Q&A for How to Have a Garage Sale

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  • Question
    How do I set up clothes for sale?
    Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®
    Certified Professional Organizer & Senior Move Manager
    Marty Stevens-Heebner is a Certified Professional Organizer (CPO) and Founder of Clear Home Solutions, a home organizing and senior moving management company based in Southern California. Marty is the President of the National Association of Senior and Specialty Move Managers (NASMM), with certifications in Senior and Specialty Move Management, Professional Organizing, and Aging in Place. Clear Home Solutions was the first nationally accredited firm in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Marty is the first Certified Senior Move Manager (SMM-C) in the United States and has been acknowledged as a Hoarding Specialist and ADHD Specialist through the Institute for Challenging Disorganization. Marty also hosts How to Move Your Mom (and still be on speaking terms afterward), a podcast dedicated to later life and all its idiosyncrasies. She received her B.A. in History from Cornell University and an MFA from the University of California, Los Angeles.
    Certified Professional Organizer & Senior Move Manager
    Expert Answer
    A simple garment rack is the best way to do it. If you don't have one, you can buy it, but you probably don't want to invest in one for just a one shot garage sale. You can also ask around and see if your neighbors have it, or just improvise with a piece of wire to hang your hangers. You can also hang a shower curtain in a corner of your garage just so people can try clothes behind a curtain, without giving access to your house.
  • Question
    What do you do if two guests want the same thing?
    Community Answer
    Be polite and suggest an auction style bid for the item. In this way, you can try to get one to pay more than the other, and the highest bidder wins. Or, suggest a compromise, such as letting one customer get the item but the other customer have a discount on something else or get a similar item plus something in its place. Sounds like a great success of a garage sale though!
  • Question
    I'm a kid - is it okay if I do it by myself?
    Community Answer
    Just because you are a kid doesn't mean you can't organize a garage sale but running it with adults or older youth is a safe and wise choice, as you don't want adults taking advantage of your youth and forcing you to take less money or worst still, stealing things from you because they know you can't do anything about it. Having an older person there is a reassurance for you that adults will behave themselves.
  • Question
    Is it difficult to have a garage sale?
    Community Answer
    Not at all. Your garage sale can be super fancy, or just items thrown on the table with price tags on them.
  • Question
    What kinds of things can a seller profit from?
    Community Answer
    Smaller, frequently-needed items are my best sellers. Small tables, lamps, rugs, curtains etc. are top sellers. Gently worn denim is always popular, as well as gently used kitchen items and small appliances. Almost any quirky item that can double as storage space is a sure sell.
  • Question
    How do you price the items?
    Community Answer
    If the item you are selling is one you really want to get rid of, price it cheaply. If it was hard to part with, price it more.
  • Question
    Is it feasible to run a cash only garage sale?
    Community Answer
    Absolutely! People know that garage sales are basically cash-only affairs. People at home are not expected to have credit card facilities, not even the new fancy phone varieties. Make it clear if needed, by placing up a big sign that says cash-only. You could give people directions to the nearest ATM if needed, and offer to put the item aside for half an hour.
  • Question
    How do I sell an old dollhouse that is missing some of the furniture pieces?
    Community Answer
    Write on the price tag "Dollhouse. Some missing furniture. Selling as is."
  • Question
    What if I have planned my garage sale, and it's supposed to be sunny, but then it rains?
    Community Answer
    Plan a rain date for your garage sale, typically a week later. As the time gets closer, watch the weather forecast. If they're predicting lots of rain, go with the rain date. If it looks like scattered sprinkles, you're probably fine, especially if you have a garage or yard tent, use it to provide some protection from the weather.
  • Question
    What happens when I do not tell the city?
    Community Answer
    Depending on where you live, several things could happen. You could get a warning from the local police, or be forced to shut down your sale. In some rare instances, you could also receive a fine. Be on the safe side and check city ordinances before you set up your sale.
  • Question
    How can I display earrings and necklaces?
    Community Answer
    Hang them on a jewelry holder or something similar, if you have it available. Otherwise, just lay them out neatly on the table.
