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Organising a Garage Sale

A garage sale is not only a way to clear out unwanted goods it can also be surprisingly effective at raising some ready cash. Moving is an expensive undertaking and, while a garage sale will not clear out even a small mortgage, it can turn unwanted or obsolete goods into much needed dollars.  Every weekend around the country people are turning over their houses to the general public and proving the old adage that one person's trash is another person's treasure.  Here are some tips for running a stress free garage sale.

Advertising

There's no point putting everything on the front lawn if nobody comes to buy.  Put posters around with the date and address clearly marked.  Make the poster as eye catching as possible and list the types of things that are for sale. Make a definite starting time as dealers will often turn up early to obtain bargains. Adverts can also be place in the local paper, in the Trading Post and online at websites dedicated to listing garage sales around Australia.

Security

If possible keep the garage sale to a clearly defined area: if the garage is big enough this is the obvious place to hold it.  Otherwise block off part of the front garden or porch.  Wherever it is held, make sure that it is clear where visitors can and cannot go.  Make sure that the house is locked so people cannot wander in.  Once again, watch out for dealers who may arrive early and try to gain access before the garage sale has started.

Recycling

One of the great benefits of a garage sale is seeing things that seemed outdated gain a new life when they are just the thing someone else has been looking for. It's surprising just how many things people need and cannot find in the usual bland shopping strips.  Never think that something is too old or too insignificant to be put in a garage sale: often these are the first things to go.

Multi-home sale

Everyone has too much stuff at home so ask friends, relations or neighbours if they are interested in setting up a multi-home garage sale.  The more things for sale, the more people will stay and browse and find something that they want or need.  More people means more talents: the bargaining guru who knows just how low to go, the porcelain expert who won't let you sell the Ming vase or the sweet-talker who closes the sale on the punter reluctant to part with a few gold coins.

Float

Always have plenty of change: someone will turn up with a fifty dollar note and someone else will want the twenty cents change they have haggled on a cracked plate.  A small cash box that can be kept secure is the best bet.

Make it festive

Make the garage sale stand out, both to attract passers-by and to make it a fun experience once people are there. Put balloons or streamers around the area where the sale is being held. If you have a green thumb then make a few pot plants with cuttings of your favourite plants to sell for a few dollars.  Anything that adds a personal touch will encourage people to spend time looking and hopefully buying.

Under valuing

A garage sale is all about finding a bargain but it would be a shame to sell for a few dollars something worth much more.  Get an idea from secondhand and opportunity shops of the value of commonly sold secondhand goods.  If you suspect something is really valuable then a quick trip to the library to leaf through antique and collectibles price guides will be well worth the effort.  By the same token, trying to get too much for a well worn shirt or plastic colander defeats the purpose of having a garage sale: have some fun, make some money and clear out the house.