How can I have a successful garage sale (tag sale)?

Question

I already have the signs and flyers around the neighborhood and the ads have been placed in the paper and on the web. I need to know about what tends to sell, the best way of placing things on the lawn and driveway, and ideas about pricing and negotiating. I’ll have some good furniture, some clothes, some kitchen stuff, and a saddle and tack. I will be choosing a best answer, so thanks for your time!!

Answer 1

The key to a great garage sale is to have a great attitude, a big smile, plenty of extra change, and some extra help on your big day!

Two or three extra people to answer questions and watch the merchandise really helps. It can get really crazy; be aware that there may be thieves in the crowd and a few extra "eyes" really helps. Have a helper stand at the end of your driveway, garage, etc. to keep an eye on who goes in and what they carry out.

If your furniture will be shown in your house, you'll need someone to escort customers into your home and make sure they exit, as well. You'd be wise to lock all but one entrance to your house. Be sure to close/lock all interior rooms that won't be used. If possible the best way to sell your furniture is to place it in your garage/driveway - OUTof your house.

If you have gone to all the work to organize a sale, advertise it, and have customers show up, remember that you want to get RID of your stuff - not have to carry it back into your house. Keep in mind that "garage salers" pay garage sale prices - not a price near what you originally paid for an item and you'll be happier with the results of your sale! Price your items so you won't have to deal with it when the day is done. People like to get a "deal" so be open to a little haggling. It's part of the fun!

Display your kitchen items on a table and your clothes can be spread out on a blanket on the lawn, hung up on a line between trees, etc. Keep any electronics/ jewelry/valuables on the table where you'll be. Make sure you have a secure place to keep your money - a cash box, fanny pack, etc.

Keep a stack of old newspapers nearby to wrap "breakables" in and a stash of grocery bags is helpful, too. A long extension cord and a working outlet is helpful for customers to test electronic items.

A little soft background music (soft jazz, etc) also lends a festive and relaxing atmosphere to your sale.

No matter what, be friendly and enjoy your day!

Have a super sale!

Answer 2

You've done most of the things you need to do. Signs, ads, and now for the prices. There are two schools of thought. Fair price or give it away (things priced cheaply) depending on how badly you want things OUT OF THE HOUSE!

One thing for prices--have them nice round numbers 25 cents, 50 cents, etc. Easier to give change. Even in my city, NO CHECKS is becoming the standard. Cash only unless you know the person.

If things aren't selling at you are halfway through your sale, announce a 'sale'--20% off if you buy three or more items.

Books--25 cents to no more than $2.00 and that's for a hard cover newer book. Price furniture with a 10-20% cushion so if something was priced at $100, you could take $80 for it. Let the customer think the got a deal.

Haggling can be fun, but if you run into a jerk (the one who offers you $5,00 for a $70 piece), just smile and say no thanks! You can always donate your items to a charity and take the tax write off (just make sure all the price tags are off.)

When I first started on eBay and did HUGE rummages sales (multi family ventures with a take of over $4,000) we used to find the same item on eBay, get the highest price and print it out and attach it to the item for sale so they understood how much something was worth. (Especially with your saddle and tack.)

Ask friends and neighbors to join you--just make sure the items are color coded.

Expect early birds. Tell them to go away if you have a set time, but the earlier you start the sale, the better.

Have plenty of bags and newspapers (for breakables).

Sell pop with ice (the kids can do that.)

Oh...there's soooo much to do! ( And PLEASE take the signs down after the sale!!!! The neighborhood thanks you.)

All the best!

Answer 3

You're already on the right track with the signs and the ads. Also, you may want to think about putting balloons at your driveway(I live in the country, so you need them just to find the driveway!). You'll want to group like things together, perhaps even putting a sign in front of that section of the table. For instance, group kitchen appliances together, then group silverware and dishes together, then perhaps move on to office supplies. The more organized it is, the easier people will find the things they think they "need."

And above all, the other person is right. Go in thinking that it's your chance to clean house and get rid of things..and make a little lunch money, too. Garage sales were never really meant to make money over what you paid for the goods. Who knows, maybe you'll meet interesting people who come to you, too.

Answer 4

My most success with a garage or yard sale was just put them out in the yard or garage and let them have a ball looking make sure to have in mind what you want for each item and how much you will negotiate . When I put a tag on the merchandise I did not do as good.

Answer 5

first of all you need to have everything set up early, bargin hunters start around 8 a.m. different people have different opinions about what tends to sell. it is just whatever people are looking for or may be interested in....you can either hang clothes up or you could seperate them and fold them up and neatly place them on blankets on the yard..clothes should be priced cheap..people are not gonna give much for used clothing. you wouldn't give 5 dollars for a used pair of jeans that you could buy new on sale for 15 or 20..maybe less depending on the store. i am a bargain hunter and I love stores like wal-mart and I am sure that many other people do too..so price clothing cheap..if you have childrens toys put them in a good location where people's children can see them from the road...or if you have any popular items or something that is rare, put it in view too...it is always a good idea to seperate womens items from mens and childrens from adults. that way if someone is looking for a particualr item they can find it easier if you have it..it really doesn't matter how you place things on the lawn or drive way as long as people can easily get to it and to the other items...place the furnature in an area to itself but in a place where people know it is for sale..make sure that it looks presentable, no cat or dog hair or not really dirty. people are not gonna buy something that they have to spend hours cleaning before they use it. now about pricing...people will always try to negociate you even if it is a nickle...price it to the best of your knowledge and if someone wants to give you 20 dollars for something you want 25 dollars for...think about how old it is how much it has been used, how bad you want rid of it and how much you would be willing to buy it for if you were in their shoes and then decide if that extra 5 dollars is really needed.
Always remember you are selling used stuff. you are not trying to make a million dollars, and you are not in a competition...but have fun....make a few extra $$..and brighten someone's day
Good Luck

Answer 6

definitely put an ad in the local newspaper and put signs up around your neighbor hood. People love garage sales, most of the time they just don't realize one is going on around them. I would also ask family members or friends if they would like to sell things at the garage sale. People also love multi-family garage sales! make sure you put that in the ad too!

Answer 7

Well to start, put things that are more interesting up front to grab people's attention. Also, price items fairly. That way there is a little room for bargin but they don't seem too high to customers. I don't have many garage sales so I don't know too much...hope this helps!

Answer 8

well baloons help catch the eye.have things kinda close to the street to get people to look.you have done well with the flyers and add in the paper.i think also that having it at the begining of any new month is good to.people get there ssi,welfare checks (no offence to anyone)well here's what i see that go's well... older sports ball cards,baby cloth's,older stuff like post cards,stamps,coins,cone top beer cans.price things a little high so you have room to come down.you can also make goodie bags with different things in them for like $2.00-$3.00 dollars i could go on and on.but i know that saddle would sell better on ebay.hope ive helped..good luck!

p.s. try to put some guy's stuff in it to cause we like to look to.

Answer 9

Go in it with the idea that you just want to get rid of the stuff. garage sales aren't really for making money, just to clean house.

Answer 10

just make sure its all organized neatly & always ask a higher price than what you really want for an item because they are going to get you to come down on your price