Comments on: How to Hold a Profitable Garage Sale

on 8/26/2008 If you are starting a consignment business, for sale called: Too Good to be Threw by Kate Holmes. Please e-mail me if interested.

kelliesandefur@yahoo.com

on 1/2/2007 An easy way to make some extra cash is to sell soda and bottled water as well. Put your children in charge of the soda table and they will enjoy being able to sell stuff too. Most buyers go to many sales at a time and get thirsty easily. Buying them a soda is also something parents are happy to reward their children with for tagging along to the garage sales. Plus, you can keep and drink for yourself whatever doesn't sell.

on 8/8/2006 Get yourself a chair and a small table for your check out line. This way your customers know where and who to pay, and you don't run yourself ragged all day. Some people use a small box or metal tin for keeping the money, but I have been having sales for over 30 years and have tried many different ways. I recommend, a fanny pack. If you don't own one, buy one! Like bananas, customers always seem to come in bunches. It is easy to get busy or distracted and lose sight of your money. But with a fanny pack you have your money right next to you at all times (for safe keeping) as well as to make change when necessary. I have mistakenly picked up a box that I thought was for sale and it contained the sellers money. How embarrassing! I have also known people who worked very hard for weeks preparing for and having a sale, only to lose all of their money because someone walked off with it while they were distracted. I recommend never having a sale alone. Have at least one friend or relative with you. While most people who frequent sales are extremely nice (I have met some of my best friends this way), there are those who prey on such things. A buddy allows time for comfort breaks without the stress, and smalltalk helps pass the time during the slow periods.

on 2/2/2006 Often the idea of the garage sale is to get rid of things you no longer need or have the room to store.
A "Free Pile" is a great way to get rid of things quickly, and give them to someone who will put them to good use.

on 11/22/2005 Before placing a sign in someone's yard, get permission from the homeowner. You may find your sign missing if you don't.

on 11/22/2005 Make sure all doors are locked so no one can get into your home and rummage through stuff and help themselves to your valuables that you do not want to sell!

on 11/22/2005 Although you may be tired following your garage sale, the signs you made and placed around the neighborhood need to be taken down and properly disposed of.

on 11/22/2005 One of our garage sale customers told me to put my box of books up on a table and the books would sell faster. It certainly worked! After picking the box up off the floor and putting it on a table - all the books sold! The biggest reason - people don't want to bend over for long periods to go through books. This is especially true for older folks who love to read!

on 11/22/2005 I try to have a box at the check out table filled with all the various sized batteries we keep on hand for people to see that a toy or electronic gadget does work. The batteries do not go with the item, of course. Make sure you also have a light bulb in addition to the extension cord if you are selling lamps.