Garage Sale-ing is the Game

Recently I picked up the book “Garage Sale America” to browse through.  I loved it!  He had many do and not do lists.  He had lots of pictures and stories.  I loved the great find sections.  The one thing he wrote in a “don’t” list was “don’t ask the use the bathroom.”  That is such a strange thing to ask for!  Thankfully, I can’t recall ever having someone asking me that. 

My friend Dawn and I love to post our garage sale weekends.  It isn’t just for necessity, or a hobby, it is also so much fun!  The weird things we see, or interesting people we meet, keep our lives interesting and gives us much to offer for amusing conversations.  Click here to read our blog: A Homemaking Journey Blog

There are several great places to go to find out the best way to put together your garage sale.  http://www.yardsalequeen.com is a fun and informative site.  She even has cute signs! 

My best friend Dawn and I had a $580 garage sale and whenever I do the same things I’m going to share, I usually earn more than $100.   When people are paying I ask them how they heard from me- the paper or the signs.  The most frequent answer is the paper.

• Advertise in the paper!  This has made the biggest difference!  
• For signs, I’ve been sticking with neon green since everyone seems to notice them.

• Try to set your garage sale up like a store. 
• Pre-package toys together, even odd stray toys sell quickly in a set. 
• It is less back-breaking to have clothes up on a table. If you don’t have enough tables, arrange them on a sheet or blanket on the ground. 
• Pre-price everything!  It makes a difference.  Some people are too shy to ask how much something is, and it’s hard to keep track of what you said when they are all lined up to pay you.
• Be reasonable.  No one wants to pay $10 for a book that is “like new”. It’s at a garage sale- its junk.
• Let your kids join in on the fun!  My kids have lemonade stands; they’ve sold brownies, etc.  One neighbor of mine sets her son up with a cooler full of sodas and candy.

 

Above all, have fun!  So you only make $5, enjoy the experience and remember there is always next weekend!