As Good As SOLD

The Garage Sale - how to hold one

December 30th, 2006

by Lloyd Barnes

Lloyd Barnes and his wife Kathleen operate Penny-Farthing Antiques and Collectibles in Victoria, BC. Telephone: 250-658-4746

You have finished your spring cleaning and have found that you have a collection of unwanted articles. A good way to dispose of these items and also to earn a little money is to hold a garage sale. Here are a few tips which may help to make your sale a success.

Planning is important - answer the questions “When”, “What” and “How.”

WHEN
Chose a day convenient to most customers. Weekdays are obviously out as most people are at work. Sunday is Flea Market day, and many of your prospective customers will be at these markets. This leaves Saturday which, as it happens, is the most popular day. Start your sale at 8 or 9 AM and stay open until about 2 PM.

WHAT
The adage “What is one person’s junk is another person’s treasure” certainly applies to garage sales. You can sell just about anything - furniture, pictures, tools, glassware, china, silverware, linen, clothing, appliances, toys, books, magazines and even old paint. A word of caution - beware of selling potentially valuable items at bargain prices. If you have any doubt about the value of an object, don’t sell it at your garage sale. Take it to an auctioneer or antique dealer for appraisal and advice on the best way to dispose of it.

HOW
Advertise your event giving the time and place of your sale and some indication what you are selling. Place ads in local papers - some give cheap three day rates and supply “Garage Sale” kits. You can also put notices on local community bulletin boards for free.

Direction signs are very important as many customers cruise the area looking for sales. These signs should have your address and the time of your sale printed clearly in large letters. Place the signs at key intersections and along the routes leading right to your home.

Prepare your articles for sale. Clean items will sell better and will bring you more money. Price your stock fairly knowing that your customers will expect bargains and will barter. Remember, your aim is to get rid of unwanted articles and at the same time, make some money. Finally, a very important point - mark the price clearly on everything.

Ensure that you have enough tables. Card tables, TV tables, picnic/patio tables are very useful. If you need more table space, improvise using plywood sheets on boxes.

You are going to need some miscellaneous items such as change, wrapping paper and packing bags/boxes. You will require at least $30.00 in coins and low denomination bills. Newspapers will suffice as wrapping paper. Plastic bags are readily available from the recycle boxes at most supermarkets. The liquor store will give you some boxes - those with dividers are particularly useful for packing glasses.

Display your stock attractively on your tables, and put similar items together. Old sheets serve nicely as table cloths. Make sure you are ready for business by your advertised opening time.

Offer free refreshments such as coffee and, in summer, lemonade. This will get customers to stay, chat and most importantly, buy.

Some people known as “early birds” will arrive before your advertised start time, sometimes coming around the day before your sale. They could be your best customers, so if you have your stock ready, sell to them. However, if you do not want to deal with these people, stipulate “no early birds” in your newspaper ad.

You may be asked if you have anything else for sale. Beware of these queries as you could be persuaded to sell valuable items for next to nothing. In any case, for security reasons, never allow anyone to come into your home to view your possessions.

You will find that you are very busy at the start of your sale. If possible, have someone helping you at that time. Business will then drop off, and one person can usually handle the workload. When your sale is over, retrieve all of the signs which you posted.

You will undoubtedly have things left over at the end of your sale. You can still dispose of your unwanted articles in two useful ways. Either donate your goods to a local charity shop or sell them at an auction sale. Auctions of household goods are usually held weekly in most cities.

Your good planning will make your sale successful. As an added bonus, you will get to meet many of your neighbours. Have fun and enjoy spending your earnings.

Entry Filed under: Real Estate Matters, Buying a home