Start preparing during the winter – pick one drawer or one closet to go thru every day or every week (depending upon how much you have to do)
Sort out what you don’t need from that drawer or closet, and start a box for the garage sale
Plan to be done sorting all of your spaces at least 2 weeks before the sale
Make sure all of your items are cleaned, folded and look their best
2 weeks before the sale - start marking your items, make sure that everything is marked – it is 100% more likely to sell than unpriced items, plus its easier for you on sale day if its busy
How to price – if you would otherwise donate the item price it to sell – most items will sell at $3 or less, depending upon what it is, use masking tape for marking – its inexpensive and comes off the item easily without leaving a mark
If you have items that you feel may be more valuable consider putting them on Craig’s List or E Bay or take them to consignment (again I am available for hire to help with this) this is good for the earth and it gives someone else the chance to enjoy the item!
Plan to have all of your items priced and ready to display (clean and folded/packaged, etc.) a few days before the sale
Two days before the sale – prepare your garage – bring in any items that you don’t want to “accidentally” disappear – hang up sheets to cover up the things that are not for sale, create display space with shelves, tables, big boxes with sheets over them, whatever you have
The night before the sale – put as much out on your displays as possible – arrange it in categories - put all the kitchen stuff in one spot, all the linens in another, knick knacks together, etc.
Open your doors at 8 AM
I personally want to get rid as much as I can on Saturday, so I generally do everything at ½ off on Saturday – but that is your individual choice
Here is a checklist for things to do for the days of the sale:
______ arrange to have 2 or 3 friends to help you
______ arrange for food and beverages for your workers
______ place ads in your local paper and on Craig's List
______ put up directional signs the night before
______ make up a $$ box (I like to use a plastic food container) with quarters, ones, fives and tens (expect lots of people to have twenties or larger bils)
______ put together a "sale supply" box with things like: string, tape (masking, scotch, packing, etc.), paper to make signs, scissors, pens, notebooks, shower curtain rings are great for hanging things up for display
______ set up a notebook to use to keep track of the sales if you have multiple people's items for sale
______ gather bags (plastic and peper grocery bags work great) for purchases and wrapping for fragile items
______ set up your check out table with space for people to place their purchases down while checking out
Here's a little movie from the latest Let's Get Organized! Sale
