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Our garage sales are over $1000 because of preparation and attitude. The sale takes place in several phases with gathering the merchandise being the first. You might want to gather material over about six months by first deciding what of your own stuff can go. This is a great time to de-clutter your house. Check out all the hidden sites - garage, closets, attic, shed, stored boxes, book shelves or basement. You can also ask friends if they want to contribute or sell their own treasures.

Once you have plenty of sales items, pick a date so you have enough time to prepare, clean and price your items. Take the time to wash sheets and blankets, clean the glasses and vases, polish the silver, check to make sure things work and in general make your merchandise attractive. Be honest in how you describe items.

Your goal should be to sell all you can. Nothing is more disheartening than to go to a garage sale only to find out the prices are about the same as the local antique mall. If you can't part with it at a cheap price, then find another means of selling it. Not that you can't have a few high-priced items, but in general it should be cheap, fun and fast moving. Try to have variety.

Remember, negotiation is half the fun of the sale. Many people will want a better price and ask for a quantity discount. Mark some of the higher priced items up a little to make room for haggling. Limit the bargain giving the first few hours, but as time moves on be more and more flexible. Most people give away what doesn't sell, so something is better than nothing. You're there to serve the customer, so be nice and friendly during any discussions.

The day of the sale have as many tables, clothing racks, shelves or other display pieces as you can borrow. Spread it out and make it look big. Many people drive right past a sale that looks small and unorganized. Put some of the larger attractive items out front near the curb. If you have something on the junky side, but still saleable, put it in the back out of the way. Suggested prices for a few things: hard backs - $1, paperbacks - $.50, clothing - $.50- $1 (unless a coat or other more expensive item), glasses & cups - $.25, decorations - $2-3 and make the bulk of the items $5 or less. If you have some actual treasures, such as antiques or jewelry, then price reasonably and keep them where you can see them.

Be prepared to help the customers. Have plenty of change, dollar bills, fives, tens and some twenties. Be ready to bag the items and box the bigger stuff. Save your plastic bags and boxes for this sale. Have an electrical extension cord with a outlet box so they can plug in anything electrical they are interested in. You might want to plug in a few things like TV's. Line up some friends/neighbors to help during the sale. They will be times when things are really busy. With help you can guard the money, answer questions, collect the money, bag the items and watch out for theft.

Do all you can to announce the sale. Put an ad in the paper. Email all your contacts. Put all the signs up your city allows. Obtain a city permit if required. Hand out flyers in the neighborhood if you're ambitious. Spread the word among social contacts, church, neighbors and friends. The more people, the more you'll sell.

Get up early for the sale. Start before daylight so you can be set up for the early birds, who tend to be the "professional" garage-salers. They have money. Make the coffee, have good breakfast and be ready to work. Once your pockets begin to fill with money, it's all worthwhile. Good luck!

Learn more about this author, John Leonardson.
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