Quick tips for a super-successful garage sale!

As we look forward to warmer weather, Spring cleaning is a common activity these days. While you're at it, why not clear out clutter and freshen up your home? The most effective way to unload pre-owned home goods quickly is to have a yard or garage sale. With a little effort and planning, you can maximize the results of your efforts.

Advertise

Pool resources with neighbors and friends to save on the cost of paid ads. (Having more stuff will also attract more buyers!) Don't overlook free ads. Craigslist is one resource. If your sale is planned for a Saturday, try to run your ad on Friday as well as Saturday's newspaper for those shoppers who like to plan ahead.

Also, I will gladly post news of upcoming yard and garage sales here in my blog – along with a listing of sale items – if you are located in the eastern Connecticut or Rhode Island areas. Send me an email with your information. Feel free to provide me with a listing of what you'll be selling and attach photos too.

Signs

Put out plenty of large signage! Bright, neon colored card stock boards are great. Use oversized, chunky lettering. Remember, you want drivers to be able to easily read your words from the road. Use big black arrows, pointing in the proper direction, and follow up with arrow signs at every turn.

Don't list items for sale on the signs. Simply announce the sale, days and hours, with the street address and arrows.

Money

Have enough change! Remember to visit the bank before-hand and have your bills and coins sorted for quick access when the buying frenzy begins.

Cleanliness

A gentle wiping may be all that's needed for most items that have been in storage for a while. A few minutes of preparation can make a big difference in how appealing an item will look to buyers.

Staging

Put some thought into how your items are presented.

Use sturdy tables and racks and group similar items together. Sort out clothing by size. Drape linens over tables so buyers easily see the detail in fabrics. Set books up on shelves, spine out. Separate hard covers from soft, adult material from children's books.

Don't leave miscellaneous boxes randomly sitting around -- especially boxes of mystery goods still wrapped in newspaper, or boxes of unsorted clothing. It's unlikely that many potential buyers will have the patience to hunt through it all.

Identify yourself as the seller.

A warm hello and pointing out where different things are placed will make buyers feel welcome. Nothing's worse than having a question about an item or wanting to check out, and not knowing who to see.

I've also been in the situation where it's near the end of the day and the tables are left out with goods for sale, but no one is around. At least leaving a sign out with instructions to ring the doorbell would give an interested party a way to inquire about buying!

Avoid confusion.

If you're selling from your garage, clearly separate what's for sale from what isn't.

Pricing

Use EASILY REMOVABLE stickers to mark prices. Some sale-goers may not ask about a price if they see you busy with another customer, or they may assume the price is over their limit.

Let buyers know if you are open to offers or willing to negotiate.

Finally, don't price too high -- Remember, this is not a retail environment, and yard sale goers do not have the emotional connection you may have for your grandmother's table cloth or your old dolls. You could end up packing it all up and wondering what to do with it later.

Electricity

If you have light fixtures or electronics for sale, buyers will want to be sure all is in working order. Have an outlet with an extension readily available.

Honest Selling

Let buyers know if an item is flawed. Maybe bowl is chipped on the underside or a stereo has a crackling sound going on -- whatever. If something is repairable, by all means, include it in the sale, but be sure to point out any flaws you may be aware of with an item.

Have bags and newspaper available.

Save your old shopping bags ahead of time and put them to new use at your checkout point. Newspaper is useful for wrapping breakables.

Helping hands

If possible, having a strong young man in the vicinity can be a huge plus for those who may need assistance in carrying heavy items to vehicles.

Donate your leftovers.

Plan in advance for a Salvation Army pick-up or helpers to lend a hand in clean-up and transporting whatever hasn't sold. If you end up pulling it all back into the house, you've defeated the purpose of cleaning up and clearing out.