Planning a Garage Sale- Need TIPS!

I've heard that it's great to advertise on craigslist, which is free!

I read a tip once about pricing, and it was to price the items at 10% of what they cost you. So if a stroller cost you $150, price it at $15. I know that probably seems low, but people are really looking for deals and that's really the way to get rid of things. You would have to check with your village regarding signage. Our village requires a permit and they have rules about the signs. You should definitely check that out. Oh, and yes advertise in your local paper or the Herald. You'll get more traffic that way.

I LOVE garage sales!! If your house is at all hard to find, please put signs at each turn to get there. Also, one thing you can do to attract people is put furniture out. Here's a funny commentary, I have a hammock, the kind on the frame. It was in our front yard during our garage sale because we like to have it there to hang out on. I can't tell you how many people stopped to ask about how much the hammock was. So, it might seem like false advertising, which we didn't do intentionally but I suppose that could be bicycles, or other larger, high demand items. LOL!!

I would say price things as low as you can tolerate. If you want to get rid of it take whatever offer you are given. It's hard to do that with stuff you are emotionally attached to. I know there are some things I would rather give to friends or family than sell so cheap... But it's your stuff.

Feel free to email with questions if you want, I go to garage sales all the time and I have them at least once per year!

H. (____@____.com)

Advertise on Craigslist for sure! My husband and I check every week to see where the garage sales are in our neighborhood or surrounding areas.

In your ad, list specific things that people may find of interest. Post hours as well.

If your house is difficult to find, put directional signs on every corner from the closest main intersection.

Good luck!

I have had several garage sales, so here are some things I've learned...

It is much easier to price kids clothes at 50 cents per piece, with speciality items priced accordingly--then it will actually sell, and it is fast to add things up. Plus then outfits are $1, as well as 2 piece pj. I also priced my sundresses at $1. Then I just posted a few signs with the prices listed--saved me hours of going through and pricing, when tags usually fall off.
Use masking tape for pricing-it actually stays on!!

Put big eye-catching things out in front-many people will just cruise by slowly.
Make signage easy to read, maybe just SALE and arrow.

And remember--you are doing this to get rid of stuff, so be willing to wheel and deal!
Good Luck

I agree with Sheila - please price things! My sister just leaves if things aren't priced as she doesn't want to go through the hassle of bargaining, etc. I'll at least ask if I'm interested, but I do get frustrated as it seems like the sellers are just coming up with a price on a whim at that particular moment. If you take some time to prepare, you'll have many fewer headaches the day of the sale. You'll still have some people who like to bargain try to talk you down; decide ahead of time if your prices are firm or if you're open to some bargaining on certain items, etc.

As far as how much to price things, you need to decide if your main goal is to get rid of everything (price it low) or to make money and then donate (price for what you want to get out of it). To figure out the "going rate" and some other ideas, you also might want to visit a few garage sales in your neighborhood. As a new mom, I LOVE garages sales where kids' clothes are 50 cents for individual items in good shape. Of course, you can go higher for outfits, outerwear, etc. You can also price higher for the individual items if your goal is other than just to get rid of it at the sale itself.

Signs are important - bring them in from main streets. Advertising is good to draw in the weekly garage-sale-goers. We use colorful plastic flags around our yard.

Spread stuff out so people can see your items. Arrange clothing by sizes. Hang up the good stuff. Put books and DVDs in plastic bins with the spines up and titles facing the same direction. You can use your whole driveway unless it rains. Many folks don't go all the way back into the garage, so keep stuff toward the front or totally outside if it's a nice day. Have plenty of change. Good luck!!

Be sure you check with your town or village as to where you can put your signs. We thought it was okay to put ours on the public walkways and they took them down and threw them out. Fortunately we caught this on time.
Next is my pet peeve. Please, please put a price (that can be what your choice is) on the object or box it contains. I don't like hunting down the people and asking them what the price is and then bartering if I wouldn't like it (actually I get nervous and don't even stay usually).
I heard advertising in the local newsletter is often free and a good thing to do

You've already gottten some great tips--but I disagree about the pricing. It takes too much time to price EVERYTHING beforehand. Most of these prices you just make up anyway because of what you want for it. When I had a yard sale, people asked, how much for this? I responded Is that all you're getting? Get everything you want and I'll give you one good price for everything. It encourages people to take more stuff, and less nickel and diming over individual things.
Good luck--I'm actually preparing for my own yard sale next week!