How to Have a Successful Fall Garage Sale

Choose your date wisely

You’ll want to hold your garage sale before it gets too cold. People tend not to want to go yard-saling when they have to wear hats and gloves, or when the streets might be icy with frost, so choose a weekend in advance of the first freeze, if possible. Another consideration is to think about what’s going on in your area each weekend. If there is a big county fair one weekend or there is a three-day weekend (such as for Columbus Day or Veteran’s Day), it might be better to avoid those times, as people tend to travel. Usually garage sales are best held over two days, on Friday and Saturday, or on Saturday and Sunday. If you can only have it on one day, choose the one that makes more sense to you, based on your own obligations and what most people in your area do.

Advertise your garage sale

You don’t even need to spend money to do this! Put up an ad on Craigslist and hang posters or signs around your neighborhood, if it’s allowed. Do check into local ordinances, as you don’t want to be spending your garage sale profits on paying off fines for breaking the rules! Also, be sure to remove the signs promptly after your sale is over. Include your address and the date of the sale. If you have room on the sign, mention any big-ticket or popular items that you’ll be selling, such as tools, kids’ clothing, toys, furniture or electronics.

Price your items to sell

First, make sure that every item has a price tag, or that it is in a bin of items that is labeled with a dollar amount. Second, keep in mind that people will not pay retail prices at garage sales. A dollar or two per item for children’s clothing and perhaps slightly more for adult clothing would be reasonable. Books should usually be sold at a one to two dollars apiece. Furniture prices depend on condition, brand and age; one way to find out what they should cost would be to visit a thrift shop and look at similar items. You can also have a “free” pile that you put in items that aren’t really worth anything now, such as cassette tapes, damaged toys and electronics that don’t work. Also, remember that people will haggle at garage sales, so if you really want to get a certain dollar amount for something, don’t be afraid to price it slightly higher.

Stage your sale correctly

Put larger items toward the front, as people will tend to slow down and decide to either stop at your sale or drive by. Hang clothing from rods or fold and stack neatly, but be aware that the piles will need to be re-stacked constantly throughout your sale. Line up books neatly, using bookends. Put the “free” pile right out in front to encourage people to stop. Once they get out of their cars, they’ll tend to wander through the entire sale. Keep everything looking as neat as possible so that people will feel secure in buying from you.