If you are going to go to the time and effort of holding a garage sale, you want to maximize your traffic and your profits. As a seasoned yard saler, and admitted addict, I have put together some tips to help you achieve the best possible results.
(Image via flickr, copyright D. Nice)
First and foremost, check your local by-laws to determine whether or not you need a permit.
Realize that depending on the laws in your area you may be legally responsible for items that you sell at your garage sale. I know that here, if you sell faulty electrical equipment, and someone is injured, that you may be held liable.
Even though that is rare, and would be difficult to prove, I believe that you still have a moral duty to ensure that any items that you are selling are not a known potential danger.
In addition to faulty electrical equipment, this could include things such as helmets or car seats that might have been involved in an accident (no matter now minor). Even if they appear fine to the eye, they may have sustained unseen damage that could mean they would not be adequate protection in a subsequent accident.
If you believe the item to be safe, and know it has not been involved in an accident, double check the expiry date before you put it out for sale. Yes, buyers have a responsibility to check that as well, but I am sure no one would want to do anything that might contribute later to someone being injured.
Once you have learned about the legal requirements for holding your garage sale, it is time to start planning.
1. What Things Should You Include in Your Yard Sale?
(Image via flickr, copyright kathyinozarks)
The short answer....anything and everything that you don't want and are ready to part with!
You probably already have a good idea of the things that people are regularly looking for and selling at yard sales; furniture, children's clothing and toys, books, home decor items, tools, sporting equipment, etc.
But you might be surprised at what else people are looking for and will purchase. Time and time again you will hear people marvel, once their sale is over, that the 'good' stuff barely got a second glance, while those things that they didn't think they'd even be able to give away, were snatched up first thing.
This is especially true if the price is right.
Even items that are damaged or broken might be just the thing someone else is looking for.
Some people hunt for old plates and other pieces of porcelain or ceramic to break into pieces for mosaic crafts. A pretty glazed turquoise pot with a small chip or crack might be useful to someone who plans to bury it on its side in a flower bed.
That vintage camera that you aren't even sure works anymore...or know for a fact doesn't...might be worth a dollar or two to someone (like me) who enjoys collecting and displaying them.
If you are selling something that has damage, or that you aren't sure works, just make sure the buyer is aware of that. It's the decent thing to do.
Today I purchased a scrap piece left over from a wedding dress that had been re-purposed into something else. To the seller it was useless. For me, it will make a lovely photography backdrop for pictures of small items such as jewelry, or tea cups, etc., with its pretty lace overlay and beading.
2. Advertise
If you want people to come to your sale they have to know about it!
It used to be that someone had to pay to advertise a garage sale in the local newspaper. A no cost option was to put up a notice on the message board at the grocery store.
Nowadays there are various ways to advertise for free. Local on line buy and sell sites such as kijiji and craigslist are usually a great way to get the word out. Many towns and cities have local facebook groups for promoting yard sales that offer free advertising. You usually have to be a group member to do so though.
(Image from Calgary Herald)
In my opinion, these are the best ways to advertise, and the ones that I use when planning to go to yard sales. Most yard salers that I know, myself included, make lists of upcoming sales and then plan the morning's route accordingly. I always check kijiji and facebook when planning which sales I want to attend.
When you create your ad, this is the time to let people know details of some of the items you will be putting out at your sale. It will help you attract the right buyers and will help direct them to your sale.
I wouldn't bother to list the usual things found at garage sales, such as DVDs, books, glassware, linens and decor items. People will not go to a specific sale looking for such items, they are always plentiful on any given Saturday morning.
An exception might be themed decor items. If you have several pieces that are Asian inspired, or of Southwestern design, for example, that would be worth mentioning to help attract people with similar tastes who are looking for things for their own home.
Do list things such as children's toys and clothing. Even though these are common items, someone looking for those things will want to target sales known to have them.
Do make a note of clothing and shoe sizes. I see so many ads that simply list 'women's clothing and shoes'. I get there hoping to find some additions to my wardrobe, only to find that the clothes are XS and the shoes a size 5, and that nothing there would fit me.
Noting instead 'women's clothing, size 8-10 and shoes size 7' will help both you and your potential buyers.
Do list things such as sporting equipment, large furniture pieces, vinyl records, collectible items, jewelry, video games and gaming systems, camping equipment, musical instruments, bicycles, power tools and vintage items. Anything that might be unique or out of the ordinary should be included in your ad.
