Rather than discarding what you may no longer use or
want, try selling it at a garage sale. A garage sale can
be a profitable and fun way to make sure items are reused.
The following are some tried-and-true tips for a
successful sale:
Make sure that the date will not conflict with holidays or
special events that compete for attendance. Weekends are
more successful than weekdays.
Check with your friends, relatives, and neighbours to see
if they would like to join you or if they have anything
for you to sell on their behalf. More people means less
work and more items means more shoppers. Sharing on
advertising costs increases your profit margin, too.
Appliances, furniture, toys, tools, dishes, and other such
practical household items are popular. Records are also
good sellers. Clothing does not usually have a high resale
value, although kids' clothing is the exception. Arrange
kids' clothing by size, and label each item. Clean
everything. Make sure your items are working. If not,
label them as such. For specialty items, include important
information on labels. If you have items that you do not
think would sell, have a FREE BOX. You'd be surprised what
people will take and find uses for.
Include the date, time (start early as most sales end by 1pm or 2pm),
address and list some of the more desirable and unique
items. If you don't want early birds, include that in your
ad but expect them anyway. If you are hosting the sale
with others, split the advertising cost and remember to
advertise the number of households participating in the
sale.
Use the blank side of coloured scrap paper for posters.
You can download Free Posters
HERE. Use large letters
and write clearly. Place posters on bulletin boards in
grocery stores, libraries, and other public places if you
can.
Make sure the signs you make are large, clear and, if
possible, waterproof. Use well made, creative signs
because they will attract more buyers. Remember, the bream
bay trader will provide FREE online garage sale
kits. You should have enough signs to place at
the intersection closest to your house, in front of your
house and on the main streets near your house. Always
include the date, time, and address on the signs.
Make signs for goods displayed at your sale. For
example, "Housewares", "Kids' Clothes", "Giftware", etc.
Make a sign that reads "Reduced Prices". You can post this
halfway through your sale.
Have a contingency plan for wet weather. Consider putting
up tarps or holding your sale under cover.
Don't price your items too low initially, because people
will bargain with you. Put prices on everything using
masking tape or removable stickers. This saves you from
inventing prices on the spot and eliminates the need for
everyone to ask you for prices. If many people are selling
their goods, use different coloured tags (or different
coloured dots on masking tape) and record sales by colour
so you can correctly divide the money at the end of the
day. Have lots of change and small notes on hand.
Invite friends or neighbours the night before for a
preview sale. If you have a street sale with your
neighbours, have a BBQ afterward. At your sale, sell
cookies and coffee. This will encourage people to stay
longer, socialize, and have a better opportunity to look
at your wares.
Expect early birds. Clear all paths and move any car (s)
out of the driveway. Set up some tables the night before
and carry them out first thing in the morning. Display
your goods in an attractive way on tables, boxes, or even
the front lawn. For example, reuse coloured cardboard to
display jewellery, and then attach the cardboard to a
bulletin board. Group similar items together. If you are
selling clothes, place them on hangers to display on your
fence or a coat rack. Have an electric outlet or extension
cord accessible if you are selling electronic items. This
enables potential buyers to test the items before they
buy. Cover any items you do not want to sell with old
sheets or move them out of sight. This helps prevent
potential theft and stops people from trying to buy your
lawnmower or garden tools.
Offer laundry hampers as shopping baskets. This allows
shoppers the luxury of browsing without dropping their
armful of goodies. Have extra shopping bags and boxes
available for shoppers who purchase numerous items. Keep
the money with you at all times. Use an apron with pockets
or have one person dedicated to handling cash. Remember to
lock your house.
Be flexible and accept reasonable offers. Consider
throwing in related token items, and post the "Reduced
Prices" sign at lunchtime.
At the end of your sale, take down all signs and posters.
If you have useful items remaining, donate them to a
charity such as
Waipu Opportunity Shop. Old House, Waipu next to the
Monuments.
Phone: 432 0039 Open 10am - 4pm Monday to Friday
or
Scavengers Kepa Road in Ruakaka Tues - Fri 10.30am -
3.30pm
Phone: 433 0252
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