How To Have A Garage Sale

At some time in your life, you must get rid of old stuff and junk you no longer need, so it's a good idea to learn how to have a garage sale now.

To host a garage song you will need:

• Large-point felt markers in bright colors
• Fine-point felt markers
• Construction paper or poster board
• Price stickers
• Hot coffee
• Scented candles
• Pleasant but lively music
• Cash box
• Note paper and pen
• Small denominations of paper money
• Rolls of coins in all denominations

Planning and Announcing the Sale

1. Pick a date.
2. Call bulletin boards for local television access channels and local radio. Local newspapers also carry garage sales notices.
3. Make and display posters, not only at the site of the sale but at strategic locations around town. Use large-point felt markers in bright colors to attract a large customer base.
4. Buy scented candles and place them throughout the interior of the inside area of the sale site. Cinnamon or other food-based scents make people feel welcome and relaxed.
5. Play pleasant but lively music so that customers have a fun experience.
6. Provide coffee. This creates a homey atmosphere and makes customers feel appreciated.
7. Set up a cash box. This can be an old cigar box or even a coffee can.
8. Go to the bank and get at least one hundred dollars in small bills and a few rolls of coins.
9. Buy price stickers and price each item a little higher than you expect to be paid. People like to haggle, so give yourself a little wiggle room.
10. Keep a note pad and pen handy. You may want to take down the name and number of a customer that would like notified if an item hasn't sold at the end of the sale period.
11. Group like items together. All jewelry should be on one table, photo frames should be grouped together, and so on.
12. Use bright clothes or paper on table displays. This will attract customers and drive your sales at your garage sale.

Conducting the Sale

1. Be pleasant and cheerful. Joke with the customers. Be aware of local happenings so you can participate in any conversation that may come up at your garage sale.
2. Keep your eye on your customers. If they show interest in an item you have more of in another area, you can encourage them to go there.
3. Watch for theft. Always keep small items, like jewelry, near where your cash box is situated.
4. Don't be bulled into lowering your prices below your bottom line.
5. Be prepared to help. If someone is interested in a large item that will require a moving truck or van, be sure to have someone available to move the item (for a fee) to the customer's location.
6. Toward the end of the garage sale, be prepared to lower your prices significantly. You don't want to be stuck with items you no longer need or want, or worse yet need to host another garage sale.