Woot! Woot!
:D

Good for you! I so want to have one, but with watching our grandson I really don't have the time to get one ready. I would love to make some easy money. Well not that getting and having a garage sale is easy! 8^P

That's amazing. We've only ever made around $300 (and that is pretty much in the first hour). After that everyone wants a $1 deal. I do love the feeling of repurposing all of the items we can no longer use, though.

What sort of items did you have for sale at your yard sale?
Our town is having a town-wide yard sale in 2 weeks and we are planning on participating. Any tips you can offer me would be greatly appreciated. And congratulations on your success!

It's not easy money! I worked for a week! But my goal was to clean out every closet, basement, attic, room, drawer, cabinet, etc! Our youngest has gone to college and I felt like it was time for a clean sweep!

First of all, clothing was a no sale. I didn't get rid of much of what I had. I wouldn't waste my time.

I had tons of stuff in my attic. I sold old comforters, sheets, a few pieces of furniture, glassware, an old set of dishes I never used, a few collectible pieces of glassware I didn't want to keep, electronics, and a bunch of other stuff.

Another tip is to be well organized. Items need to be clean and priced. I didn't budge on my prices and sold nearly everything! Good luck!

Fantastic!!!!!!! Spend it wisely. LOL That means get new things for the house lol.

Caramia -- Our youngest has gone to college, too, and I've been trying to do a major clean-out as well. Must be something about that empty nest syndrome!

Anyway, congrats on your success. It is a lot of work, but so nice to have everything organized, isn't it?

Caramia-
Thanks for your tips. I was going to try and sell afew old jackets- but not really any clothing. We moved last year and we are not ussing a lot of the stuff from our previous home so I plan on selling it all! Wish me luck.

Polly929... Be prepared. Our town does this every year. Maps are given out, it is really nice. Only problem is that with so much competition sales can be really slow. We have ours a few weeks before and always after the first of month when pockets are fuller. Clothing is a hard item to sell. Sometimes it goes, sometimes not. One year I noticed my dh has a drawer full of new socks that he did not really like but did not really tell me. So they sat there. I took the whole drawer and stopped by one of the local churches I pass daily going to work. They serve the homeless on certain days. I stopped to give the new, clean socks last fall. I was literally hugged by the director. Socks are something that the folks really need but no one ever donates, especially new ones. I feel really good knowing that every day I drive by I know that I have touched the lives of those less fortunate in a truly appreciated way. Dolls or toys to the emergency shelter for children taken from their parents in the middle of the night is a really great place to take things too.

I start my sale a week early. I take the things I have been gathering throughout the year and make piles in my livingroom according to what section of the sale they belong. I take the clothing and make piles on my table. This also makes it easier to carry out in the morning of the sale. You can price some items and make signs for the clothing. Pants, shirts, mens, womens, etc. You can draw a pic for those who may not read English and point to the sign when trying to converse. Save those horrible grocery bags and recycle to those who buy a lot. After the sale, you can select the really valuable items you want to save for next years sale and the rest you need to donate to the local hospice thrift or such. It is a tax writoff at least and goes to a great cause. If there are things they will not take, post on craigslist as free and leave a time and address for them to be picked up. My coworker does this, leaves it out front and it is gone before she goes out for the morning paper. I live on a busy corner so I can leave it out without folks knowing which house it came from.

You can make a lot or a little. Just remember that something is only worth what someone else will pay you. So that item you may have paid $20 for may only be worth someone else paying $5. Negotiate a little and don't take it personal. Then do something nice with whatever you make.

Congrats and Woot Woot!

Yes, I plan to put the $$$ into my kitchen reno. We're having new hardwood put in and this helps pay for that. I'm excited about it!

Hi Cara- I wanted to give you an update-
I had my garage sale yesterday and we made $370. My mom came too and she sold about 100 dollars worth of stuff. I stayed very firm on my prices but my husband was too nice and wasn't as firm. None of my big items sold though, so I plan on listing them on Craig's list. Thanks for all your advice. I plan on using the money for Christmas.

Congrats!! Your hard work payed off.

Joanne

oops paid off.. Excuse my french

Great Polly! It feels good to clean out your house doesn't it! I'm using my money for new floors. Hopefully, they'll go in tomorrow! Yea!

Well, crud! I misread your post and thought that you were still in the process of getting ready for your sale! LOL Oh, well, here's my response. Maybe it'll help somebody else!! LOL Glad that you had a great sale.

Have things up on tables and shelves so that people do not have to bend over and go through things. Putting several things in boxes (not clothing) is okay but it just doesn't need to be down on the ground or garage floor.

Yes, make sure that things are clearly marked with prices. Have an extension cord handy so that people can check on appliances, lamps, etc. to make sure for themselves that they work. Have plenty of plastic bags and newspapers handy to wrap and load purchases into them. Perhaps have a pot of coffee and some cups or soft drinks for sale. Seems to encourage people to linger and look everything over well.

Have plenty of change available so that you can easily do transactions. Keep an eye on your money container. Sad to say, but people have had the misfortune of having their hard earned $$ taken during sales. A cloth carpenter's type apron that ties at your waist or a fanny pack type bag is good to keep on you at all times and leaves your hands free to help customers, make change, etc.

Thanks for the tips. I purposefully wore a sweatshirt with a big pocket in the front to keep my money safe. I had plenty of plastic bags. Everything was marked clearly. I stayed firm on my prices for the most part, but was willing to haggle with people who were friendly and polite. There were some people who were extremely rude, and I actually asked one person to put my stuff down and take her business elsewhere. I'd rather give it away to charity.
Caramia- yes it does feel great, good luck with your floors tomorrow, and enjoy the finished product!