A Penny Savers Shopping Mall

The Secrets to a Successful Garage Sale

By: Ian Ponting

It is probably the only time you can throw your unwanted items on your front lawn without provoking a disapproving look from your neighbours. Instead, they’ll likely saunter over with a pocket full of money and a few cold beverages. This is what makes garage sales so appealing – they’re equally fun and profitable.

Garage sales are perfect for those planning a move. Alternatively they serve as a great incentive for those who have compiled a lot of extra ‘stuff’ over the years. They can prove especially profitable if you begin with a plan.

It is essential to begin planning a few weeks in advance so you have time to implement sales techniques, such as advertising. The best way to advertise is by adding unique touches to customary advertising ideas. Attaching an assortment of colourful balloons to a sign, or using a catchy phrase in your newspaper ad will help generate excitement. Your local real estate office can also provide you with garage sale signs. You should begin advertising about three to four days in advance of the sale. Be careful not to advertise too early as this could cause potential customers to forget about your sale.

You will have to select a start and finish time for your sale. For maximum success, it is suggested to begin around 7 am, as most garage sale goers are early birds.

A plan will help you prepare for the unexpected, such as a rainstorm. Simply setting up your sale in a sheltered location, such as a garage, or having an alternative location to quickly move your items to in the event you do get showered upon, could help avoid the cancellation of a planned event.

To avoid last minute scrambling, make sure all items you need for the sale are prepared in advance. Some things that should be on your list include plastic bags for shoppers, tables, boards and boxes to display your items and markers and tape for sudden price changes. You can even prepare for price changes by deciding beforehand how willing you are to negotiate on your prices. In most cases, you should have room to lower your fees by 25 to 50 per cent. You will also need to decide what methods of payment you will accept.

Once you have your advertising complete and your basic items prepared, you can plan your merchandising. This is an area that can separate profitable garage sales from ordinary ones. For example, to attract customers you should display your most unique and interesting items close to the street, where they will be easily spotted. Take advantage of product placement by placing children’s toys next to women’s clothing, which should help keep children occupied while their mothers shops. Although clothes are often difficult to sell at garage sales, you can improve your chances by neatly hanging and showcasing the garments rather than pilling them up.

Grouping similar items together will make the shopping experience more pleasurable and familiar to those who frequent department stores. Place all similar items together, just as they are done in your favourite store.

To ensure that people stay long enough to peruse over all your goods, make sure they’re comfortable. On a warm day, offer cold glasses of lemonade and juice. For the early birds, have coffee and donuts on hand. To keep the atmosphere lively, not to mention original, play music in the background throughout the day.

These simple tactics will make your garage sale more profitable for you, and more pleasurable for your customers and neighbours, giving them one more reason to drop in for a visit.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this article. However, the information provided is general in nature and those with specific questions should seek professional advice that meets their particular requirements.