How To Have A Successful Garage Sale

Have a successful garage sale and make some money off the stuff you no longer want or need. Garage sales takes more than a cardboard sign and a few tables filled with your junk. Maximize your profits and clear out your closets by following some guidelines.

1. Get ready. Garage sales take time to prepare. Having a designated spot to throw garage sale items throughout the year. It is safe to say if you didn't have to go back and retrieve it, it is okay to sell. Doing this also allows you to find all the owner's manuals and other parts of things before selling. This can make getting a sale much easier. 
2. Check with your city if garage sales are allowed. Some require permits and have particular restrictions. Knowing the law before you drag it all on your front lawn is just a good idea.
3. Decide if your house can safely handle more than 3 or 4 parked cars at a time. If not, ask a friend or relative if they would like to host a garage sale at their home. If this is not an option or you are all in the same boat, then consider renting table space at a local school, church or community yard sale.
4. Invite neighbors or friends to join in. This is can give you an extra kick in the pants to get your stuff organized by the set date and time. It will also help with the actual running of the garage sale. There is always something to be done--straightening up, adding up sales, drinking coffee and running to the rest room.
5. Advertise. Post ads online and in the paper. Hang fliers on bulletin boards at the grocery store. The more advertisement the better. Tell everyone you know and be clear on where the sale is. Legible sturdy signs located at strategic places that point the way to your home will guarantee more traffic than if you simply hang a construction paper note on your mailbox.
6. Put price tags on everything if possible. If that is too overwhelming, then group things together and post large signs with the price.  Post these at the check out area and on all sides of the table. Putting a price tag right in the midst of the items is also saves you from answering the question "how much?" anymore than you have to. 
7. Put tools, lawn equipment or any large impressive item toward the front. This entices men that may not otherwise stop at garage sales to give it a shot. Designating one table just for tools and gadgets is also a handy tip. This keeps the men that are dragged to a garage sale by their significant other busy.
8. Gather more bags and newspaper than you think you will need. The same goes for change. Be sure to have plenty of change available throughout the sale. But always keep an eye on your money. Wear a fanny pack or carpenter's apron and take your time when making change. Remember to leave the large bill that they gave you out of the mix until after you have gathered their change. This avoids any he said, she said arguments.
9. Post a sign that says "All Sales Final."  Let your garage sale customers know that they will not be able to return items, period. Avoid some of the guess work and have an extension cord and power source available for people who want to try appliances out before purchasing.
10. Look through all your items before selling. This will most likely be done when you set them aside or when they make it to the sale table, but double-checking pockets and purses for money, even books for random, potentially important, papers will keep you safe. Receipts, letters, even library cards can cause you trouble if they fall into the wrong hands.
11. After your successful garage sale, box up all the leftovers and take them directly to the thrift shop or dump. You could also give items away, or if you must store them for another sale. Know that clearing your life of excess and having more room to move about your home will just feel better.