Garage Sale Checklist

Garage Sale Checklist
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Before you put your home on the market, you should do a thoughtful and thorough "cleanup". This will help put your property in it's best "showing" condition. Making money with a garage sale is a a great way to justify the time invested in a good sort through old "stuff" that you really don't need anymore! Indeed, a garage sale every couple of years is a good way to keep your property uncluttered. Here are some tips for a successful garage sale.

Planning

Set a weekend date for maximum traffic

Avoid a long weekend (many people are away)

Contact your family, friends, and neighbours to see if they want to join you in the garage sale. A "street sale" will help get attention.

Take two or three weeks to plan and organize

Set an alternate date (in the event of rain)

Set a specific time (e.g. 9:00 AM)

Look For Things to Sell

Throughout the year, place things in your "designated garage sale closet"

Do a thorough spring cleaning

Check your attic, basement, closets, garage, and other storage areas for items that you no longer need or use. DON'T TAKE THEM TO THE COTTAGE!

Make a special trip to the cottage to grab the things that never should have gone there in the first place!

Ask your friends and relatives if they have any items they no longer want or need.

Children's clothes, toys, books, antiques, small appliances, and furniture usually sell well

Advertise

Place a classified ad in your local newspaper

I'll advertise your garage sale on this web site! Send an email to the above address.

Put up posters at the local laundromat, grocery store, or other community bulletin boards

List key items that may attract customers

Specify a "rain date" if you wish

Put up signs at strategic street corners on the day of your sale to direct customers to your location.

Price Your Items Appropriately

Be realistic. Check out other garage sales to get a feel for reasonable prices.

Start pricing at no more than 30% of retail

Be prepared to bargain with your customers or reduce the price

Label all items with self-adhesive price tags

Use different colour labels for each family if more than one family is involved in the sale. Keep a log of all items sold according to your colour codes.

Set Up Your Items For Display

Make sure that all items are clean and in good shape
Arrange display tables for easy access and viewing. Make the displays attractive and interesting.
Group similar items together in one area
Hang up clothes in a rack and sort by size
Provide an electrical outlet for customers to test appliances and electrical tools
Display books, CD's, videos, and record albums with spine up for easy readability
Set up a "freebies" box for items you wish to give away

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