Garage Sale Tips

Making Money Being a Garage Sale Organizer

Greg is one of those executives who has everything, a nice home, a fancy car and the right job that many people envy. Even with the fame, many consider this individual to be down to earth since there is always time spent with family, neighbors and friends.

One of the things that Greg loves to do when there is time is having a garage sale. This isn’t done in the home but in the residences of other people. The professional plans this carefully so that the client can get rid of the items and make a decent profit.

This talent for making the event happen just came by chance. After having done this at home and helping a friend get rid of some old stuff, other people who have no idea what to do asked for help and the rest is history.

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Those who want to become a garage sale organizer don’t have to go to college or earn a certificate. Getting involved takes a bit of practice and experience since many unexpected things can happen.

Some who do this advise others on having a garage sale at home. This will take weeks to plan, advertise and execute in order for it to be successful but this all pays off in the end.

One of the most important things to do before it starts is pricing. If the items are too expensive, there must be some leniency so they can be purchased by a customer and some money can be made.

The first thing a specialist should do is talk with the homeowner. A level of trust should be established so that a good working relationship can develop. Some of the things that need to be discussed are the date, time and place as well an assessment of the items for sale.

Advertising, inventory and pricing should be discussed so that the resident is aware of the progress of the garage sale. The person should stay until it is over to assess the remaining goods and how to deal with them.

If the event is successful, other people will surely take notice and then perhaps ask for some assistance organizing the same thing. The organizer should charge a small fee for the work done so that the services can also be referred to relatives, friends and neighbors for more business.

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Ebay Garage Sale Tips

Ebay can be a great way to earn supplemental income as a stay at home mom. Nowadays, you can do everything from your home; list items, gather postage materials, have packages picked up by the post office. All that remains is acquiring items to sell!

A very common source of eBay items is local garage sales. Often, sellers simply do not know how much their items are worth. Either that, or they do not want to take the time to set up an eBay account and sell themselves.

The opportunities are there for the taking. But there are some methods of shopping garage sales for eBay finds that will make your profits soar.

Don’t mention eBay

The cardinal rule in garage sale, yard sale, or estate sale eBay hunting is to never mention the word eBay. If you have small children with you, make sure they understand this as well.

If you go into a garage sale and get chatty with the seller, telling him or her what you intend to do with their items, suddenly the items are more valuable to them. If a seller thinks you are going to resell the stuff to someone else, then they figure they are not charging enough!

Buyers who scream eBay are more likely to be given higher prices, with less chance of bartering a better price. Your best option is to remain nonchalant about the entire transaction, and if asked what you are going to do with an item, lie.

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Yes, you heard me. Lie. Keep your kids home with daddy if you are concerned that they will witness this, but whatever you do, don’t tell the sellers you’re going to resell it!

The only reason you would ever tell someone that you sell on eBay at a garage sale is if they have some high quality, high priced item that you cannot afford. You may decide to offer them your services as a trading assistant.

Dress casually

When going garage saling, you want to make sure you blend in completely. Leave your designer clothes, purses and shoes at home. Drive the work truck instead of your new hybrid.

Look like you’re poor. Wear exercise outfits, old t-shirts, dirty tennis shoes. Your goal is to psychologically tell the seller that you cannot afford an item.

This may seem silly, but the next time you go to a garage sale, hang out for a few minutes and look at the other customers. You’ll find that prices are higher for well dressed people.

Group your items

If you are at a really good garage sale, and want to buy several items, ask the seller how much each item costs as you become interested in it. Then, if the price is reasonable, put it in a pile and do not say a word to the seller. Simply put the item in a pile and continue to scout the sale.

After you have completed your perusal of the sale, make one offer for all the items you have in your pile. This way, if you are lowballing the seller somewhat, he doesn’t know which item is the one he is offering the biggest discount for.

For example, let’s say that the seller is emotionally attached to a bowling ball. Note: you would never want to sell a bowling ball on eBay; it’s too heavy; this is for example purposes only. So he’s attached to the bowling ball and wants .