  • Question
    Can you do a garage sale even if you don't have a front or back yard?
    Community Answer
    Yes. If you do not have a front or a back yard, you can use your garage. If your garage is too small or there are too many things in it, you have it at a friend's or a family member's house. You could also rent out a table at a flea market.
  • Question
    What should I do if I have to use the bathroom and there's no place to go?
    Community Answer
    You can ask the owner of the house to use their bathroom, or just leave the garage sale and go to a nearby facility with a restroom, like a gas station.
  • Question
    How much should I charge for children's books?
    Community Answer
    A quarter to fifty cents, generally.
  • Question
    Do I need to provide transportation for large furniture items?
    Community Answer
    No, you are not under any obligation to provide transportation. If you have a large item someone would like to buy, they can haul it away. If a person is interested in purchasing a large item but needs to find someone to pick it up for them, you may consider placing a "hold" on the item for up to a certain time.
  • Question
    What if my mom does not want to do it, but I am willing to do everything by myself?
    Community Answer
    You can ask her permission, and see if she would allow you to hold it on your own.
  • Question
    If I have a garage sale near a tourist spot, will that affect how many customers I get?
    Community Answer
    It might, but some people put up posters the day before their garage sale to get customers. If you're really nervous, you can put an advertisement for your sale in the paper.
  • Question
    How long should I wait between garage sales?
    Community Answer
    You can do them as often as you like and whatever your city will permit.
  • Question
    What about bigger items in the house, like furniture?
    Community Answer
    You could get someone to help you to carry them out, like family or friends. Or, if it is needed, you can direct and go with the person to show them the item and leave your helper outside to help the other customers.
  • Question
    Where can I get a permit for a garage sale?
    Community Answer
    First, check to make sure that a permit is needed in your city for a garage sale by doing an online search for garage sale permits in your area. If so, you should be able to go to city hall to obtain one. You may even be able to obtain one online.
  • Question
    How can I start a yard sale if I live in a first floor apartment?
    Community Answer
    You could ask some of the other people in the building to consider a building sale, held on common-area property (with building management permission) or stretched across some first-floor tenant "yards" (if possible).
  • Question
    Can I have a garage sale in an apartment?
    Community Answer
    If your apartment building has a garage area or other good public area where you could do it, yes. Inside your apartment, not so much. People don't typically want to go inside the homes of strangers they don't know, nor should you want a bunch strangers coming into your home - they could steal something of yours or cause other trouble.
  • Question
    Can I price the items so people can pay what they want?
    MoonAngle53
    Community Answer
    Yes. This is the best way to get rid of things. Just be aware you may not get as much money.
  • Question
    Where can I buy price tags or stickers?
    Community Answer
    Amazon has a variety of vendors with signs, price tags, and even sets of tags and signs.
  • Question
    What should I do if things got dusty because I haven't used them for years?
    Community Answer
    Clean them off. People are more likely to buy things that are nice to look at, and if they're dusty, they're not nice to look at.
  • Question
    Is it safe to sell knives, scissors, etc. at a garage sale?
    Community Answer
    If selling any sharp objects, such as knives, scissors, or razor blades, put masking tape over the blade and keep out of reach from smaller children that may pass through your sale.
  • Question
    How can I have a garage sale that earns me enough money to visit Disney World?
    Community Answer
    You would have to put a good deal of fairly valuable things out for sale. You also have to be careful how you price things; people go to garage sales looking for deals. If you price things too high, they won't sell.
  • Question
    Do i have to ask my community if I can have a garage sale?
    Community Answer
    In most cases, no, but in some places, you must. Check with your local laws and state ordinances before you have your sale.
  • Question
    When having a garage sale, can I sell cookies/cupcakes/brownies/cake anything of that sort or maybe lemonade and chips?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can.
  • Question
    What can make the best sales?
    COOkie_000
    Community Answer
    Best selling things include: Furniture, used books, electronics, crafts, hand tools, toys, sporting and exercising equipment, kitchenware, and more.
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