Garage/Yard Sale ABC'S For Success~

HAVE THE BEST GARAGE/YARD SALE AND FUN AT THE SAME TIME!

Advertise Your Sale:

• Be sure your sale gets a mention in the local newspaper, pin notices on grocery store bulletin boards, staple to poles and even handout to friends and neighbors, co-workers. If time allows have your church include it in their weekly bulletin.


• Mention the date, time, place and any key items for sale, special note as to whether strictly household miscellaneous or specifics.

Make Signs:

• Place signs in your front yard(make them visible from the street), at street corners and at busy town intersections. Mark the sign with arrows pointing in the direction of sale. Tack down securely to avoid the wind blowing them away.


• Buy garage sale signs or make your own out of poster board(attach it to a wooden stake). Use stencil letters or print in permanent marker. Make letters large enough to be seen from the street.


• Hang helium balloons from the sign to attract more attention.

IMPORTANT TIP: Remember to remove all signs after sale is over!

Display Your Items:

• Be sure all your items have been checked over first. Have clothing clean and other items reasonably free of dust and dirt. Anything that has an unpleasant odor will not be a desirable item to have out.


• Once you have checked everything carefully, set your items up at least the day before the sale. It's always smart to be prepared for early birds who want first crack at your treasures. Another thing to remember, is to treat your sale like a store making it easy for shoppers to sort through items.


• Group items together same as department stores. Anything to make it easier for the buyers.


• Set up tables or sawhorses with a plywood top to display items.


• Hang clothes on racks or on a rope between two trees. Save dry cleaner hangars to display clothes. Mark sizes.


• Attach price label. Use plain or colored labels, hang tags or pre-priced stickers(save you time) to mark your items. Use different colored labels if you are having a multi-family sale(helps keep track of the sales).


• Have instructions and owner's manuals taped to items. Also, plug in electronics and have batteries in battery operated items so people know they work.


• Package small items that are alike(i.e., a bag of craft supplies; a bag of hair accessories). Then give the package a single price(i.e., each bag, $1.00).


• Put large ticket items, such as furniture, near the street to peak the interest of passersby.


• Take photos of large items and display on poster board(i.e. a bed or a mattress). This helps you from having to bring certain large items to the garage or the driveway. Of course you can physically show items to interested parties, but make sure to have a helper to oversee the sale when this is necessary.

GET YOUR CHECK-OUT STATION READY:

• Have a cash box or fanny pack to keep money in one safe place. Also make sure to have small bills and lots of change on hand.


• Be ready to negotiate! Shoppers are always looking for a better deal.


• Have help on day of the sale.


• Finally, donate leftover items to charity.

Have fun! Garage/yard sales are a great way to meet neighbors and better yet, it's a great way to get rid of the junk and follow those dollars right into your wallet.

~Consider These Options For Making Money~

TO BE SUCCESSFUL WITH THESE IDEAS,

BE CREATIVE, POSITIVE AND RESOURCEFUL!

1. PROVIDE A SERVICE: Virtual secretaries(work at home) are in demand and a necessity for businesses that are operating on a shoestring. Consider installing one or two land line phones enabling you to provide an answering service to trades people, such as electricians, plumbers, lawn maintenance etc. Look in the Yellow Pages for business's listed by owners name only. A clue they probably do not have an office. Prepare a very professional flyer with your business name, services offered(you can include paperwork, billing) whatever you are capable of. Be honest about that. Have a salary in mind that includes your expenses, be prepared to negotiate though. AND most important, when you have made a decision on a client(s), get everything in writing, signed and notarized.
2. SELL ON CONSIGNMENT: A golden opportunity to finally get rid of those items you no longer wear, if ever and be paid at the same time. Look carefully through your gently worn clothes making sure they are clean, with no tears; button and zippers working, and remember jewelry too and bring to a reputable consignment shop. Be patient, it takes time but it's worth a little bit of your time.
3. YARD AND GARAGE SALES: The absolute primer on making money, a must to try and is almost always successful. It is work, preparation is the hardest step but without taking the time to do the prep work, you will end up disappointed with a small turnout and profits. PLEASE READ MY SEPARATE POST ON GARAGE SALES IN ARCHIVES.
4. PERFORM HOUSEHOLD SERVICES: You can earn some money informally by letting friends, family, church members and others in your community know that you are available to clean their houses or apartments. If you have a knack and stamina for cleaning quickly and thorougly, you can turn this into a regular, reliable way to earn extra money.
5. HAVE A BAKE SALE: Do you have a particular recipe for a delish cookie or coffee treat? how about tasty breakfast burritos? Why not bring your items once a week to your job and sell them to co-workers and other business people in the vicinity? Wrap them in colorful plasticwrap, put them on a big serving platter or tray with the price visible on a card. That way there is no mistaking them for free. You may find that people start to anticipate your arrival with homemade goodies. The possibilities are endless here, we all know Martha started small with samples:)
6. SELL HOMEGROWN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: You don't have to have a farm to produce delicious, organic produce.(I have a friend who grows them on her patio in pots). By presenting your goods in an appealing way(save the plastic or cardboard produce containers from the grocery store and tie them with a distinctive ribbon or desktop printed label, you give them niche appeal, selling them much the same way as baked items, listed above.
7. DO GARDENING SERVICES: Mowing lawns is a perennial summer job for kids. If you have a mower, encourage your children to launch a business--or do it yourself. In addition you can also weed or haul gardening rubbish to the dump(often garbage services won't remove it.)
8. DOG WALK AND PET SIT: Owners are always looking for reliable pet-care services. Plus if you stay home with your kids during the day, a regular dog-walking gig is a great way to get everyone out of the house for some fresh air and earn extra money. Print up a flyer to leave at pounds, the ASPCA and local veterinarians. Be prepared to provide references from anyone you have ever sat for before. Remember these pets are much loved by their owners. You have a responsibility to provide them with a safe and caring person, that's you. Only consider this job if you are an animal lover and dependable.
9. BABYSIT: To provide regular childcare in your home, you'll often need to be accredited and registered with the state. But occasional babysitting in your home or someone else's is more straightforward. You might already babysit for friends for free, but by reaching out in your community you can find parents whom you would feel comfortable charging a reasonable fee--such as those belonging to common churches, PTA's or playgroups. Depending on your schedule, you can position yourself as a last-minute resource, a Saturday sitter while Mom does errands, date-night sitter and so on.
10. RENT OUT GARAGE SPACE: This option has been a very successful one based on feedback. How many of you park your cars in the driveway because your garage is cluttered? (Hint: have that overdue Garage Sale) and advertise for the garage rental at the same time). Make sure you have several well placed notices about the rental and you can sometimes use small circulars that offer free ad space. Insist on references though, be specific about what you will allow stored and have it in writing, signed and notarized. Be sure to include that the owner provides you with a photo i.d. and don't forget those references.

All the above are sure ways to follow the dollars into your wallet.