You want the bowling ball, 10 articles of clothing at each, and a pair of snow skies for . You make one offer of for everything. The seller, who was firm at for his emotionally attached bowling ball, can justify to himself that he gave you the remaining items for only .

This way, everyone wins! Garage sales can be a fun way to find merchandise to resell on eBay if you know the right tips. Happy shopping!

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10 Things That Won’t Sell at a Garage Sale

A common thought process when it comes to hosting a garage sale is to put everything you have in the sale, and maybe it will sell. There is some logic to this, but it can also reduce your profits. So how can having more items reduce profits? Reduced profits occur because customers can’t find what they are actually willing to pay for among all of the useless junk. Here are some things that you shouldn’t even attempt to sell at a garage sale. Magazines and Newspapers You might be wondering what the harm is in trying to sell some of your old newspapers or magazines. The problem is nobody wants them. You will only succeed in adding to the clutter and distracting potential buyers from what they actually want. Undergarments It should be obvious to everyone that if you try to sell your undergarments, it should be. Unfortunately it’s not. You will only disgust your visitors by displaying your used unmentionables. Even if they have never been used, it won’t make a difference.

They could still be in the package for that matter. Broken or Dangerous Toys Don’t try to sell your broken or dangerous toys. This will be seen almost as an attack on your neighbors. You don’t want someone else to get hurt from a toy that you sold them, so don’t do it. No one will buy them, and you will lose potential customers this way. Used Health and Beauty Products Some people will try to sell half used bottles of shampoo or hand sanitizer. The first thing that will come to mind when a customer sees this is, “What’s wrong with this?” You are selling this stuff for a reason, and someone doesn’t just sell their shampoo unless they never want to use it again. Chemicals You really shouldn’t try to sell any kind of chemicals at your garage sale.

This can be anything from Bleach to Turpentine. Garage sales are usually a haven for children, and you don’t want it potentially hazardous. This will drive the money frivolous children away because you will drive their parents away. Food People don’t go to a garage sale to do their grocery shopping, so don’t insult them by putting the food you don’t want up for sale. Give it to the needy. It will do more good this way and it is a tax write off. This isn’t to say that you can’t have a lemonade stand or a stand with some fresh pastries. Selling homemade snacks is different from selling old canned goods. Medicine Medicine will not sell, and can actually get you in trouble with the law. Some people think it is a good idea to unload some of their old unused prescriptions at a garage sale. This is dealing drugs, not only will you drive your customers away, you could get arrested. Garbage Some people hang on to almost everything.

If you have been hoarding empty milk cartons and you think that it is time to get rid of some of them, just recycle them. It is highly doubtful that anyone would even give you a penny for these. Anything that could be considered garbage should be treated the same way. Old Worn Shoes Some shoes will sell at a garage sale, but they have to be in good condition. If you shoes are not suitable for you to wear, don’t expect other people to pay for them. If they are in good condition, they may sell, but not otherwise. Used Cleaning Supplies No one is going to want to buy your old mops, brooms, and rags from you so don’t bother to try and sell them. These items are not that expensive at a retail store and people expect these items to be in good condition when they buy them. They just don’t sell well at garage sales. Al most everything has a chance of selling at a garage sale, but you have to ask yourself if you are willing to detract from your more profitable items by displaying junk that you probably won’t sell. By setting these items aside, and focusing on the big ticket items, you will bring in much more money with your garage sale.

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Selling Clothes in a Garage Sale, How Do you Do It?

If you have a clothes and it seems almost close to bursting because of the number of clothes that are occupying it, yet are rarely worn, do not fret. There is a solution to your problem: sell clothes in a garage sale! How?

Clean, clean, clean

First things first, make sure that you clean thoroughly any and all clothes out of your closet. Take note, these clothes are those that have been worn once in one year, or even less or probably never.

Also, take out any clothes that have been stained or worn out and place them in a trash bag. Meanwhile, shoes, clothes and any accessories that are still in good condition and are somewhat still in fashion may be included in your garage sale. Any clothes from your kids may be best sorted by gender and size.