My advice is not to state a rain date in your original ad. I never make a notation of rain dates, and by the following weekend there are new sales listings that I follow to plan my route. If you do get rained out, create a new listing.
If the weather looks as though it might be iffy, and you plan to hold your sale 'rain or shine', either because it will be an indoor estate sale, or you have a garage or car port, then list this in the ad. Many of us diehards will go out in even inclement weather.
Community message boards at the supermarket are still an option, but only reach a limited number of people, and often require that you use specific note cards provided by the store and/or need to get management approval. This wouldn't be my choice of ways to advertise, but it might work for you in your area.
Putting signs up at nearby intersections prior to sale day can notify drive by traffic. I have made note of upcoming sales this way, sales that I might otherwise not have known about. Check first to see if there are local by-laws regarding the posting of signs on light posts, street sign poles, etc.
Be considerate and make sure to remove your signs once your sale is over. In addition to causing confusion for future shoppers, old torn and faded signs become an eyesore.
(image via flickr, copyright Mark Tournaukas)
I cannot stress the importance of this! I do not know how many yard sales I have missed over the years because of poor signage. Less is more when it comes to garage sale signs. And assume that no one has ever heard of your street name, no matter how popular or well known you believe it is.
Ninety-nine percent of those attending your sale are going to be driving there, and often from different neighbourhoods, or even different towns.
I am not a fan of, and do not recommend, store bought garage sale signs that have huge lettering stating Garage Sale with a tiny area below for information. I consider them a waste of money.
(Image via flickr, copyright enfocar100)
Homemade signs are usually better, but if the sign itself is too small, it might go unnoticed until we are almost upon it, and might be unable to stop.
Too much information on a sign will result in printing that is too small, and will make it unreadable to someone driving around searching for garage sales. Your signs are not the place to list the items you are selling.
All that a sign really needs is an arrow (or even just an arrowhead) pointing in the direction of the sale (continue ahead, turn left/right) and possibly the date. Garage sale addicts will know what this means.
This is a great sign!
You don't have to list the time of the sale. You don't even really need your address. Chances are Larkspur Lane will not mean anything to us anyways. But if you have room and want to include it, street name is fine, though a house number is not necessary. Once people get to the street, they will find you.
Put these directional signs at the closest main intersections and at each turn leading in to your address.
Use white or light coloured bristol board and a wide black (not fine) marker. Do not use dark bristol board or coloured markers. The former will make your sign stand out more and it will be easier to read.
This is an example of an ineffective sign that we saw yesterday. As you can see, it is almost impossible to read against the coloured background.
There are no directional arrows. The sign was not even at a corner, where cars are more likely to slow down or stop, giving those inside more time to read it.
As we went past, I did manage to read 'Hill Ave.' This sale was in the vicinity of where we live, but we could not recall exactly where this street was. We did not bother to go looking for it.
Later when we were done yard saling, and going out for groceries, we happened to drive by this street. We did stop then, and I did purchase a few things. But that was just a fluke, and the signs that this seller went to the trouble of creating were not an asset to their sale.
Once I drive past a sign, odds are that I am not going to turn around to go back to read it, unless it is a very slow day with few sales. If I am overwhelmed with information, and can't quickly pick out a date (to make sure it's not an old sign and an eventual waste of my time) and do not know whether to turn at the sign or continue ahead, odds are that I am not going to make it to your sale.
4. The More (People Selling) the Merrier!
You will get considerably more people seeking out and planning to attend your sale if you can participate in, or arrange, a neighbourhood (multiple streets in the area) or street sale (multiple homes on the same street). The more sales that we yard salers can hit in a short period of time, the better.
If that is not possible, a 'multi-family' sale can also be a draw. If you can get a couple of friends or family members to bring their items over on your sale day, that can help boost traffic at your sale as well.
(Image via flickr, copyright tina13278)
5. Price Things!!!
I cannot emphasize this enough. While it might seem like a lot of work, it is really not too much additional effort, once you have already sorted and earmarked things for your yard sale, hauled them out and set them up.
Pricing items can make a huge difference in your ability to make sales. If you cut corners here, it can be the difference between a successful garage sale and an unsuccessful one. Honestly.
You can purchase inexpensive price stickers at dollar stores. These often come with prices already printed on them, to make things even easier, as well as a selection of blank stickers.
(Image via flickr, copyright Chiot's Run)
You can even use the blank coloured stickers to colour code things, and have one pricing sign. For example, 'All pink dot items $1'.
