Tips for a Successful Garage Sale
Borrow These Retail Strategies to Increase Revenue at Your Yard Sale
Jun 26, 2009
A successful garage sale accomplishes two things: It brings in cash and it gets rid of junk. The right location, product placement, advertising and sales incentives can all help increase revenue and ensure that you’ll never have to see that hideous lamp from Aunt Irma again.
Location, Location, Location
It’s true that you have no control over the placement of your house, but that doesn’t mean you have to hold your garage sale there. If you live on rural, dead-end street, it might be best to team up with a friend who lives in a better location.
The optimal garage sale site is in a high-traffic area, but also allows for ample parking. A major street will work, provided there are several nearby side-streets for cars to turn onto and park. A subdivision can also work well, as long as it is accessible from a main street and signs are placed at the entrance.
Advertising
About those signs … They should be large, bright and neat. Sloppy writing screams “junk pile,” so if this is you, recruit a friend or family member to be your secretary. Keep the wording simple, but don’t hesitate to mention the fact that you have “tons of like-new baby items” or “barely-used electronics.” Consider setting up a table of free items at your garage sale. This way, you also can advertise “free stuff.” Don’t limit sign-placement to the nearest street corner. Target the two nearest busy streets and use arrows to guide customers to your sale.
Also, be sure to post a listing for your garage sale on Craigslist.com. Here’s your opportunity to be specific in what you are selling. List furniture, electronics, antiques, collectibles, kitchen appliances – the more items you list, the more likely you’ll hit the mark on someone’s list.
Product Placement
Stores consistently place their newest, most attractive items in the windows so customers will be inclined to step inside. The same logic applies to garage sales. Placing large, expensive items closest to the street will help draw customers. Line the curb with electronics, bikes, and high-quality furniture.
Making the Deal
There are several sales tactics you can borrow from the retail world.
- Buy one, get one free: Set up two tables, one with valuable items and one with junk. Tell customers that if they purchase any item from the first table, they can take something from the second table for no cost. Goodbye, faded coffee mugs.
- Free samples: Offer customers an ice-cold lemonade on the house, just for stopping by. This not only encourages people to stop and shop; it also makes them feel as if they should buy something.
- A dollar each – or five for $3: For items that you have in abundance, such as books or DVDs, offer customers a bargain when they buy in bulk.
- Simple reassurance: You’d be surprised what a little “That would look great on you,” can do. When you have the chance, throw a customer a line of encouragement.