Wash and iron

Of course, clothes that are to be sold in a garage sale must best be washed and ironed first. They have to look as good as new, even if they aren’t. Place them on hangers as it also adds to the clothes sale-ability.

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Check out stores that re-sale items

It is best that you visit such stores in order for you to know what they put up for sale. Try to browse their racks and make yourself familiar with the kind of clothes they are carrying. See if their clothes fit with the kind of clothes you intend to offer for sale. Doing this helps save precious time in selling clothes in a store inappropriate to your kind of clothes.

Ask where the buyer is

Better yet, try to find out what time the buyer will be in and make an appointment. Also, see the maximum quantity of clothes you could bring in when you meet with the buyer.

Go to second-hand shops

Selling clothes that are casual in style may also be offered to shops that offer second hand goods. Normally, pay out is thirty to forty percent of the selling price.

Be your own seller

Nothing beats selling your own clothes to your customers via your own internet site. To be able to gather loyal customers, try to write accurate and clear descriptions of the clothes you intend to sell. Clear and colorful photos may be helpful.

All in all, you are your best bet to have a successful garage sale. Know what you have, know what you want, and know what you plan to do – and do it of course – when you put up a clothes garage sale. In the long run, you will reap the financial benefits, and probably more.

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Garage Sale Pricing – 5 Secrets to a Successful Garage Sale

So, you’ve been going through your basement or garage and can’t believe how much stuff you have just sitting around. That can mean only one thing’s it’s time for a garage sale!

Today, garage and yard sales are more popular than ever, but the secret to your success will be in garage sale pricing.

How many times have you been to a garage sale and just shook your head at some of the ridiculous prices you’ve seen for some items? Too many I’m sure! Pricing is why you can find several different yard sales going on in the same neighborhood, but one house may not sell much of anything, while another can’t keep up with the cash drawer.

How to set garage sale pricing.

1. What is your purpose in having the garage sale?

If you simply want to clear out the basement or get rid of old clothes you no longer wear, then price the items accordingly.

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Sell the clothes for $ .50 or .00 if they are in good shape. Toys can go for $ .50 and if a family is buying several items, throw in a couple for free.

2. Garage sale pricing for valuables

When selling big ticket items you’ll need to consider if the value is a personal judgment or whether it is monetary. In other words, take your personal connection to the item out of your pricing strategy.

3. Visit other garage sales

If you are stuck on what you think prices should be, visit some other sales and observe their prices and whether things are selling or not. You can learn a lot from just watching what is going on around you.

4. Put it on eBay

You may have some items which would be better to list online at eBay than it would be to put them in a yard sale. Higher ticket items that are over 0 – 0 are a good example.

Most people are buying from a garage sale to find useful items at cheap prices. They usually don’t spend over 0, although there are certainly exceptions.

5. Negotiate

This is an important tip. Leave your items that are a little more costly some room for negotiation.

Many folks love to haggle and bargain down the price. It makes them feel great and they buy every time. Use this to your advantage by leaving some extra room in the price. So, you have a price and someone offers . They don’t know it, but is what you really wanted anyway. It’s a win-win situation.

Take your time and carefully consider your garage sale pricing strategy. It will make all the difference in having a successful sale.

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Garage Sale Tips: How to Make your Garage Sale a Success

If your home is full of items that you don’t necessarily need anymore, why not have a garage sale? Not only do you get to free your home from clutter but you can earn as well. For those who will be doing this for the first time, here are some that can help you out to make it a successful one.

The first among the that you should keep in mind is to ask your family or friends to help you out. This way you can attract more buyers to your yard especially when there are lots of items up for grabs. Also, you can accommodate each one of your customers and besides, it is more fun to do when you have someone to back you up.

The second sales that you should follow is to price your items right. This is quite easy especially when you have similar items to sell. For example, you will be selling paperback novels; you can just place a tag indicating that their price is $ .50 each. It would also be easier to make use of quarter dollar pricing for your garage sale items. For items that are in good working condition, consider one-fifth of its original price and if they are slightly used, you can price one-third of its original value.