Some people use masking tape and pen or markers for pricing things.
You don't even need to price every individual item. You can have tables set up where all items on that table are the same price, and do one sign. You can have a sign listing the price of clothing, books, DVDs, etc. rather than pricing each one separately.
Prices on items offered at garage sales can vary wildly. When seasoned yard salers walk up to a sale (and most people at your sale will be regular garage sale attendees) we try to gauge in those first seconds whether your prices are something we consider reasonable and will be willing to pay, or whether it is best to move on.
It is frustrating to spend time looking over all of the items at a sale, gathering up an armload of potential purchases, waiting for the seller to go through other people's armloads of treasures and settle up, only to find that we won't be buying those items after all.
Time is of the essence. And it is not only a waste of our time, it is a waste of your time as well. Do you really want to answer over and over again, all day long, 'How much is this?'
Do not ask people to make you an offer. Many people are uncomfortable with this and if you cannot give them some guidance as to your pricing chances are they will just leave.
Price things so that people can shop with certainty and as a bonus they will probably pick up more things.
(Image via flickr, copyright phoebeofthesea)
This will not likely affect the success of your yard sale, but please do not put hard to remove price stickers, especially masking tape, on the covers of old books or on any original vintage packaging. Some people will be buying these items as collectibles to display, and it is always so disappointing when a price sticker causes unnecessary damage to something.
6. Do Not Overprice
(Image via flickr, copyright Harpo42)
If you have a sentimental attachment to something, your yard sale might not be the best venue for parting with it. If it is going to make you feel insulted or badly in any way to get what you consider a low offer on a precious item, donating it and being able to feel good about that, might be a better option.
If you have something that you want to sell for $100 or more, a garage sale might not be the right way to go. You might have more luck, both in finding a buyer, and in getting the price you want, if you advertise that item separately through an on line buy and sell site.
If more than a few people have shown interest in a priced item but have picked it up and then put it back down, or more than one person has made a lower offer than the ticketed price, odds are you are asking more than the average price in your area.
Even if the item was never used by you, and is still in its original unopened packaging, it is not 'new'. You are not likely going to get anywhere near retail price for it. A general rule of thumb for garage sale items is 10% or less...usually less...of the original price.
For unused, unopened items you might possibly get a bit more, but you should not have expectations of recouping your money.
I have purchased many new with tags items, or things in original unopened boxes for pennies on the dollar at yard sales. Garage sales can be a good way to make a few dollars clearing out your unwanted items, but you need to approach it more as a way to declutter than as a way to make money.
I recommend pricing clothing and footwear with the idea of sending them off to a good home, and would price them very low. Many people who love shopping at yard sales draw the line at used clothing and footwear.
I am not one who balks at the idea of wearing gently used second hand shoes or clothing. But the number of people attending your sale who will be interested in adult clothing and footwear will be in the minority.
I paid $2 for this lovely blue dress. I also bought several pairs of shoes from this same seller. No one else was even looking at the clothing and footwear there, although it was all in like new condition.
Of shoppers who are open to adult second hand clothing and shoes, only a small percentage of those will happen to share your size 'and' your tastes. Even if I do find clothing that I like in my usual size, the reality is that different styles and brands all fit differently. Since people can't try clothing on, it is always a gamble. I'll gamble for fifty cents or a dollar (or a couple of dollars for something like the above dress), and donate something to the thrift store if it ends up not fitting me. But that's about as much as I'll risk.
If you want to sell these items, price them low. And offer extra special deals to those who buy multiple items.
This applies to adult items though and is not applicable to children's clothing and footwear, which tends to be sought after at yard sales. Still, prices need to be fairly low, because there is lots of competition, and bag sales or bundling purchases is always a good way to move a lot of merchandise.
To give some additional examples for pricing on adult clothing, I recently purchased an Izod Lacoste skirt for fifty cents, and last summer bought an Alfred Angelo full length gown for $5. I usually pay $1 for shoes.
If you do not usually attend garage sales yourself, ask someone you know who does for a pricing guidline of common items in your area. Here, softcover novels are still usually a quarter, with hardcovers going for $.50-$2 depending on age and popularity. Glassware starts at five or ten cents. DVDs are generally $1 for movies, up to $5 for movie sets or seasons of t.v. shows.
