How to Make Money with a Garage Sale

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Garage, driveway, or yard
Posterboard
Sharpies
Streamers or flags
Price Stickers
Folding tables

Step 1

Decide on a date for your sale. Research what day sales typically start in your area and go with that. Be sure to include a weekend day. If your neighborhood holds an area sale, consider that as well.
Step 2

Check with your city to see if any permits are required and obtain one if necessary.
Step 3

Begin to gather items for sale. Choose a 'staging area' in your home where you can place items until your ready to organize and price.
Step 4

Advertise in the local papers. Make sure your ad runs the days of the sale, as well as a day or two prior. Be sure to include the address, directions, dates and hours of your sale. Include the kinds of items you are selling. If you have brand names or other desirables that would draw customers in, include those as well. Consider creative titles that describe your sale: A Decorator's Dream! Baby Items Galore! A Video Gamer's Paradise!
Step 5

Advertise online on free sites like Craigslist and Kijiji. Include the same info as in your newspaper ad. Add pictures of desirable items if possible. Repost your ad to these online forums daily emphasizing different items or features.
Step 6

Set up your sale by organizing your items for sale by subject. Get as many items up off the floor and onto tables as possible. Make sure items are clean and displayed well. If a TV works, attach a note saying it does. Have outlets and fresh batteries available for people to try things out.
Step 7

Decide on a pricing strategy. Do you want to price your items high and be prepared to bargain with customers or price them to move and keep all prices firm? Visit some other yard sales and thrift stores in your area if you're not sure what items are going for.
Step 8

Price all items clearly. Most people will be put off by having to ask repeatedly how much something is worth. Stores such as Walmart and Deals sell pre-made price stickers to make this task easier
Step 9

Early on the morning of the sale, place signs at major intersections or at the entrance to your neighborhood. Choose brightly-colored poster board to make the signs and keep the color uniform. If the first sign people see is neon green, it will be easy for them to find the next neon green sign. Make lettering large and include arrows to indicate the direction shoppers should follow.
Step 10

On the day of the sale, pull as many items as possible out of the garage and onto the driveway or yard. This will attract passersby and people will be more comfortable browsing in a driveway than entering a garage. Attach streamers or flag banners to attract attention.
Step 11

Make sure you have plenty of small bills and coins to make change. "Wear" your money in a fanny pack so that you're not tempted to set it down when you get busy. Occasionally put large bills in a safe place in the house.
Step 12

Shoppers get thirsty so increase your profits by selling cold drinks from a cooler. This is a great job for kids to do and can be a great money lesson for them too. Loan them the money for beginning inventory and then have them repay you and keep the profits.
Step 13

Have fun and enjoy your rewards!