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Another that will come in handy is the “Buy One Get One” theme. Anyone enjoys this promotional offer especially on sales which means you can apply it to your garage sale to attract more people. The more interesting the freebies they can get the more items they will tend to buy so keep this tip in mind when you plan on having a garage sale.

The fourth that you should do is to clean and fix your items. No one wants to buy things that are dirty or broken so make sure that you spare some time in making them look brand new. This will help catch your customers’ attention and they will more eager to browse through your items.

Advertising is the fifth that should be remembered. If you want to reach more potential buyers give away flyers indicating where it will be held, the time, landmark if any, what you will be selling as well as brand names.

And last is placing your signage properly. You should always bear in mind that if you will be putting up signage for your garage sale be sure to place them in areas where lots of people pass by. You should also make use of sturdy materials so it won’t be blown away or get torn due to high winds.

Following these can definitely make your yard sale into a success and who knows, you might even enjoy doing it on a regular basis. Just keep these tips in mind and you will find that your customers will be coming back for more.

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Top Ten Best Selling Garage Sale Items

“Is this thing going to sell?” This is a common question that runs through the heads of many purveyors of yards sales around the world as they stare at their old junk. Your junk could be another person’s gold. You will be surprised what will sell, and could be even more surprised at what will not sell. It is important to realize what your big ticket items will be before the sale so you can price them accordingly. Kid’s Toys Children’s toys are great garage sale fodder. Any frugal parent will be willing to pay a couple of dollars for a slightly used baby toy rather than pay retail price for it. They will be saving a lot of money. But remember, safety is more important than money. Don’t try to sell any broken or dangerous items. You should also clean your kid’s toys so they have that fresh from the store shine. If a toy is dirty, it can look like a germ bomb. No parent will want to risk infecting their child, so cleaning the toys is a must. Electronics This might seem obvious, but electronics sell very well at garage sales. You can even sell older electronics. You never know who might be in the mood for a vintage 8-track or record player. These are sometimes seen as rare and highly sought after commodities. Don’t undercut yourself when you put them up for sale.

Multimedia Equipment CDs, DVDs, and Video Games are very sellable items at garage sales. The problem that most people fall into is that they tend to overprice them. You wouldn’t be able to sell these for very much online or at a resale shop, so don’t try to here. If you keep the prices relatively low, you should see some decent sales. Appliances You might be surprised to learn that large appliances will sell fairly well.If you have a working dishwasher, fridge or dryer, it is not unheard of to get for an old appliance. If nothing else, these large objects will definitely attract some potential customers. It is kind of hard to miss a fridge in someone’s driveway. Clean Baby Clothes Baby clothes are very expensive, so who wouldn’t want to save some money on clothes that the baby will just grow out of in a month? Just make sure that the clothes are clean and free of stains and holes. Anything that makes the clothing look less than new will discourage customers from buying. Tools Tools sell very well.

People who are in the market for tools don’t usually care whether or not the tools are clean, and if they are still in working order, they will do the job.If you have some tools that are lying around unused, or you just need to clear some space, this could make you a lot of money. Books Books are another good seller, but hardcover books sell much better than soft cover ones do. This is because the wear and tear is much less visible on hardcover books. They stay looking like new for a very long time, while the others age poorly. This is not to say that you can’t sell soft cover books. Just don’t charge very much for them. Furniture If you have some old wooden furniture that you need to get rid of, a garage sale is a good place to start. Selling furniture at a garage sale has the same effect that selling appliances do. If you sell them, great, if not you will attract some curious customers. Music Equipment An old guitar, drum set, or even a flute are all things that you don’t generally see at your average garage sale.