(Image via flickr, copyright gr8phul1)
Be willing to haggle, especially if people are buying multiple items, or if the first flush of early morning yard salers has passed. Haggling is part of the fun of the overall garage sale experience for many people.
Remember these are things you don't want anymore. It is better to get 'something' for them, than to have to load them up and cart them off to the donation centre.
If it helps anyone to feel better about selling things low, I know first hand that for many families shopping at yard sales is a much needed way to stretch the budget. In our early years, when I was a stay-at-home mom, getting deals at yard sales was a tremendous help to us.
Now that I am back in the work force, and my yard saling addiction is more for pleasure, and a desire, rather than an actual need to save money, know that many of those unwanted and unneeded items are going to someone who will treasure and appreciate them.
7. Display Your Items to Make Shopping Easier
Garage salers can, and will, bend down and rummage through boxes from time to time if the contents look interesting enough.
But you are more likely to make sales if your items are readily visible and easy to access. Having things on tables, if possible, rather than spread out on the ground, or piled in boxes, will result in more sales.
Hang clothing, if at all possible. If you don't have, or cannot borrow a clothing rack, stringing rope between a couple of trees is a great option. If people can see things hanging, it will catch their eye, and make them more likely to take a second look.
(Image via flickr, copyright Hanford Epic Missions)
If you decide to put clothing in boxes, group things according to gender and size. This is particularly helpful for children's clothing.
Group similar items together, kitchen items on one table, books and movies on another, seasonal items together, etc. That way someone searching for such items will have a better chance of seeing...and buying...them.
Make sure that there is room for people to move around. I was at a sale last Saturday where there was a very narrow space between two tables. One table was against a wall. There was only room for two women between them, who stood there for quite a while.
There were things on the table I wanted to check out, and might have purchased, but I couldn't get to them, and eventually I just gave up and moved on to the next sale.
This was a nicely laid out sale which I attended yesterday. This was also the seller who used the simple wooden sign pictured above. As you can, he was successful in getting buyers to his sale.
8. Safeguard Your Money Box and Watch for Thieves
Sadly, there are people who steal from yard sales. I have heard stories of money boxes left on tables that have gone missing. If you use a money box or jar of some kind, have it set closer to the house and/or have someone who can always keep an eye on it.
(Image via flickr, copyright Lorelei92950)
I think that fanny packs are an even better idea, that way you can keep your money with you at all times.
Just as stores regularly empty their tills, from time to time take a moment to put some of your cash inside the house.
If you have any higher priced items, especially smaller things, put them up closer to the house. I have also heard of people walking off without paying for items.
I had someone steal some things from me one time by claiming they wanted to buy a box of magazines that I had priced for a couple of dollars. After they left, I realized they had dumped most of the magazines around the corner of the house, and hidden other items in the bottom of the box. I hadn't even had anything very valuable or priced very high.
Fortunately, the immoral people lacking a conscience are not the norm. But they are out there, so just be aware of that, and minimize their opportunities to target you.
9. Have Lots of Change on Hand to Start Your Morning
(Image via flickr, copyright dawn m. arnfield)
Most people will have change or smaller bills for those initial sales, but not everyone will. Make sure that you have a 'float' of small bills and change on hand, so that you don't miss out on early sales because you can't break a $20 bill. When I have a sale of my own, I start off with $40 in small bills and coins.
10. Have a Supply of Bags, Newspaper and Boxes on Hand
Make sure that you have some plastic bags that you can offer to buyers for carrying their purchases.
If you have fragile and breakable items, start saving some old newspapers to wrap them in. Having small boxes available that you can put the wrapped items in can be very helpful, and will be much appreciated by buyers.
(Image via flickr, copyright NS Newsflash)
11. When Should You Have Your Sale?
This is one that will vary depending on geographic location. I have heard that in the U.S. Friday sales can be quite common. They would be very rare here and if there does happen to be a Friday sale it is usually being held at a local church, not a private residence. While there are sometimes Sunday yard sales, Saturday morning is the optimum day in our area.
Check to see when most other people are holding their sales. You will want to hold yours on the same day.
(Image via flickr, copyright bzoing)
Your start time is another important consideration. Be prepared to start your sale no later than 8 a.m. in most places. I have seen some people have sale times listed that do not begin until nine or even ten o'clock in the morning.
There have been garage sales that I would otherwise have checked out that I passed on because they were not set up yet when I was going to be in that area. People will not usually back track. If there are other sales in your area starting earlier than yours, you might miss the bulk of the potential buyers who will have already moved through.
