I’m planning on having a garage sale this Saturday. The last one I had was kind of a bust. This time I’m going to do more advertising, but my city makes it hard. You’re not supposed to post signs on corners or in yards without permission, yada yada. I’ve got a lot of big stuff to sell…bunk bed, wing chairs, bikes, etc. Hopefully this one will be more successful.
The kids are even getting in on it and sorting through their junk treasures, deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. Nick jokingly suggested we sell the kids. But then we’d have to have a “no returns” policy. I smacked him for that one.
Hopefully we’ll get early traffic. I don’t plan on being out there much past 2 pm. It’s gonna be too damn hot! And I hope I sell all my crap! The garage is up to it’s eyeballs in stuff! After this it’s going on eBay, and if it doesn’t sell then, it’s going to Goodwill. I will park my car in the garage again!
Got any good Garage Sale tips? I’m thinking I’ll have some bottled waters on ice. Maybe include that in my advertising. Free water with purchase!
Interstellar Adventures 
Free water will definitely work.
Most yard sales we’ve had are over before 2.
Most folks shop early.
Good luck and drink alot of water.
~m
Comment by michaelm — August 2, 2006 @ 10:02 am |
Oh, how I love garage saleing… Sounds like a wonderful time. The only advice I have is to price low… I hate going to sales where people ask for too much.
Comment by jess — August 2, 2006 @ 11:33 am |
It’s funny – Garage sales all attract the most diverse bunch and you’d be surprised by how many drive-bys you get!
I agree that you should low ball prices if you just want to get rid of stuff.
Like the water idea…
Maybe the kids could do a lemonade stand for some extra pennies…
Comment by Tori — August 2, 2006 @ 12:34 pm |
What do you want for your wing chairs. BH and I are looking for some for the office. Can you post a pic?
Comment by Surrender Dorothy — August 2, 2006 @ 12:42 pm |
I love a good garage sale, although I don’t particularly like hostessing one!
The main tip I have is to put big fluorescent pink or orange signs up with big letters, but I guess that’s a no-no. Maybe offer up a box of free things and write “FREE” on the outside of the box so the drive-by looky loos will be forced to stop, out of curiosity.
Comment by AbbyNormal — August 2, 2006 @ 12:47 pm |
From the King of Garage sales (you know who!): Put your stuff out on the driveway as close to the road as possible.
And from me – Put an ad in your spanish-language paper. The mexican families in our community will pick a garage sale clean!!
Comment by Cara — August 2, 2006 @ 1:21 pm |
I remember reading about your last garage sale! Hard to believe I’ve been reading Lass that long 🙂
Have a wide variety of items. Sales that are mostly clothes-only aren’t attractive to a lot of people. Park a bike out there, even if you’re not planning to sell it. Maybe some furniture. And lots of baskets and knick knacks and crafty type stuff. And price to sell. You don’t want it anyway, so make it cheap.
And I agree with michaelm, start early, around 7 AM. When we have them, most of the traffic is by early and it slows down a lot by 11 or 12.
Comment by Bone — August 2, 2006 @ 1:44 pm |
We don’t have garage sales over here so I wouldn’t know where to start with tips I’m afraid. I do hope it goes well though!
And….you’ve been tagged!
Comment by Claire — August 2, 2006 @ 2:09 pm |
Good Luck. I did one once and it will be the last time. THe people I got were so rude…..I hope you make lots of jing…
Comment by Nancy — August 2, 2006 @ 2:24 pm |
I’m not good at hosting garage sales so I don’t have any tips, but I do wish you luck. I hope you sell everything! Except the kids. What is it about men and wanting to put the kids up for sale. I always remind Brian that the only one we could get money for is the baby. The others are too old. No one is going to want them and their bad habits! Sheesh! 🙂 Anyway, good luck!
Comment by Jolynn — August 2, 2006 @ 3:00 pm |
I haven’t had much experience with yard sales but was just talking about this last night. I need to have one. I have some big stuff in the basement to get rid of but dread the lugging it up the steps and having it potentiall not sell. Then what do I do???
I recovered two decent mountain bikes out of my neighbors trash last night. I really cannot stand when people want to throw away decent stuff. They need a little work but, some kid would be thrilled for one of them!!!
Good luck on your sale!
Comment by Carnealian — August 3, 2006 @ 6:32 am |
Oh man, I need to have one too. I’m waiting for snowbird season. They really buy everythign in sight, stocking up their condos! Good Luck!
Comment by Laura — August 3, 2006 @ 6:42 am |
My tips would also be start early and
finish early.Otherwise you’ll get way
too tired.
Free water would be a good idea when
someone buys something.
Lemonaide stand done by the kids
would be excellent too as people find
this so cute that they usually buy some.
If other neighbors could do one also,it
would help bringing more traffic as people
are more prone to stop at the sales with
tons of things.
Good luck,
Marie
Comment by marie — August 10, 2006 @ 1:08 pm |