Tag: Garage Sale

Last updated on: May 2024

Garage sales can be a treasure trove of unexpected finds. It's easy to get swept away by the thrill of the hunt and end up with a car full of things you don't actually need. A little bit of planning can make all the difference, turning your garage sale adventures into rewarding experiences.

As your friendly pro organizer, I'm here to help you shop smarter to avoid adding clutter. But who doesn't love a good bargain? Let's equip you with the tools to find those gems that truly enhance your life and make the most of those garage sale adventures.

10 Tips That Enhance Your Garage Sale Shopping Experience

1. Plan your route. Finding stellar deals at garage sales (or yard sales) takes some planning. Sometimes you can get lucky, but when you have a plan, the process can be fruitful and enjoyable.
   • Tip: create a Google Map (or whatever virtual GPS map you use) of all the places you wan to go and save it. Just type in the address, pin it and save that map to your favorites. When you are ready to start your drive, it will give you an estimate of how long the route will take and where to go next.
2. Be prepared. Here is a check list of things to get ready before you head out.
   • Make a list of things you are looking for.
   • Fuel up your car.
   • Arrive early, if possible.
   • Eat breakfast or bring snacks.
   • Bring water/hydrate.
   • Take batteries if you can (AAA, AA, A, C, D, etc).
   • Have cash (smaller bills and change if possible).
   • Bring bungee cords or a rope to hold down larger items.
   • Bring a measuring tape.
   • Bring tools to disassemble larger items.
3. Ask! Just because you don't see an item you are looking for, doesn't mean it isn't there. Ask the seller if they have what you are looking for.
4. Go back at the end of the day. If you are patient and willing to run the risk of something being sold AND you have the time, make another round at the end of the day when the sale is about to end. Chance are, you'll find some items for free.
5. Test it! This is one is very important. Hopefully, the seller has an extension cord and batteries for their electronics (if you are a seller, read this handy article “Garage Sale Tips: How to Make the Most out of Your Sale” on how to be prepared to sell your stuff). If the seller does not, then you are buying at your own risk.
6. Negotiate. Everything at a garage sale (yard sale) is open for negotiation (it's sort of an adopted rule), so feel free to ask for a different prize. Their goal is to get rid of their stuff and make money. Your goal is to buy an item at the lowest price. Never be afraid to ask!
7. Buy in bundles. Sellers are (almost) always willing to give you a better deal when you buy multiple items.
8. Pro tip: If you are buying a bigger item and also smaller items, buy the bigger item full price and then negotiate the smaller items. Chance are, you'll save in the long run by getting a really good deal on the smaller items.
9. Pro tip: an item is valuable if it has a purpose in your life. If it's just going to sit there, then it has no purpose (example of something having a purpose are: does it make you happy? will you use it? does it make a good gift? etc.)
10. Helpful questions to ask yourself:
    • Do I really need this?
    • Could this be a nice gift?
    • Can I resell it? and will I actually resell it?
    • Where will I put it?

Any other tips you'd add to the list? How often do you go to a garage sale?

Kindly, Stephanie

Want to work with us? We are available for 1:1 sessions or to speak with your group about multi-generational decluttering, sandwich generation organizing and finding the best solutions for your family as you downsize. Organize & Cherish Planning Calls

To join our weekly {free} email newsletter for all-things organizing & productivity delivered right to your inbox head over here https://theorganizedflamingo.com/quicklinks

Last updated on: April 2024

You find yourself in a cleaning and organizing spree and realize you have a lot of “stuff”. You are cleaning out your house, garage, shed, or helping a family member downsize and wondering what to do with all that “stuff” you don't need.

Usually, the first thing that comes to mind is “can I make money off of this item by selling it?” and sometimes the answer is “YES!”, but often times, the answer is more like “is it worth trying to sell it?” so you toss it in the trash.

Tossing it in the trash is probably the easiest way to get rid of it, and sometimes the best option to keep your sanity, but you have other options. One of those options is a garage sale (also referred as a yard sale, rummage sale, estate sale or flea market sale)

Garage Sales are a great way to try to get money back for some of your treasures and pass them on to someone else. This will help keep that “stuff” out of landfills and continue its use. After many, many, many years of putting garage sales of my own or for my communities, I put together a list of tips to help you make the best out of your garage sale.

