It’s garage sale season! If you want to host your own but need a few pointers, here are the top tricks and tips to ensure you have a great garage sale.
Set a Date
Where to start when planning a garage sale? The date. By choosing a deadline, you’ll be given a frame of reference for how long you have to accomplish tasks along the way. You could choose any date, but here are a few tricks to help you select better.
When choosing, you want it to be close but not so close you’re panicking. You also don’t want it to be so far you end up procrastinating and never get around to hosting your garage sale. A good rule of thumb is to give yourself at least two weeks to prepare, but not more than four or five. And, of course, any good garage sale is typically on the weekend, as more people are out and about.
Gather Your Items
Now that you have your date, it’s time to go through and find items for your garage sale! The best thing about these sales is people are looking to buy a variety of items. So you can include furniture, clothing, books, toys, electronics, home décor, bicycles, and more.
To make life easier for your future self, group similar items together while you’re looking for things to sell in your home. For example, group children’s items together. By doing this organizing now, it will be easier to organize and set up your garage sale on the big day. It will also be easier to direct customers through your sale and let them shop in certain areas that have items they’re interested in.
What Not to Sell
While there’s a lot you can put out for sale, there are some things you should steer clear of selling at your garage sale. Avoid selling hazardous chemicals, explosives, firearms, and anything else that could cause injury if improperly used. Items that require specialized knowledge, such as power tools, should also be avoided because a buyer may not realize the risks associated with their use. Additionally, it’s best to avoid selling worn intimates (bras, underwear, swimsuits) or things that could be offensive or inappropriate.
Price Things Right
The big question you may be wondering: “How do I price garage sale items?” To appropriately price your items, you need to do some research.
Research sites like eBay, Amazon, or Mercari to determine what similar items have sold for. This will help give you a general idea of how you should set your prices, taking into account that yours is not likely new and won’t go for the price of something new.
It’s also helpful to set different price tiers (like $1, $5, $10) so customers have options and can find something within their budget. Finally, don’t be afraid to do a little negotiating. Negotiating is a time-honored tradition of garage sales, so be open to some haggling. If there are items you’re selling you won’t negotiate on price, identify them ahead of time and make it clear on the price tag the number is “frim.”
Get the Word Out
The sale is coming up…time to get the word out and advertise! Try and get the word out about a week before the date so you allow people time to plan their attendance.
Make signs and post them in high-traffic areas near your home like intersections and public parks. Include an eye-catching headline along with details about where, when, and what items you’re selling. And don’t forget about the power of the internet! Social media is a great way to reach people in your community. Advertise your sale on your Instagram or Facebook page, and post about it in local neighborhood groups. Promoting your sale on online marketplaces like Craigslist is also an option to consider.
Be Prepared on Sale Day
To have your garage sale go smoothly, make sure you’re prepared. Gather tables to display your items, and on the big day, ensure everything is easily visible, accessible, and clearly labeled. Also, check in with yourself that you’re ready to sell every item you put out. You don’t want someone to make you an offer, only to realize you don’t actually want to part ways with that item.
Last, but not least, prepare to give out change. You may have to break a lot of $5 and $10 bills for people in order to make the right change, and you don’t want to run out. Go to the bank ahead of time and get a few coin rolls and small bills.
Don’t clutter up your home with leftover garage sale items – store them with us at All Secure Storage!
Got Leftover Items? Store Them at All Secure Storage!
Even the best garage sales can leave yards of unsold items. Donating those items is an option to consider, but you may also be able to sell them again during a different garage sale. A clean, secure storage unit can help you navigate what you want to do with your items while also keeping your home clutter-free.
No matter how much leftover stuff you have after your garage sale, store it with us at All Secure Storage! We have a variety of storage unit sizes available, so no matter how much you need to store, we have the space. We are the go-to storage provider for the Western Slopes. With a convenient location in Montrose, we’ve got your storage needs covered.
