Table of Contents
Preparing for a garage sale involves a combination of organization, planning, and attention to detail. Not only does it provide an opportunity to declutter your home or get you ready for your next move, but it also gives you a chance to make some extra cash and connect with your community. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get ready for a successful garage sale:
1) Check Local Regulations
Before you start organizing, check with your local municipality for any permits or regulations related to garage sales. Different cities have different rules for garage sales. Some areas require a permit, or limit the number of items you can have, restrictions on signage, or even treat your sale like a small business. Be sure to triple-check that you’re following the local regulations or find an area where you can host a sale without any issues.
2) Set a Date
Choose a date for your garage sale, preferably on a weekend when more people are available to shop. Check the local calendar for community events, city wide sales, and avoid major holidays. Picking a date a few weeks or even a month out can be beneficial for organizing and promoting. Two days are typically better than one!
3) Declutter and Organize
Go through every room in your home and identify items you no longer need. Be ruthless in decluttering! Think about whether you’ve used an item in the past year or not. Organize items into categories for easy pricing and display. If you have a lot of clothes for sale, make sure they are clean. Then organize them by size and type. Separate women’s clothing, men’s clothing, and children’s clothing, and lay them out according to styles. You may want to hang up blouses and shirts together and even make signs listing sizes for the convenience of the shopper. The more organized the better!
4) Gather Supplies
Collect all the necessary supplies, such as tables, clothing racks, hangers, price tags, markers, and bags for packaging purchases. Any sticker can work for a price tag, but sometimes they can stick too well, so if you’re in doubt about whether they will come off easily, try tie-on tags instead. Make sure you have enough for the items you plan to sell. Gather supplies needed to make garage sale signs or be sure to purchase some! Having enough supplies in advance will give you the opportunity to set it up early, take photos, and use the images for marketing if you choose to make a Facebook or other social media posts about what you will have at your garage sale!
5) Price Everything
Clearly label each item with a price tag whether that may be a sticker, a tie-on tag, or other signage referring to how much an item will cost. Another consideration is using color-coded stickers for different price ranges. Be reasonable with your pricing, and be prepared to negotiate. Chances are someone will try to negotiate for lower prices, so don’t panic when this happens! If you’re open to negotiating, you may be able to get away with raising the starting price a little bit and establishing a minimum price you will take for the item. The more hours and days your sale goes on for, the more you should be willing to negotiate on taking lower prices or make deals to get rid of items. Another tip would be to make a master list of items and their prices for reference so you’re confident in what you’re asking for.
6) Types of Payments
If you really want to make a customer happy, accept all forms of payment! Including cash, checks, and electronic payments which can include Venmo, Paypal, Apple Pay or Cash App. This is beneficial for both your shoppers and you, as it’s easier to send money straight from an account than having to keep track of cash and exact change. There are a few ways to track credit card transactions such as Square or Clover. Square is super easy to set up and can be used for multiple things other than just the sale. There is just a small percentage that Square takes from each transaction. Ensure that you have enough small bills and coins to make change for your customers. A cash box or fanny pack are great options to have to help you keep your money secure and organized.
7) Signage and Advertising
Advertise your garage sale through various channels. Utilize local community bulletin boards, social media platforms, and consider placing an ad in local newspapers. Ideas for online social media platforms: sharing to personal social media pages, find other Garage Sale groups or “For Sale” groups within your community. Clearly state the date, time, and address and attach photos if you choose.
8) Post-Garage Sale Plan
As your garage sale comes to a close, be ready to offer discounts or deals to clear out remaining, unsold items. Consider donating them to a local charity or arranging for a bulk pickup to avoid bringing clutter back into your home. Pack away your tables, shelves, and left over stickers or price tags in a spot handy, ready to use for the next garage sale you choose to have! If you are relocating, having a post garage sale plan is essential to make your next move a breeze! Our most recent blog How to Pack and Load a Moving Truck like a Pro can further assist you in loading your remaining garage sale belongings into a truck for safe transportation. Check out this blog if you need tips on unloading your moving truck.
By following these steps, you will be well-prepared to organize a successful garage sale that not only helps you declutter but also provides a positive shopping experience for buyers. Having a plan in place for the remaining belongings after the garage sale will make the clean up process go much smoother. Good luck taking on your next garage sale!