Planning:

• Look for other neighbors that might want to do it with you. You can also look up community garage sales in your neighborhood.
• Advertise in your local newspaper, Craigslist, NextDoor, Facebook community pages, etc. (two days before the sale is the best time to advertise for your garage sale, but if you are having a bigger event or have the time, feel free to advertise as much as possible the weeks leading up to the sale).
• Check with your community about permits on hosting a garage sale (yard sale) and about where you can post signs. Some neighborhoods require permits and approvals from the city/county/HOA. Asking a neighbor or a quick internet search should help you answer that question.
• Clean/Dust your items! I cannot stress this enough. Having a clean item (even a semi-clean item) will be the difference between not selling it and selling it. First impressions do matter and a little dusting will go a long way.
• Plan ahead. I personally like to sort and organize my items the night before (sometimes even set up on the tables in my garage). Having your items ready the night before lets you ease into the morning without having to be in a rush to sort through everything the morning of.
• Set up your garage sale as close to the beginning of the month as possible. People tend to have a little bit more of that extra money to spend at the beginning of the month versus the end. Also, having it when you know there will be a lot of traffic around your neighborhood will help you get additional visitors (maybe the same weekend as a festival, concert, community event, etc.).
• If you can, try having tables. If you don't have any, some bricks and a hardy piece of wood can work, too. The closer the item is to the potential buyer, the better (less bending and more touching/connecting with the item).
• Make signs! They don't have to be fancy. The inside of a cardboard box flattened out works great. Write with some extra paint or a very thick marker, and you're all set. The key is to have good signage from the main road leading drivers to your garage sale (yard sale). Don't forget that drivers are driving, so they only have a second to see your sign. Make it BIG, BOLD and SIMPLE. “YARD SALE –> 123 Fast Lane 6/12 & 6/22 7am-2pm” is simple enough. (oh and check with your local municipality/HOA on what the rules/laws are with posting signs).

Pricing your items:

• Don't emotionally price items. This means, don't price an item just because it means a lot to you or you have had it for a long time. People shop for items because they have their own purpose for it and value in mind, your emotional attachment means very little to them. Ask a friend or do an internet search for what the items you are selling are going for and work down from there.
• Unlike flea markets, people that frequent garage sales don't really go there to barter as much, so price your items at the price point to sell.
• Get it appraised. If you think you have a valuable item (antique, item of value), get it appraised or sell it through a reputable auction house.
• Displaying the price or not? Well, that depends. This is a personal preference. It is said that things get sold much faster if there is a price tag on it, but if you like to barter, then feel free to not add prices to your items. You can either individually price all the items or group them together: “$1 table”, “$3 table”, etc. Just note that if you don't individually price items, people may move them around to different tables and you'll forget how much they were priced for originally.
• Bundle price items if you can! A great way to get your stuff sold quickly is to bundle. Maybe give them a bag to fill with clothes and charge $10 for the entire bag, instead of individually pricing each item.

Day of the garage sale (yard sale):

• Early birds. If your garage sale (yard sale) starts at 8:00 am, you'll almost always have someone arrive at 7:58 am. The professionals like to arrive early and scope out things. Don't be afraid to tell them to come back later but just know that if you say you are open at 8:00 am, people will be there at 8:00 am.
• Have change and small bills on hand. A good rule of thumb is having change for $50 (20 x $1's, 4 x $5's, $10 in change).
• The little things matter: adding a mirror around clothes and accessories, having batteries available for the items that require them and having an extension cord handy for items that need to be plugged in can go a long way and give you that quick sale.
• Have plenty of plastic bags and newspaper/tissue paper for those fragile items if you can. Don't go out and buy any, but if you have it handy, use them! It's so much easier to carry fragile items in bags and wrapping paper.
• Take pictures. Take the opportunity while your items are on display, to take pictures if you plan on selling it online after.
• BE SAFE! Take precautions such as closing and locking up all of your house doors when you are outside. Try doing it with a family member, a friend or a neighbor.
• Have a plan about what you are going to do with the items that are left over after your sale. Many charities will pick up your items for free, just reach out to a handful and ask. You can also sell some of your items online or even during your garage sale.

Most importantly, HAVE FUN! Enjoy the day being outside and earning a little extra cash for the items you once treasured. Hope these tips help you with your next garage sale (yard sale). Do you have any other tips? Comment below!

Kindly, Stephanie

Want to work with us? We are available for 1:1 sessions or to speak with your group about multi-generational decluttering, sandwich generation organizing and finding the best solutions for your family as you downsize. Organize & Cherish Planning Calls

To join our weekly {free} email newsletter for all-things organizing & productivity delivered right to your inbox head over here https://theorganizedflamingo.com/quicklinks