Tips for a Successful Garage Sale
 Thinking about having a garage sale? Having a garage sale is a great way to clear out some space in and around the home, while making a little extra cash. But, how can a garage sale be a guaranteed success? Here are ten tips from Rikens Online to ensure that your next garage sale is a huge success.
1. Consider Having a Group Garage Sale
Group garage sales often draw more shoppers than a solo garage sale, especially if the garage sale is in a remote area. A group garage sale can also be less time consuming or stressful, as the duties of pricing the goods, setting them out, and overseeing the garage sale can be shared amongst the participants.
2. Avoid Holidays or other Events
To have a successful garage sale, there needs to be customers. On holidays or weekends with special events or festivities, people are less likely to be out and about shopping at garage sales.
3. Offer a Variety of Goods
The more variety at a garage sale, the better. Many collectors scour garage sales looking for special items, so it is a good idea to even have single items that may have originally come from a set, such as a dish or a glass, for sale.
4. Spend Time on the Appearance
A garage sale that is arranged neatly and organized into groups is more likely to be successful. All items should be clean and free of dust, as well. The best types of tables for displaying goods are long and narrow, which allow more people to view the goods at one time.
Also, some of the best merchandise should be placed near the road. Customers are more likely to stop when they see big-ticket items, such as electronics, furniture and lawn equipment on display. At the same time, fragile items should be placed on tables in the back to avoid being broken.
5. Comparison Shop
Garage sale shoppers tend to be bargain hunters. If possible, display ads showing the current market value of items for sale in the garage sale. If ads aren’t available, placing a card next to the item showing the retail value can help inspire the bargain-conscious to make a purchase.
6. Advertise
A garage sale filled with fantastic items will still be unsuccessful if no one knows about it. Be sure to advertise the garage sale in local papers. If possible, also advertise with fliers and signs.
Also, placing signs on side streets with arrows pointing in the direction of the garage sale, coupled with colorful balloons tied to the mailbox or another outside structure, will help customers locate the garage sale.
7. Be Prepared with Change
Lots of change will need to be made at the garage sale. It is important to be prepared with many coins and dollars – and even a calculator – in order to facilitate purchases.
Some customers might request a receipt, as well, so it is good to have a receipt book on hand. Furthermore, for protection, it is never a good idea to accept checks and a sign should be posted stating that all sales are final.
8. Have an Electrical source Available
Having an available electrical source is especially important when selling electrical items. This way, customers can test the goods before making a purchase.
9. Be Ready to Haggle
Many garage sale customers enjoy haggling prices. It is important to be firm on prices or to be prepared ahead of time on the lowest acceptable price for items.
At the same time, don’t be a high pressure salesperson. Instead, just be available to answer questions a customer might have.
10. Be Ready for an Early Morning
Many garage sale customers get up very early in the morning. If you say your sale starts at 8am, be prepared for people to arrive at 7.30 when you are still setting up.
Perhaps you could start setting up a little bit earlier to ensure you have your best items out when the early birds arrive. People who arrive early are usually the dealers who buy and sell second hand goods for a living.
They like to haggle to get a rock bottom price. Don’t go too low as there is a good chance somebody who will come later is willing to pay the price you want.
This article is courtesy of  Rikens Online Furniture Shop |