This entry was posted on Monday, May 17th, 2010 at 11:32 AM and is filed under Home Staging Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
If you are feeling a little overwhelmed with how much stuff you have (like I have been the past year), the best way to alleviate that feeling is to host a garage sale. I’ve been apart of the garage sale “club” my whole life. This is where my mom, grandma, cousins and aunties found and sold their “treasures”. I’d like to offer some tips on how to host a successful sale.
Planning and organization are key to a successful sale. Plan your sale on a nice warm day, most people don’t wants to shop on a cold or rainy day. In Calgary, Fridays and Saturdays are the most popular days. Prepare ads in community postings (this can be print, online or both) so people know your sale is coming up. Plan how many signs you need and prepare eye catching signage. Pre-planning placement is important as it will determine which way the arrows go. We use neon pink paper for our signs (I know the colour is really 80s but it works!) with the words “GARAGE SALE” and an arrow stenciled in. The arrow is the most important part of your sign so make sure it is visible.
Now it is time to price your items. A good rule is 30-50% of what you originally paid depending on it’s condition. Be prepared for people to bargain with you. They may offer half of the price you set, don’t be offended, this is garage sale culture. Bargain with them until you come up with a price you both can agree on. If you can’t come up with a mutual price, don’t stress it, someone else may come along later.
Gather a good variety coins and small bills for change. In Canada, most people will have $20 bills so make sure you will be able to give them change for that TV priced at $75 and that candle priced at $1.
Prepare snacks and drinks ahead of time, you may not have time for breakfast/lunch/supper and drink plenty of water. Apply sunscreen – even on a cloudy day you can still burn.
On the day of the sale, make sure everything is set up and someone is ready to sell. Then send another helper to set up the signs. Don’t set up the signs if you aren’t there or not set up or you will have people arriving at your house before you are ready.
Garage sales are not only a good way to get rid of some unwanted stuff, but a great way to meet your neighbours. Good luck and have fun!
