Sales reduce clutter, raise some cash

Take a drive this weekend and chances are you’ll see at least one garage sale or church rummage sale happening in your neighborhood.

Warm weather spurs most of us to shake off the dust and clutter that accumulated over the winter and start fresh. For many people, that means holding a garage sale.

Last weekend I counted more than 250 garage and estate sales listed in the classifieds. There were probably just as many that weren’t advertised.

I’ll be honest. I would much rather go to a garage sale than have one. But every couple of years I bite the bullet and do it. And once it’s over, it’s nice to be able to park both cars in the garage again. And it never hurts to feel a little extra jingle in your pocket.

If a tidy garage, clean closets and clutter-free basement are on your to-do list this summer and you decide to hold a garage sale, I’ve put together a list of tips for you.

Successful garage sale tips

• Give yourself room to work. First clean out a space to price, clean and repair the things you want to sell. Put like items together. This makes it easier for shoppers to see exactly what you’ve got and find something to buy. And for goodness sake, don’t just throw a blanket on the grass and toss your junk on it. Display your merchandise and make it attractive to prospective buyers. You want them to pull over and pull out their wallet, so make your sale stand out.

• Price items to sell. Don’t lose sight of the fact that you’re selling stuff you don’t need or don’t have room for. Make sure your prices reflect that. It doesn’t matter if you paid $20 for something at Target six months ago; today it’s garage sale fodder. People cruise garage sales for bargains, not retail prices. If your price is too high be prepared to dicker with shoppers or move it back into the garage after the sale.

• Location, location, location. If you’re in a remote location consider holding your sale with a friend who lives in a high-traffic area. If you’re not comfortable with the idea of strangers coming to your home, check out school fund-raisers and church flea markets. Renting a space at a group sale lets you take advantage of the advertising and helps you attract a larger crowd.

• Start early, sell fast, and enjoy the rest of your day. Garage sale champions get up and get out with the sunrise. Most of the real bargain hunting is done by early afternoon on the first day. Also, don’t worry about having a sale all weekend. Sunday can be a pretty dead garage sale day. On the other hand, if have a flexible schedule, Friday is a good sale day.

• Advertise. Unless you live on a heavily traveled street, you are going to have to let people know you’re in business. Dealers and other dedicated garage sale hounds check out the newspaper classifieds and the free weekly “sell and trade” ads to plot their course. Target dealers and shoppers who might be interested in your antiques and collectibles by putting a flyer in local antique malls.

• Show them a sign. It’s frustrating to see a garage sale sign and not be able to read it without having to circle back around the block. Use a thick black marker on white or light poster paper and write neatly. If you have something unusual, or an item that is highly sought after, mention it on your sign. Make sure you have enough signs and arrows to help shoppers find their way. Just remember to get permission to put up a sign and don’t forget to take them all down after the sale.

• Be prepared. Make sure you have plenty of change and recycle those plastic bags from the grocery store.

• Leftovers. Make arrangement to have leftover items picked up. Many charities will send a truck out for what didn’t sell. Donations can also be dropped off at most thrift stores over the weekend.

• Make it a party. Many neighborhoods hold annual community sales. Everyone hauls out the junk on the same day and shares the parking headaches. Ask your neighbors if they would be interested in holding a group sale.

• Invite the family. When I have a garage sale, my younger children sell hot chocolate and donuts. This way they have something to do while I’m busy with my sale, and they get a little pocket money out of the deal. The only rule is that they have to save the raspberry-filled donut for me.

• The fine print. Make sure you follow the rules. Check out the garage sale permit requirements in your area. Some municipalities require that a permit be purchased before a sale can be held.

• Wide open space. Quick, before the clutter creeps back into the garage, designate a space for all those finds you’re going to pick up at someone else’s sale. Designate a shelf or box for the treasures you bring home and enjoy the clutter-free garage for as long as it lasts.

Coming up: The Farm Chicks Show and Sale will be Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Fairfield, which is 22 miles south of Spokane on Highway 27.

In addition to the hand-picked vintage items offered by Farm Chicks Terri Edwards and Serena Thompson, 20 dealers will be selling antiques and collectibles. Live music and food will be available both days. Admission is $5. For more information check out the Web at www.thefarmchicks.com.