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Garage Sale Tips and Tricks
Garage Sale Tips and Tricks
Looking for garage sale advice tips? Need tips for a successful garage sale? Garage sales are hotter than they have ever been before. With so many people looking to trim the family budget, finding a deal at a yard or garage sale can be the answer to their needs. Plus yard sales allow sellers a way to not only make a positive impact on the environment by repurposing usable items, they provide sellers with a quick source of income. However, there are some tricks to making a yard sale successful. While many people prefer to just stack their used goods outside and let people pick through the heaps, savvy sellers will market and stage their yard sale items to their best advantage. With that in mind, here are Garage Sale Tips and Tricks for having a successful weekend yard sale.
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Garage Sale Advice Tips and Tricks
Clean Out Closets and Cupboards
It can truly be amazing how many worthwhile yard sale items people unknowingly stash away in their closets and cupboards. Even sellers who have set specific items aside to sell should consider looking through their home one more time before the day of their yard sale.
Have Plenty of Change Available
If sellers position their yard sale right, they will get lots of foot traffic. That could mean lots of people with 5-, 10- and 20-dollar bills. Having change available is important, and not just dollar bills. It is important to have change as well.
Choose the Right Time of Month and Year
The best time of year for yard sales is during cooler months (think spring and fall). Having a yard sale in 100-degree weather can be unpleasant not only for the buyer but for the seller as well. In addition, yard sales on weekends near the middle and end of the month are more likely to attract those who have just gotten paid.
Market and Stage Yard Sale Items for Appeal
Anyone who has even gone to a yard sale and seen piles of dusty and dirty junk knows how impressive it is to find items that are cleaned and organized into similar groupings. First, clean items generally net more money because the items look more expensive. They look cared for. Second, by staging a yard sale so that similar items are together, shoppers have the opportunity to see their choices and may very often buy more than one.
Pre-Price Items to Save Time
Pricing yard sale items in advance saves sellers the headache of trying to figure out how much they want for their things. Plus it gives buyers a jumping-off point if they want to negotiate. Don't be afraid to price an item a little high knowing someone may make a counteroffer. And if a buyer hesitates, sellers should be ready to let them know they are open to offers.
Save Old Shopping Bags to Reuse
Here is a great way to repurpose any bags that sellers have accumulated from local stores, whether they be plastic or paper. Make sure to have a supply on hand for shoppers who need something in which to carry away their purchases.
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Big Ticket Items are Okay
Some people claim that yard sales should be all about the little items and that big-ticket items should be sold through other means. Big ticket items can sell just as well as the smaller pieces. Some people scour yard and garage sales for old furniture pieces, bicycles, and car parts.
An Item is Not Sold Until the Seller Has the Cash
Sometimes buyers want an item but do not have enough money with them. It's okay to negotiate a lower price if it still seems reasonable and fair. However, donít put the sold sign on an item or hold it aside based on someone's word that they will return it.
Market the Yard Sale Anywhere and Everywhere
Advertising is the only way to get enough foot traffic to generate serious cash. Post garage sale signs in the surrounding area that are large enough to read and have just enough information to attract customers. Pertinent information includes Yard Sale, address, date, and time. Arrows pointing in the general direction can be helpful as well. However, long lists of items available get lost in the sauce. And be sure to post early the week before to allow shoppers to plan.
Enjoy the Yard Sale
Finally, last but not least, be friendly. Remember yard sales are all about selling. Not only can this be a great social event, but it is also a chance to get to know the neighbors. Plus people are more likely to buy from buyers they feel comfortable around.
Garage Sale Advice Tips and Tricks
Part of being comfortable is for sellers to make themselves comfortable and follow these tips for a successful garage sale. That may include having shade and water available if the day is particularly sunny. Whether it is called a yard sale or a garage sale, the idea behind the process is the same. Advertising and marketing are the key factors to the success of any sales transaction. And understanding how yard sales work can make any seller successful.
