Need Some Advice on Having a Garage/Moving Sale with a Twist.....

I've seen a couple like that. They usually post signs just like a garage sale would, but it says "Indoor" garage sale.

Then block off the other rooms (use streamers or something), and have everyone come in to the room you are using, preferably closer to the fron of the house.

Be sure you have lots of big signs in your yard, with balloons tied to a chair, and a sign that says "come on in" or "please knock". That way. when people drive to glance down the street, they will see that it is still going on.

The one I went to the front door was kept open, and the lady basically sat by the entry welcoming people, and she had friends helping her out as well.

(Estate sales are when almost EVERYTHING in the house is for sale, usually following the death of a relative or a whole house moving sale, so I wouldn't consider this an estate sale).

I've tried something similar and even if you blocked off the rest of the house or were very clear about this room only, people and kids especially wandered off and then would still ask if anything else in the house is for sale. Unless you are going to have a lot of eyes helping you out that day, I really don't suggest letting people off the street into your home.

there are companies that will do estate sales for you. They set everything up and handle the entire thing. I am not sure if it is a flat rate or a percent of sales.

L.,
I am not too sure about your idea. Just my opinion, but you can not be too sure with total strangers moping around your home. All you need is one quack who will come in and survey what you have and come back and try to rob you when you are not at home. Now if you are having your garage sale (inside garage sale) exclusively for friends/family and friends of family than that is another story. Have you given thought to advertising the big items at craigslist - you would only have to potentially let in those that you screen first -- and the only leg work you might have is actually taking a picture and posting it - there is no charge to post on craigslist.
K.

If you want to do it this way, use craigslist.com - it's a wonderful tool!

-Char

I did something like this in San Antonio just before I moved to DFW. I wanted to pretty much get rid of everything. So I havd stuff in my Garage (attached) & my living area. Everything was in plain sight as you walked into the door & thru to the garage. All the other doors/rooms were closed off. My mom & a neighbor were there to help & help me keep an eye on things. It would be very hard to do something like this yourself & I would not recommend it. I know a lot of people have warned you of safety issues... I didn't really feel that to be a problem, but it depends on what kind of an area you are in. All in all you just need help to manage the people sometimes. Just like having an outdoor garage sale...you may have 3 people asking you about 10 differnt things at one time. It's just easier to have someone helping you. One Big recommendation is that you wear a fanny pouch or something like that (on you). Then when you get over $100.00 or so you may sneak off (when there are no customers) & put some of the money away. Just so that people don't see you with a huge cash roll in on you - like when you give them change, etc.

So good luck & let me kwow when/where the sale will be... I'm looking for a few things. Since I downsized 2 yrs ago from our move, I am trying to rebuild now that we have room again.

~S.

This is called an estate sale. Basically if you are going to do this make sure that you have people to help. When shoppers come in they will try to steal from you if you are working alone. Make sure the things you want to keep are completely out of site. Make sure the door is locked so no one can get into that space. I hope you do well. Also mark everything that you can mark. That way there are no questions about the price.

When you say you have no manpower, I take it that there isn't a man to help you out. No way no how would I invite weirdos into my home - especially if you have kids. That's nuts. Sell the stuff off of craigslist - but even then, you need to be careful and not let people into your home.

You might call around and see if there are any young teenagers in your neighborhood that would move the stuff out for you cheap.

I agree about taking a picture and putting it on Craigslist.com or ebay.com. Although, I have heard of A LOT of scams on craigslist, so be careful.

You might consider taking pictures and you could email out all your friends to email all their friends. On another moms board I am on, many of the moms will take pics and send out a message with for sale. They usually sell their stuff fast.

I have decided to never to another garage sale. It is just easier to donate it all. The only way to make money to justify all the work and time is to have big sale items. Otherwise, babysitting nets me more money.

Good luck.