Frugal Fridays: Having a successful garage sale
A few weeks back, I mentioned that we had held a garage sale on a bitterly cold day and, despite the cold, rain, and even some snow, we had made over $350. I normally wouldn't consider that to be a wildly successful sale, but considering the dirth of customers due to the unseasonably cold weather, I was happily surprised with the results. A few of you had asked for some tips on having a more successful garage sale and while I don't consider myself the Garage Sale Queen by any means, here are a few of my recommendations for holding a successful garage sale. And hey, isn't making money on your "junk" considered fitting for the theme of frugality?
1. Collect stuff. Now I know this is a no-brainer, but a successful garage sale often begins months in advance by saving stuff to sell. Before you think I'm advocating the pack-rat mentality, let me tell you what I do: I keep a box in the garage or in an out-of-the-way place to toss things into as I come across them in the months leading up to a garage sale. As one box fills, I seal it, and start another. I've been amazed at how much stuff I can collect by doing this! In addition, it gives me a set place to put said "junk" instead of having to walk by it repeatedly for months thinking "I'll sell that in our next garage sale." It also gives me an incentive to constantly be on the lookout for items which we are no longer using or loving and to free myself from this clutter.
2. Plan ahead. I know this should also be a no-brainer, but I learned the hard way with our last garage sale that you can never plan ahead too much. At the last minute, I had so many loose ends left to tie up and ended up overdoing it as a result. So, at least a few weeks before you have your sale, start pulling things out of boxes and organizing them, start pricing things, and start thinking about how you will set everything up. This is especially good to do if you are in a new location or have never done a garage sale by yourself before. A few days before the sale, make sure you have everything priced and organized in tubs and bins and boxes. The day before the sale, set up as much stuff in your garage as you can. Figure out what you will be using for signs, where you will put them, make sure you have plenty of cash on hand, and so on. The more organized you can be, the easier it will be when you actually have your sale, and it will mean that you are not scrambling around on morning of your garage sale. Plus, it will make it easier for your customers to buy things if you are organized and ready to go when you open your sale.
3. Price things to sell. When I go to a garage sale, I expect to pay garage sale prices. I always try to price things at what I feel would be a good bargain if I were buying the item at someone else's garage sale. I'd rather that someone pay me and actually buy my item, then 25 people pick up the item and put it back down because it is too expensive. Also, be sure to price everything. Not only will those coming to your sale appreciate it, it will keep things more simple for you. As an added bonus, it will increase sales because people will know how much (or little) something costs! I try to have variety in pricing with plenty of $0.25 or less items.
By the way, one of my best sellers is always my extra stockpile stuff from freebies I get at CVS, Walgreens, or other store sales. These items usually sell like hotcakes for me and I've rarely had any of it leftover in any sale I've done. I'm often asked what to price these items at. I usually do $0.75 for most things - this seems to be considered more of a bargain to most than $1 and thus, things fly off the table. More expensive things (which usually retail for $4-5), I put $1 on. Also, if you have a whole lot of something like toothpaste or another item which you bought many of in a humdinger deal, don't put it all out at once. I usually put five or less of each item out and then replenish my stock throughout the day until it is all gone. This helps keep things fresh, takes up less room, and allows me to not have to worry about people trying to buy all my 30 tubes of toothpaste for $0.25 each when I know I will sell them over the course of the day for $0.75.
4. Pick a good location. Make sure that wherever you hold your sale has a sizeable amount of traffic throughout the day. If it doesn't, consider holding your sale at a friend or relative's home. There's no point in having everything organized and lots of great stuff to sell if you don't have any traffic!
5. Pair up with a friend. This is one of the best ways to have a successful garage sale - join ranks with a friend or two! Not only will you have more stuff and more variety, but you'll also have lots of fun and fellowship in the process. Plus, you'll have more help in pulling it off.
6. Advertise well. Make sure you put up plenty of nice signs in conspicuous places which easily lead to your home. Also, consider advertising in your paper or a free local newspaper. In different areas, advertising in the paper is very helpful. Other times, it is not necessary if you have good traffic and good signage. Experiment and see what works best. Above all, have very presentable and attractive signs - a sloppily-thrown together sign is not real inviting!
7. Don't forget the cookie and lemonade stand! What better way to teach your children entreprenurial skills and let them earn a little money in the process than to have them set up their own little cookie and lemonade stands at the sale? And you don't just have to stop at cookies and lemonade. Get creative! When we were little, we sold all kinds of different food items and also other homemade items like bookmarks and cards. Sometimes, we'd have two or three different stands between us children with various items at each stand. Who can't resist a little child eagerly selling their wares?
There's more I could say, but I'm off for a family night. Feel free to add your own tips and thoughts!
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To join in Frugal Friday, just post a frugal tip or post on any subject of frugality on your blog, link to this post in your post, and then post the direct link to your Frugal Friday post below. Any link or post which does not adhere to these rules will be deleted at my discretion. If you do not have a blog, but have a tip to share, please post your tip in the comments section. And, remember the rules: Must be family-friendly. Thanks! I can't wait to read your tips!
posted by Crystal Paine at 7:59 AM
8 Comments:
I have a post about garage sale set up here: http://the-desire-of-my-heart.blogspot.com/2007/03/garage-sale-rules.html
can't wait for the garage sale tips!
peace of Christ to you,
Jessica
Thank you, Crystal.
This is my first time to participate in the Frugal Friday meme. I wrote about some uses of hydrogen peroxide around the house. I hope I haven't repeated anyone!
Sherry
I really enjoy your blog. You do a great job.
Oh my, I almost forgot to post this week! Better late than never. Good tips for garage sales!
Congratulations on your Homeschool Bloggers win!
I just started a virtual yard sale, mostly nice ladies and kids clothes. check it out.. www.frommyarmstoyours.blogspot.com
blessing!
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