I am usually done by noon. I know that some people continue their sales until the early afternoon, but generally you will get very little traffic after noon or one o'clock.
There are not usually very many yard sales here on holiday weekends. As a result, we sometimes skip going out on those Saturdays. It is possible though that if someone did hold a sale then, that the lack of other sales might make theirs more attractive to those who are planning to get out that day.
I do believe though that the best time to have a yard sale is when then are a lot of other sales going on. This is why I think neighbourhood or street sales are such a good idea.
12. Consider Selling Beverages or Food
Again, this is something you will need to check your local by-laws regarding first, but you can make some extra money at your yard sale by selling cold drinks, baked goods (either home made or a box of donuts from the local coffee shop) or hot dogs or burgers.
This can be particularly lucrative if you are participating in a community wide or neighbourhood sale where you will see a lot of traffic, and where you can entice people who might not otherwise be spending money at your sale.
I have purchased barbecued hot dogs from people as early as 9:30 a.m. When you are driving from another city to a town wide sale, and have been up before 6 am and have done a lot of walking for the past couple of hours, you can get quite hungry! And a cold bottle of water is often appreciated during a morning marathon of garage sales.
If your industrious child wants to set up a lemonade stand, consider allowing them to do so. They will enjoy earning their own money, and most people cannot resist an entrepreneurial young person.
(Image via flickr, copyright even (sea+prairie) )
Your profit margin on beverages or food will be worth the initial investment.
I have also seen some sellers advertise or offer free coffee for garage salers. While this is a nice thing to do, I do not believe it will create more traffic or impact on the success of your sale.
13. Remember That You Will Be Outdoors for at Least a Few Hours
I don't know about your locale, but here it can be cool in the mornings, even in the summer, and then can get hot and humid by mid-morning.
Dress in layers if necessary, with a light jacket that can be removed as the day goes on.
Wear comfortable shoes. You might be doing more walking about than you realize.
Have a comfortable chair to sit in.
(Image via flickr, copyright vinniediva)
Plan that you could be in the sun for hours. Wear sunscreen and sunglasses to protect your skin and eyes. Use bug spray if annoying insects might be an issue for you.
Arrange for easy access to your beverage of choice.
14. Should You Welcome People and/or Chat with Them?
This is a personal choice and should not impact on the success of your sale either way. Some sellers say 'hi' to potential buyers as soon as they step on the property, and like to chat.
Others don't say a word until spoken to.
Do whatever is most natural and comfortable for you. There is no right or wrong.
Do not feel compelled though to tell shoppers how much something cost new, every time they pick something up. We know how much things are priced at retail, it's one of the reasons we go yard saling.
Doing so makes people uncomfortable and can make them feel pressured. It is often an indicator that a seller is not going to haggle on prices and can cause people to just walk away.
15. Other Things to Consider
I often see dogs out front with their masters at garage sales that I visit. I love dogs, I have dogs of my own, and personally I enjoy seeing and interacting with them.
But remember that there are other people who might be afraid of dogs, or have severe allergies, who might not stop at your yard sale if they see a dog there, whether it's an imposing looking German Shepherd or a small, fluffy Shih Tzu.
If you do decide to have your dog with you, expect the unexpected. Someone else might come by with a dog of their own who is aggressive. An exuberant child might stick their face in your dog's face or throw their arms around him. There will be a constant flow of strangers on your property. If your dog might not do well in these situations, consider having him skip the event.
Protect your dog and your shoppers.
Whether or not you choose to smoke on your property is entirely your business. It does not bother me if sellers are smoking, but realize that there might be people who either dislike cigarette smoke or have allergies. Just as with dogs, there might be potential buyers who bypass your sale if you are smoking.
I don't know whether either of these things would have any significant impact on the success of your yard sale, but I mention them as things to consider.
16. Have Fun
(Image via flickr, copyright sea turtle)
Implement all, or none, of these ideas! These are just some tips I have compiled after three decades of going to garage sales almost every Saturday morning during our spring to fall garage sale season in Southern Ontario, Canada.
If you find any of them helpful, that's great.
Remember...this is 'your' garage sale. Do whatever works best for you to make it an enjoyable day. Ideally, it will be a relaxed morning where you manage to clear out some things, and make a bit of money in the process.
And if you have any tips of your own to add, please don't hesitate to share!
Nifty, thrifty and (over) fifty,
Cathy
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