Garage Sale Do's and Dont's anyone?

[janwaree]

We are planning on having our first ever garage sale.. But i need your help.. any tips? What should we do or not do?

Thanks!

[suziecharlie]

DO: Put up lots of easily readable signs with arrows.

DO: make sure you have lots of change

DON'T: leave your cash box (or any money) laying around.

[Mrsb07]

Keep an eye on your cash box! I use a fanny pack so it's never away from me. Have a helper, at least 1 more person. Most shoppers prefer that items are priced, many don't like to have to keep asking "How much for this?". Advertise on Kijiji. At least locally, there are now more yard sale ads on Kijiji then in the newspaper. And it's free! Have bags and/or boxes for people to put their purchases in. I sell pop and bottled water at my sales and always sell a lot, especially if it's a hot day. If you don't have enough tables to use, put a tarp on the ground to put more things on. Tables are better though. People won't care what you paid new for something, they want yard sale prices. Items you want a good buck for might do better on Kijiji. But you can always try at the yard sale first then put them on Kijiji after if they don't sell for what you want. Put up lots of signs if your city allows it and make sure they're big and bright so they can be read by a passing car. Be prepared for early birds. It doesn't matter if you state no early birds in your ad, they will come early. Have fun but keep an eye on things, people do steal from yard sales. Good luck and sell lots!

[Natalka]

Make sure everything is marked. Decide if you are going to negotiate prices or not...
Be realistic with your prices; if you have 'good stuff' you might want to sell it elsewhere..

I dug up this thread from last year, because it was quite comprehensive

http://forum.smartcanucks.ca/148641-...stions-canada/

[matty's mom]

I am with Mrsb07. Price everything. Things with a price are less likely to be "battered" so hard and you are more likely to be respected.

[janwaree]

Make sure everything is marked. Decide if you are going to negotiate prices or not...
Be realistic with your prices; if you have 'good stuff' you might want to sell it elsewhere..

I dug up this thread from last year, because it was quite comprehensive

http://forum.smartcanucks.ca/148641-...stions-canada/

wow! thank you for posting this link! thank you soo much!

[janwaree]

DO: Put up lots of easily readable signs with arrows.

DO: make sure you have lots of change

DON'T: leave your cash box (or any money) laying around.

this is great! thank you so much for the tips!

[janwaree]

I am with Mrsb07. Price everything. Things with a price are less likely to be "battered" so hard and you are more likely to be respected.

Wow.. i sure will keep that in mind.

[janwaree]

Keep an eye on your cash box! I use a fanny pack so it's never away from me. Have a helper, at least 1 more person. Most shoppers prefer that items are priced, many don't like to have to keep asking "How much for this?". Advertise on Kijiji. At least locally, there are now more yard sale ads on Kijiji then in the newspaper. And it's free! Have bags and/or boxes for people to put their purchases in. I sell pop and bottled water at my sales and always sell a lot, especially if it's a hot day. If you don't have enough tables to use, put a tarp on the ground to put more things on. Tables are better though. People won't care what you paid new for something, they want yard sale prices. Items you want a good buck for might do better on Kijiji. But you can always try at the yard sale first then put them on Kijiji after if they don't sell for what you want. Put up lots of signs if your city allows it and make sure they're big and bright so they can be read by a passing car. Be prepared for early birds. It doesn't matter if you state no early birds in your ad, they will come early. Have fun but keep an eye on things, people do steal from yard sales. Good luck and sell lots!

Will definitely post on Kajiji!

[MrsSunshine]

thought i'd add a few more tips..
don't hover over ppl.. i HATE that.. went to a sale today. picked up a couple pieces of jewellery.. the lady would not leave my side.. like holy crap. back off.. i ended up leaving it..
make sure if you have 'delicate' items. have some newspaper to wrap them.. nothing worse then buying 'the' perfect item. to find it smashed by the time i get home cuz the person threw it in the bag... might only be worth a $.25 to you. to me it might be priceless
when having someone purchase items.. don't be afraid to 'work a deal'. you buy 3 items.. you get one free.. ykwim..
please.. if you can clean things up even a little.
have an electric cord nearby or an outlet to try appliances etc. out. the deal is only great if it works..

[janwaree]

thought i'd add a few more tips..
don't hover over ppl.. i HATE that.. went to a sale today. picked up a couple pieces of jewellery.. the lady would not leave my side.. like holy crap. back off.. i ended up leaving it..
make sure if you have 'delicate' items. have some newspaper to wrap them.. nothing worse then buying 'the' perfect item. to find it smashed by the time i get home cuz the person threw it in the bag... might only be worth a $.25 to you. to me it might be priceless
when having someone purchase items.. don't be afraid to 'work a deal'. you buy 3 items.. you get one free.. ykwim..
please.. if you can clean things up even a little.
have an electric cord nearby or an outlet to try appliances etc. out. the deal is only great if it works..

Lol, i promise i wont do that.. i will tell my mom too! (she has a tendency to do that!)

Wow! these tips are REALLY REALLY helpful! i am soo happy i posted on this thread!!!

[pac182]

When you put up your sign make sure you actually write the date on it and on something that is strong. I hate when people put up signs without dates since most never take the sign down and it's there forever and when it's just on paper and the wind is blowing it around or rips it and you can't read it. Have balloons or something at the end of your driveway that lets people see from far away where your house is. Have everything priced and decided where you want to put it the night before to make set up quick and easy. Some people do a free box for stuff that they don't think will sell but want to get rid of. I've seen some places that had their kids have a little drink/bake sale so they can be involved in the sale

[janwaree]

When you put up your sign make sure you actually write the date on it and on something that is strong. I hate when people put up signs without dates since most never take the sign down and it's there forever and when it's just on paper and the wind is blowing it around or rips it and you can't read it. Have balloons or something at the end of your driveway that lets people see from far away where your house is. Have everything priced and decided where you want to put it the night before to make set up quick and easy. Some people do a free box for stuff that they don't think will sell but want to get rid of. I've seen some places that had their kids have a little drink/bake sale so they can be involved in the sale

Date on sign - check!
Balloons - check!
Free Box - noted..
Prices - check!

Wow! Reading all your post is better than researching google for tips!!

[Miss_April]

Everytime your stash of items get's smaller and smaller move everything closer and closer together!

Honestly I am able to shift everything when I do that, I have no clue why.

[janwaree]

Everytime your stash of items get's smaller and smaller move everything closer and closer together!

Honestly I am able to shift everything when I do that, I have no clue why.

Lol, will do that.. so that my front yard wont look like a relocation center by the time i end my garage sale..