional directional signs at regular intervals to guide customers in. (And please be a good neighbor – take your signs down after the sale.)
Eye Candy. Place some good stuff curbside. Large pieces of furniture, artwork and colorful children’s items make good displays. Also, if you have the time and energy, arrange a vignette. A chair and side table with a decorative cloth and a lamp will give your sale a charming, well put-together feel.
Create a friendly atmosphere. Have plenty of help so you can chat with people when they arrive. Tell them the history of the item they are looking at. Give them a reason to want it. Have music playing in the background. If you create a pleasant atmosphere people will stay longer and ultimately find more to buy.
Make a Deal. Be sure to have a designated dealmaker who can accept reasonable offers. Give discounts on the purchase of multiple items. If you plan a two-day sale, offer a discount on items still there on day two.
Have an exit strategy. Avoid the temptation to box up unsold items and stuff them back in the garage. Plan ahead to donate them — call your favorite thrift store or nonprofit organization in advance to be sure they are open after your sale to accept your donation. Calculate the value of your items as you pack up and ask for a receipt for your income tax.
Garage sales are a lot of work, there’s no getting around it, but with some planning and organization they can be profitable. And the satisfaction of a clean garage… priceless!
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