Garage Sale Season Begins .....
3. Advertise
Try to estimate your expected profit from the sale. That will help you determine what amount is reasonable to spend on advertising. Whether you have a small budget or large – advertising is always necessary to maximize success. There are varied options from advertising on your local website, to newspaper ads, flyers in visible points throughout your community and a sign on your street corner(s) a few days before and on the day of your garage sale.
5. Have a cash box
Few people have the right change for their purchases - so ensure you have a full supply of coins and small bills. Store them in a secure location in a cash box or belt, if you have one. A cutlery tray that you can secure in a container will work as a low cost solution. Ensure that you have a total of all change enclosed prior to the sale so when you do your count at the end, you can subtract the initial float to determine the financial success of your sale.
6. Put price stickers on all items
Many people will not bother to ask for a price if you have not already stickered your items which means you are at risk of losing sales. Set prices that you think are reasonable, understanding that people expect bargains at garage sales. Be prepared to negotiate so sticker at a price you can work with. It is also nice touch to have shopping bags on hand to help people carry away their purchases.
7. Have a plan for bad weather
Whether you have a covered porch, an enclosed parking area or a tent you can erect at a moment’s notice, it is important to be ready for rain or a wind on garage sale day. Umbrellas may do the trick if you have a few of the large golf sized ones. In any case, the show must go on so be prepared.
9. Friendly competition
Some friendly family competition is also a good way to boost profits, include the whole family and hone everyone’s sales skills. To borrow an idea from ‘Clean Sweep’ on TLC - allow each member to hold back one item from the sale that they would really rather keep – even if not practical. At the end of the sale, the person who brought in the most money keeps their item and all others are given away.
Whether you are participating in a
community organized sale or having one of your own, garage sales are a great
way to shed rarely used items, earn a little extra money and get to meet your
neighbors. This blog includes some tips
on how to prepare to make the day run smoothly and add a little fun.
1. Go through your home to collect items
Plan ahead and set
aside items throughout the year, keeping them in a storage box until garage
sale day arrives. You can also prepare
immediately prior to the event, while you are spring cleaning through your
house to remove clutter and freshen up your home.
2. Plan a date that makes sense
Select a date
the promises reasonable weather for outdoor shopping. Check the events calendar to ensure there
isn’t a community event that will compete with your sale. Do not choose a weekend that is known for
people exiting the city, such as Easter, or a summer long weekend. Conversely, if live in a location that gets
high traffic for cottage goers, a travel day during those weekends would be
ideal. Don’t be afraid to ask around to
find out what’s been successful for other neighbors in your area.
Reminder
to Cornell ON residents – your community garage sale is on Saturday, June
the 1st, 2013. For all
other readers, come on by and see if something we have could turn out to be the
treasure you are seeking!!
Try to estimate your expected profit from the sale. That will help you determine what amount is reasonable to spend on advertising. Whether you have a small budget or large – advertising is always necessary to maximize success. There are varied options from advertising on your local website, to newspaper ads, flyers in visible points throughout your community and a sign on your street corner(s) a few days before and on the day of your garage sale.
4. ‘Showcase’ your merchandise
You will get a
limited amount of each shopper’s attention so make it worth their time. Present your items in an attractive display
that will make your items look like they are worth more than the sale down the
street where everything is piled in a heap or dumped into a box for people to
sift through. If you are selling candle
holders, include inexpensive candles that will show how nice your piece will
look in their home. Ensure that you have
ample table space for displays. Hang
clothes on hangers. Use a portable
clothing rack or create one for the day out of a couple of ladders and some broom
handles.
5. Have a cash box
Few people have the right change for their purchases - so ensure you have a full supply of coins and small bills. Store them in a secure location in a cash box or belt, if you have one. A cutlery tray that you can secure in a container will work as a low cost solution. Ensure that you have a total of all change enclosed prior to the sale so when you do your count at the end, you can subtract the initial float to determine the financial success of your sale.
Many people will not bother to ask for a price if you have not already stickered your items which means you are at risk of losing sales. Set prices that you think are reasonable, understanding that people expect bargains at garage sales. Be prepared to negotiate so sticker at a price you can work with. It is also nice touch to have shopping bags on hand to help people carry away their purchases.
Whether you have a covered porch, an enclosed parking area or a tent you can erect at a moment’s notice, it is important to be ready for rain or a wind on garage sale day. Umbrellas may do the trick if you have a few of the large golf sized ones. In any case, the show must go on so be prepared.
8. Snack and/or refreshment stand
This is a great
way to get the kids involved in the day and practice their entrepreneurial
skills. On a very hot day, they could make
a good profit selling bottled water, freezies or other cool refreshments. This year, my house will be the one with the
hotdog and refreshment stand.
9. Friendly competition
Some friendly family competition is also a good way to boost profits, include the whole family and hone everyone’s sales skills. To borrow an idea from ‘Clean Sweep’ on TLC - allow each member to hold back one item from the sale that they would really rather keep – even if not practical. At the end of the sale, the person who brought in the most money keeps their item and all others are given away.
10. Determine what you will do with items that don’t sell
The last thing
you want to do is bring items that you haven’t sold back into the house. You’ll end up keeping them and growing your
clutter again. Research options ahead of
time. There may be a local shelter, or a
thrift centre that will accept your items. Some charities may even do pick up
of larger items. You can even try
leaving items out at your sale site with a sign saying ‘FREE’ to see if they
disappear by the end of the day.
Through all of this, the most important
thing is to have fun. Include the kids,
if you can. What a wonderful opportunity
for them to take ownership of selling some of their own items. They’ll learn some lessons about sales and
negotiations and perhaps earn some money of their own at the same time.
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