Marilyn Bohn | Creative Organizer

Garage and Yard sales are very popular and are a fantastic way to pick up bargains. I just can’t make myself have them nor do I go to them. My neighbor had one 2 years ago and I took her lunch and showed people some things in her house while she stayed outside. Now that I can handle.

Years ago we had one at our home. I got the items arranged on tables, marked the prices, advertised in the local paper, and put up posters but when it came time for it to start I was sick. I stayed in bed all day reading a book while my husband ‘worked’ the sale. (He enjoyed it). I wasn’t really sick, only mentally I couldn’t stand to have people come and bargain at already dirt cheap prices. People can act like vultures. Silly I know, but that is how it is. (We had had one a few years before this one and that is what I experienced).

However I know people love these sales and they are a good thing. Our local newspaper ‘The Clipper’ has a wonderful community service for people holding garage sales. For free they give two printed florescent posters, balloons and a set of instructions for successful garage sales.

Here is their list of tips:

-List the big items on poster as well as advertise in newspaper w/phone number. Some people are looking for specific items.
-If you don’t want Early Birds, put up a sign.
-Put the price on top of the item to be easily seen.
-The bigger the item—the bigger should be the price tag.
-Provide grocery bags.
-Have plenty of change and small bills (2-10’s, 4-5’s, 25-1’s, 1 roll quarters, $5 in nickels & dimes if you have items less than 25 cents)
-Use a money apron with different sections to sort & keep money separate. (Also avoids any chance of being robbed).
-To avoid any hassles later on, post a sign that says, “All Sales Final”.
-Provide for adequate parking.
-If it is a hot day provide a drink. People may linger longer.
-Yard Sales are more relaxing if there is some background music on. Play easy listening middle-of-the-road type music.
More Yard Sales Tips: www.yardsalequeen.com

Happy bargain hunting and getting rid of your things while earning some extra cash.