The TV series “Hoarders” has turned out to be a surprising hit. Part of the interest is no doubt due to how bizarre the affliction of “hoarding” can become – some people are virtually trapped in their homes because they keep holding on to things they don’t need. However, the show is also a wake-up call for many of us who aren’t full-fledged hoarders but do recognize we have too much STUFF!
Garage sales are a great way to clean out a packed garage or attic and make space in a closet that’s now used as a catchall for odds and ends. Known by several other names including yard sale, attic sale or junk sale, this approach to getting rid of what you don’t want or need can put some extra money in your pocket for summer fun, too.
Things to consider before deciding on a garage sale
Do you have only a few items cluttering your life or are you overwhelmed with everything from boxes of old holiday decorations and not-played-with-for-years toys to excess books, dishes and more? Don’t underestimate the fact it can take many hours to prepare for and execute a large garage sale. So if you only have minimal stuff to clear out, it may be more practical to simply donate it to a charity or thrift store. You might also consider joining forces with a neighbor and combine your items into one joint sale.
If a garage sale is in your future, do contact your local government to see if there are special permits or restrictions in your area. Usually, there aren’t any but some cities (including Beverly Hills, California; Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and Bessemer City, North Carolina) require homeowners to pay a small fee for a garage sale permit. There may also be restrictions in some areas on how many garage sales you can hold annually. For instance, Turlock, California, limits residents to two garage sales in one calendar year. If you live in a community with a neighborhood or condo association, make sure you are complying with any rules of that organization.
Determine whether you want to hold a one-day sale or two-day sale and consider how long it will last. Typically, garage sales start fairly early in the morning and run until mid-afternoon. Be aware that people who regularly go “garage sale-ing” to find bargains often arrive before the sale starts hoping to strike a quick deal. If you don’t want this distraction while you are setting up your items, make sure to put “No Early Birds” on your signs and in ads and clearly state the hours of your sale.
More pointers for a successful sale
Make arrangements for your spouse, kids, or a friend to help out. It’s crucial to have at least one other set of eyes and hands around on the day of the actual sale to assist with sales, answer questions and keep an eye on your stuff when you need to take a break.
Sort and price the weekend before your sale. If you have items you think are antiques or other valuable collectibles, it may be wiser to sell these on eBay or through an antiques dealer. Otherwise, keep prices as low as is reasonable at your garage sale. The odds are you’ll actually make more money and get rid of more stuff that way. Also decide how much you are willing to negotiate, especially on more pricey items like furniture and share this information with your garage sale partner.
Get the word out about your sale. Lynda Hammond, author of The Garage Sale Gal’s Guide to Making Money Off Your Stuff, warns newspaper ads are pricey and have fewer readers than ever. She advises using free listings on Craigslist.org instead and placing lots of signs made from bright, neon colored poster board that include bold arrows and the word “SALE” around your neighborhood. Consider Facebook updates and Twitter posts to promote your sale, too.
Have cash and change on hand. A roll of quarters, a stack of twenty-five $1 bills, and a few $5 bills should be adequate. Decide ahead of time whether you will take checks with proper identification. Don’t use a cash box. Instead, keep your money in a zip up “fanny pack” around your waist.
Prepare your staging area. People are more likely to stop if items are displayed in your yard or driveway instead of a dreary garage. Garage sale expert Lynda Hammond offers these additional staging tips:
- Clean the merchandise and keep rags nearby to spiff thing up (a sparkling vase will bring more money that one that’s dusty).
- Use tables to get items off the ground to make shopping easier. Improvise with a pair of sawhorses and a piece of plywood, if needed.
- Group similar items together such as pots and pans and dishes in one area, books and CDs in another.
- Selling clothes? Hang them up. If you don’t have a portable rack, use a ladder, a fence or rope hanging between trees.
- Place the larger items, such as furniture, toward the end of your driveway. The buyer may be more likely to buy it if it’s easier to load up into their vehicle.
- Have an electrical source nearby (an extension cord may come in handy) so people can try out small electrics and make sure they work.
Be friendly but not foolish. “No matter the reason given, don’t let anyone in your house. It’s not worth the risk,” says Hammond. She also advises keeping all the doors to your house locked.
Make arrangement to have your leftover stuff taken away. Don’t cram unwanted items back into the garage or closet. Call a charity ahead of time for pick-up of any useful items you can donate and make sure to get a receipt for tax purposes. If leftovers are clearly not donation-worthy, go ahead and put them in the trash as soon as possible.
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