If you are looking to get rid of some of your musical instruments, they will sell well at a garage sale. New musical instruments are very expensive. As long as the instruments you are selling are clean and in working order, you have a good chance of selling them. Anything Rare If you have something interesting, or rare, put it up for sale. You never know when a collector might stop by. Garage sales are usually haunts for collectors. Just make sure that you can’t get more for these items using other means. Usually you can sell stuff like this online for a lot of money. Don’t cut yourself short. There are more things that will sell at a garage sale, but it really depends on your clientele. Your garage sale will be more profitable by properly organizing and pricing your wares. Preparation is the key when you are trying to make a lot of money from a garage sale. If you customers can’t find their way around, they won’t find what they are looking for.

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Displaying your Garage Sale Items for Maximum Visibility

It is important that you display your garage sale items presentably so that they can catch the attention of your buyers. For maximum visibility of the items, make sure that your garage is large and wide enough. In this way, you can assure yourself that each item is displayed properly and orderly. Here are some tips on how you can display your garage sale items for maximum visibility to customers.

1. You should clean the items that you will display in your garage sale. Make sure that items are scrubbed, polished and washed before you display them. They may attract buyers if items are clean and when they look brand new.

2. Make sure that you allot parking space for those who drop by on your garage sale. You may create a large poster inviting people to come in and look for low priced second hand items.

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3. You may place your items on tables so that they can be easily seen. Separate items according to their categories. You may categorize personal items such as shirts, pants, shorts, caps, and shoes. In this way, customers can easily find the items they want.

4. It is better if you have an organized display plan on the items. You may not want your customers to waste their time in finding the item on piles of boxes and bags.

5. You may use a masking tape to mark and write the items price. You may write the discount you will give to the customer on the item that is displayed. You may offer a to on special items like collectibles and other stuffs that may have a significant value on you.

6. You may ask for the help of friends to assist the customers on their search of their targeted item. Make sure that your sellers are able to locate each item in the garage sale. There can be customers that may not have the time to look around and search for the item that they need.

7. You may spread a large blanket on the lawn with a few toys. Kids are fond of toys. They may ask their parents to accompany them to look and check out the toy that is displayed.

Always remember to be cheerful and attentive to your customers. This is the best way you can attract and allow customers to look at the items displayed in your garage sale. With these tips, you can be assured of a successful garage sale.

How to Find Items to Sell on Ebay at Garage Sales

We have changed our clocks, baseball has started, so that can only mean one thing – its spring garage sale time. If you haven’t tried garage sales for finding merchandise to sell on eBay, maybe you should explore this option.

There is a strategy for getting the most out of your garage sale shopping efforts. Here are a few tips to help you maximize your efforts, and minimize your time investment.

1) Plan ahead. Go to craigslist.org to look for garage sale ads in your area. More and more people are relying on craigslist for free advertising. Garage sales usually start on Fridays, and the posts on craiglist start appearing on Tuesdays. Check daily for new posts, and keep a list of sales in your area. You can also look at your local newspaper’s website for garage sale ads. The big neighborhoods will usually advertise there. You can find a lot of items quickly if you go to the neighborhood sales, versus sales scattered around town.

2) Go to sales in the affluent parts of town. First, they will have better items. Second, you have no idea of a person’s financial situation and they may be having a garage sale to pay bills.

3) Go early. Most garage sales will start at 8 AM. Arrive early to get the best selection. The earlier in the day you start the better chance you have of finding “good” stuff.

4) Take plenty of cash. You don’t want to have to take valuable time convincing the seller to take your check. Most people have a garage sale for one reason – to make money. They don’t want checks – they want cold, hard, cash.

5) Be prepared. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Take bottled water. Keep snacks in the car. Bring your cell phone in case you find something you are unsure about, you can call your spouse or a friend for their opinion.

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6) Don’t be afraid to bargain or make offers. People have garage sales to get rid of stuff. They don’t want to have to haul it all back in the house at the end of the day. Make reasonable offers and be fair.

7) Use the “cash in hand” technique. I do this all the time. Say for example I find something for , and think it is overpriced. I inconspicuously take a bill out of my pocket and walk up to the seller. Then, with the bill in plain view, I say, “Hi, I am interested in that item over there. I only have left, would you take that?” Seeing the cash, the seller usually takes it. The idea is to be reasonable. The later in the day that you use this technique, the better it works.

