How to have a Successful Rummage or Garage Sale
A successful rummage sale is often determined by the amount of time you take to prepare the items you want to sell, how you arrange those items and the awareness you create leading up to the sale. The following offers tips to help you make sure that your sale is the most successful it can be.
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One of the most important aspects of having a successful rummage sale is advertising. If people do not know you are having a sale or cannot find it, you have already failed in your attempt to make some extra money. Advertise in newspapers or shoppers and make up your own fliers to put up around your neighborhood.
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Make sure you have signs that are eye catching. Place them in visible places. It's a good idea to have one or more on a busy road close to where you intend to have your sale. Provide directions by using arrows and descriptive wording, such as "Four blocks ahead" or using the exact street address.
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Many people will simply drive by if they do not notice anything from the road that they might be interested in. Place some of your nicer items in the front of your sale. Usually, there are a couple things that most people expect to go really well at a rummage sale. Strategically place these items in and around the front of your garage or sale area.
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Most men are drawn in by electronics and tools. It is usually a good idea to have a table with these items out front. This will attract any potential customers passing by. Also, DVDs typically sell very well. If you have any for sale, you might want to place them out front, as well.
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Make your sale easy to navigate by combining like items. Place shirts and coats on racks, if available. Find a nearby area for any shoes you might have.
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If you have a large quantity of small items, like jewelry or craft stuff, you might want to combine a few or more in plastic bags and sell as a small lot. People seem more likely to buy in this format than if they are just tossed in a container all together.
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Consider having a cooler with ice for soft drinks. On a hot summer day, there is nothing more refreshing than a cold drink. This may keep your customers shopping and bring you in a few extra bucks. If you are really ambitious, you might want to bake some goodies and have a small bake sale along with your rummage sale.
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If you notice several people looking at an item but no one is buying, you might want to lower your price or tell them to make you an offer.
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As items sell, rearrange things. Place things from the back of the area to the front. Rotate merchandise and try out different displays.
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On Sunday, or whatever the last day of your sale may be, write on your signs that all items are half off. This will likely draw in a lot more people and help get rid of the last of your stuff. After all, it's better to make a few more bucks than to have to dispose of it. Whatever is left over can be donated to charity.
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It is usually a good idea to offer a bag sale on the last day. Have paper bags available and tell customers that for a set price, like $3 or $5, they can fill up their bag. This really helps to get rid of the last of your things. You can also have the bag sale on just clothes.
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