Garage Sale 101

Okay, so I've been to my share of garage sales lately to find inventory for Lila's Pockets. After my outings today I decided to share some of my insight on how to have a successful sale. In no particular order, here are my tips:

1. The majority of garage salers don't want to spend more than $10 on an item. If you've got something that's worth more than that, sell it on Craigslist. You will get a much better offer there.

2. Don't sell antiques at a garage sale! Sell them to an antique dealer or on Craigslist.

3. Clothing shouldn't be more than $1 -- you've been wearing it for years!

4. Children's shoes should be no more than $2 -- your children have been wearing them and who knows what they've stepped in along the way!

5. Put your stuff in the driveway (think "drive" sale as oppose to "garage" sale -- people are more likely to stop if they can see what you have).

6. Put a price on everything! You will lose buyers if they have to ask how much something is.

7. Don't be offended when someone offers you less -- if it's within a few bucks -- sell it. The idea is to get rid of stuff.

8. Signs are very helpful -- if people have to search for you, they will just be irritated with you when they do find you.

9. Throw trash away. If you are selling something that's dirty or obviously broken - THROW IT OUT - or put it in a pile marked "free"

10. Keep in mind -- the idea of a garage sale is not so much to make a ton of money, but to get rid of your junk. Basically, you could and probably should be paying people to haul your stuff away, but instead you get to make a little cash in the process. The less you value your stuff; the more money you will probably make.

Obviously, you can sense some sarcasm in my writing, but hopefully you get the idea. I will be having my garage sale in two weeks so I'll have to let you know how it goes. Get out there -- there are some great treasures to be found.