I have some interesting stories about garage sales. I went to a huge neighborhood sale in my community last fall. The woman had all kinds of men’s items – really nice clothing, shoes, golf equipment, sporting goods, and “guy stuff.” I found a really nice pair of Justin lizard skin boots, barely worn, for . (These boots retail for about 0.) That was an amazing find. So, I went to pay for the item, and the woman started telling me how she and her husband had a fight and he left town on a hunting trip for a week. She was having a garage sale and getting rid of all his stuff that she didn’t like. I asked, “He isn’t going to track me down and get me, is he?” She just laughed, and said, “Probably not. I might sell his car, too.” Those boots ended up selling for and were shipped to Germany.

You might be wondering what to look for at garage sales. Here are some examples of what I have found, and how much the items sold for on eBay.

1) George Forman grill new in box , , sold for 2) Hooked on Phonics set, excellent used condition, , sold for 3) Mary Kay cosmetics, various items new in boxes, paid each, sold for about each (the lady was a Mary Kay rep getting rid of inventory) 4) Oscar de la Renta wool blazer new with tag, , sold for 5) Wagner wallpaper remover steamer new in box, , sold for 6) Dr. Martens shoes, gently worn, , sold for 7) Pampered Chef apple corer/peeler, used with box, , sold for Men’s Nike Shox shoes, gently worn, , sold for 9) Yankee 20 oz jar candle, barely used (was lit once and the person didn’t like the scent), , sold for 10) Lexmark printer ink cartridge, new in box, , sold for

Look for items new in the package or new in the box. Look for gently used designer apparel and shoes. So, you can see that garage sales are a great venue for finding items to sell. If you plan ahead, you can get a lot accomplished in one day.

Learn more about selling on eBay

Visit my blog for more eBay selling information.

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Increase Your Garage Sale Profits

Garage sales are enjoyable.  Plan yours effectively and you’ll be confident of a good time as well as a profitable sale.

It’s a fun way to come up with some cash. These let people to free themselves of things they don’t use. There could be some things available that the homeowners acquired but have never got around to using.

By running these sales, the householders could also free up their houses of unwanted stack of items. As a result, they can place outdated and rarely used clothing, baggage, shoes and boots, accessories and electronic devices out available for sale so others may use them. The flip-style kitchen tables will likely then function as a great place to arranged every item for exhibit for the potential customers.

 The are the ideal spot to catch a great deal, and they’re also of any excellent place for anyone searching for Star Wars classic toys and figures.  Now classified advertising will not likely list the fact that a seller offers Star Wars figures as there’s only a little space within a classified ad, but nonetheless — if you’re a keen garage sale customer, it will be hard to not to find one or two instances of top-of-the-line Star Wars classic products during the entire garage sale time of year.

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You offer things you don’t use yet others purchase your things they’ve got no use for either. On the other hand, a lot of priceless art work has been discovered from the trash plus in garden sales, that’s not saying your corporate stamped pocket watches could be the next Patek Philippe that marketed for million bucks at Sotheby’s in Dec 1999.

Garage sales are usually indistinguishable from swap meets. Probably the most noticeable distinctions is swap meets are events of people, when garage sales are often made up of 1 to 2 vendors only. Buyers can discover a lot of deals on silver diamond jewelry, scrap yellow metal, and occasionally coins or other rare metal objects. Much like swap meets, anybody keeping the garage sale may have no clue regarding the true worth of their precious metal objects, enabling you to acquire some serious good deals.

Garage sales can be a incredible method of clearing oneself of life’s extra supplies. But there are actually tips to good results that, if not used, mean it will cost a long time relaxing in your garage, eliciting pity-stares from others who live nearby.

Garage sales are a fun way to start out to know about your collectors items you want to get. To get the very best deals, it is best that you make the sales a day prior to the start, if they start on Saturday , make your listing of people that are promoting collectibles and antiques on Friday.

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