Having a garage sale is the perfect way to get rid of things you don’t use and make money. When you’re garage sale planning, there are a few things that need to be on your checklist. Let’s take a look at them and see how you can have a successful garage sale!
Choose the Perfect Timing
Never have a garage sale on a holiday or any other special day. Most people won’t plan to go yard sale hunting on Christmas or Super Bowl day. Choose a normal day with nice weather to appeal to more customers.
Scouting your area, local newspapers, and websites for other sales is item number one on your yard sale checklist. Get familiar with popular yard sale times in your area and plan around them. If you can host your sale the weekend before another sale, that would be great. If not, try to host your sale at least 15-30 minutes before the start of your competitor’s sale.
Most people who yard sale hunt, plan ahead. They already know which sale they are going to. As well as which items they plan to buy. If your sale is a few days before or at least a few minutes ahead of the other, you’ll be their first stop!
Consider a Two-Day Sale
You may want to consider adding, “two-day sale” to your yard sale checklist. This gives customers who may have had something come up an opportunity to shop with you another day. As well as, introduce the possibility for “word of mouth” marketing. If you had a satisfied customer shop with you on a Friday and then go home to show off their new goodies – you’ll more than likely have their friends come by the next day.
Pick a Good Location
Location is everything! Whether it’s a yard sale or you’re buying your dream beachfront property, location is literally everything. When you’re garage sale planning, choosing a good location should be one of the first things on your yard sale checklist.
Try to choose a location that is easy to find and has a decent amount of parking. You don’t want potential customers to drive right by your sale because they couldn’t find you. Or even worse, they didn’t have anywhere to park. If parking is tight at your residence, ask a loved one if you can host your yard sale at their place.
Keep Everything Clean
Prior to your sale, go through all of your items and make sure they are clean. The moment you have an idea that you want to have a yard sale, cleaning and organizing should be on your yard sale checklist. Even if items are old and not in the best condition, you’ll want to make sure they are wiped down. Never put dusty items straight from the attic onto the sale table. It’s not a good look!
Plan for Organization
Plan how you’re going to organize your items for sale. Some buyers may have time to browse and look around. Others may come to your sale to quickly find one specific item.
Make sure everything is neatly organized before customers arrive at your sale. And, spend time sprucing up your display during the sale, as well.
Advertise in Advance
Your yard sale checklist should have “advertise” on it. While you’re garage sale planning, allow your customer to plan as well. Advertising in advance will give your customers the opportunity to plan their days effectively.
Best of all, this is also another opportunity for “word of mouth” marketing. All it takes is someone asking a potential customer, “Hey, what do you have planned on Saturday?” And now, you have a customer and 3 of their friends, all coming to your yard sale!
Gift Your Customers with Convenience
You’ll gain lifelong customers at your garage sales if you gift your customers with convenience. When you’re hosting a garage sale, try to have bags and boxes available to your customers. Having this simple token on your yard sale checklist will leave a lasting impression on your customers. Making your next yard sale being an even bigger success!
Another thing you want to be sure of is having change available. Try to have cash change of no less than $300. You don’t want to miss a sale because a customer only has a $100 bill. Be prepared to handle anything so you won’t have to turn customers away.
Interested in reaching more customers? List your yard sale with us today!
