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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Have A Safe And Fun Garage Sale

Carron L. Parnell Special To Choices

Garage sales are a great way to get rid of excess clutter and make some extra cash. Before you discount this money-making idea, just remember the old cliche about one person’s garbage being another’s treasure.

One of our readers, Anne Webster of Ohio, wrote to tell us about her many success stories. Having had a garage sale for each of the past six years, she considers herself an authority on the subject. She offered these tips:

Make a detailed checklist of things to do to prepare for your sale. Starting the process two to three weeks prior to the event helps to avoid last-minute panic.

Review your homeowner’s policy to make sure you’re covered in the event that a customer falls and gets hurt. Also check your zoning laws.

Call your neighbors to let them know about your sale; they might have stuff to sell, too.

Do a thorough cleaning several weeks in advance of the sale to be sure you don’t overlook anything.

Make sure clothes are cleaned and pressed, and make repairs. Investing some time may mean the difference between selling or not selling an item.

Check supplies: scissors, pens, price tags, bags, boxes, pocket calculator, extra tables (card tables work fine), signs, extension cord (for customer testing purposes), wastepaper basket, balloons, posterboard.

Arrange everything neatly in sections: men’s clothing, women’s clothing, children’s clothing (all clothes should be sorted and labeled by size). Figure out a clever way to hang garments, but don’t use clotheslines which tend to sag. A more efficient method is to use a closet rod or dowel and place it over whatever makes sense in your garage or carport. Price to sell. A good rule of thumb is to ticket items at approximately 10 percent of what was paid. Appliances should be priced at about 5 percent of retail. Try grouping other items by price (25 cents, 50 cents, 75 cents, etc.). And if you find certain items aren’t moving early in the day, be willing to cut the price.

Don’t get annoyed by hagglers. Remember why potential customers are out early on weekend mornings - to find deals. Anticipate these types and have fun with them.

If possible, have a dressing area in the corner of the garage (blocked off with a sheet or shower curtain). Include a full-length mirror and a piece of carpeting for the floor.

Dust and clean the garage or carport.

Get the word out. Place a classified advertisement in the paper and list the main attractions (children’s and maternity clothes are always hot). Specify “cash only” and “no early birds.” List hours and rain date.

Make a sign notifying customers that the sale is limited to the garage. (Decide beforehand whether bathrooms will be available.)

Place signs at major intersections near your home. We like to place a helium-filled balloon with each sign. We also tie balloons to our mailbox.

Have lots of change and small bills on hand. Keep money with you at all times. People who keep money in a box on a table make it very easy for someone to pick up the box and walk away.

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