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Amber’s Home and Office Organizing Blog index

Deciding on a Garage Sale

What to Consider Before Hosting a Garage or Yard Sale

Spring will soon be arriving and with spring comes spring cleaning and with spring cleaning comes garage sales! My sister is chomping at the bit for the season to begin. She’s a garage sale addict. But what really makes a sale worth it? She has helped me gather the top five things to consider before committing to a sale. We all know the possible financial gain entices people to hold sales, but the work and weather factors always weigh in. So should you hold one or forgo it? Thinking through aspects of the preparation, planning, and sale day efforts will help you decide.

 

 

Split the Cost and the Work

Contemplate the work involved and team up with a friend, sibling, or neighbor to lessen the load. If you don’t have a lot of stuff, you can combine stuff and share the work. Advertising costs can be divided saving you some money. By working together on the sale day, it eases the stress and adds some fun visiting with friends or family members. Two families attract more buyers as well as doing a complete block or alley sale. Avid garage sale shoppers make sure to hit a whole block or multi family sale because it’s worth the drive and their time.

Consider what you’re selling

Several big ticket items could validate the sale. If all you have is paperback books, clothes, and outdated toys the cost isn’t worth the work. So take a good look at your inventory and determine how much it’s worth.  A quick search on Craig’s List or Ebay for your large items is worth the research before committing to a whole sale. It may be a good idea to ask decide what dollar amount would make a sale worth it. For some $200 is just fine; others don’t want to bother if they won’t make $800-$1,000. 

Theme Sales Target Certain Buyers

Holding a theme sale targets a small audience but they’ll be serious buyers. Theme sales surface from specific collections or interests in a seller’s home or life. For example, a business owner may be going out of business and offer to sell their inventory. If they had a pet store, it will be a pet theme. Moms with lots of kids, may hold a theme sale and advertise they are selling lots of kids clothes, games and toys. This theme will attract only moms, dads and perhaps grandparents. Theme sales may seem limiting but in some cases, it proves to be just the opposite. 

Location Matters

Take a few minutes to think about your neighborhood and neighbors. Are yard sales or garage sales common in your area and do they draw large crowds? Is your home near a busy intersection? Rural communities don’t draw big crowds. Consider taking big ticket items to a friend’s sale in the city or a consignment shop. Location does matter and can make or break a sale. 

Get the Word Out

If you’re not willing to make the effort with advertising, don’t expect a lucrative sale. Spend the money to advertise; it’s worth it. Advertise in your local neighborhood paper (Pioneer Press in Chicago) and don’t forget to use free advertising such as Twitter, Facebook and Craig’s List. On the day of the sale, use lots of balloons and bright signs. Get the kids involved with making the signs with paint, markers, and posterboard. Now you’re ready for a great day! 

 

 

 

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