The following is an article “How To Hold A Garage Sale” by Marc Primo.
When you’re in need and have a lot of things lying around the house, holding a garage sale is one of the best ways to make a quick buck. It’s also a great opportunity for you to take the Marie Kondo route and dispose of clutter you don’t use anymore for a better living experience.
Organizing your garage sale is not that as easy as it sounds. You’ll have to sort out things, determine reasonable prices, and check if what you sell may still be of use to others. It will require you to apply good decision-making first before you can actually hold a garage sale. Knowing the basics will get you on your way to turning garbage into gold in no time.
Try to restore items to their best state possible. People will always look for things that will be of value to them so only sell what’s clean and what still works. Wash glassware that you intend to sell and give it a shine if you can. Make sure second-hand clothes are still in good condition then give it a wash and present them neatly. Fix and polish furniture or gadgets that can still be used and put the ones you can inside their respective boxes if you still have them. While it might take some work, people will see that you have class and take good care of your things. That will give your customers the impression that your items are still worth keeping.
Determine a fair price. One of the most common mistakes people make when holding a garage sale is setting second-hand items at an overpriced value. Customers know that used items should be significantly lower than their original prices and are constantly on the lookout for the best prices for them. Resist the temptation of placing a premium on sentimental value as this could lead to unattractive prices for your items. Keep things realistic and determine which things are collectibles including paintings, autographed memorabilia, and antiques as they can pass for a much higher price. The rule is setting your price for common items at a quarter or up to a third of their original price and according to their condition. Do a search online and review how much others are selling their used items so that you can set your own prices reasonably. After determining your prices, make sure your price tags are visible on every item to grab the attention of potential buyers.
You don’t have to do it alone. As in anything in life, having the support of family and friends is a plus. That also goes when setting up a garage sale. Asking friends and family to help out on things will certainly be more fun rather than doing everything all by yourself. Seek other people’s opinion on your prices, the condition of items, and how to market your sale. Telling more people about your upcoming garage sale and the items you wish to sell can benefit you by word of mouth. Think of it as free advertising and if you know someone who can design for you a flyer wherein you can place details about your sale, then ask if they are open to help you out at a minimal fee or better yet, for free.