Welcome to our blog Fabulessly Frugal! You too can be FABULOUSLY FRUGAL with out breaking the bank!

WE'VE MOVED! Come on over to FABULESSLYFRUGAL.COM and see our "NEW LOOK! and resubscribe to our new feed!

Newbie? Check out our couponing basics. Come back often to see the latest printable coupons, freebies, coupon tips and frugal living tips! Got something to say? Leave us a comment! Lastly, subscribe via RSS or Email to get the latest updates! We are located in Boise, Idaho, and blog about stores found in the Northwest and Nationally!

Friday, June 12, 2009

FABULESSLY FRUGAL FRIDAY: How to Host a Garage Sale


So we already talked about how to effectively power shop at garage sales, now we're going to talk about how to effectively HOST the garage sale!

Here are some tips:


  1. ADVERTISE - now that seems to be quite the no brainer, right? But it is all in HOW you advertise. When I'm scrolling through craigslist, an address, or a city isn't telling me much. Give me a subdivision name at the very least. Even better - give me the nearest major intersection in the title. THEN in your ad, give the address (with basic directions for those who don't know how to utilize Google Maps!)
  2. KEEP ADVERTISING! Just because you listed your garage sale, doesn't mean people will find you. GET SIGNS! Simple signs with big fat arrows! You aren't advertising what you're selling at this point - you are advertising WHERE your sale is! Keep directing your prospective shoppers with signs! (And PLEASE - take them down after the sale!)
  3. MULTI FAMILY - you'll attract more people and save money on any advertising costs.
  4. START EARLY - Just start early for those early birds! They aren't going to come back later of you tell them you aren't "open" yet!
  5. ORGANIZATION -Have things set out on tables and make sure the prices are easily seen. Have a money box stocked with plenty of change (one's and quarters).
  6. FOOD/BEVERAGES - let your kidlets sell some food/drinks... what a fun way for them to make a little extra cash! People love to support kids! OR grill some of those cheap hot dogs you purchased at Albies last week, and serve some soda. Sell it for a $1 or so and you could make an easy profit!
  7. EXPECT BARGAINERS - before you turn down that offer, realize that something is better than ending the day with that particular item still in your possession.
  8. DON'T MAKE IT PERSONAL - remember people are looking at your used stuff. If it is something so great, you can sell it later on craigslist or ebay. Don't feel bad if no one wants it!
  9. SET A GOAL - want to pay off some debt? Or are you after a new piece of furniture? It's a lot more fun and easier to watch your stuff leave in exchange for something you're wanting!

When we had our multi-family sale last year, we tagged the items with different color stickers (or you could write your initials on the tags). When an item sells, put the sticker in your notebook that has a
column for each seller. At the end, tally up the stickers and divide the money accordingly.

What are your tips for holding a garage sale?

ps - list yours or great ones you know about on our weekly FAB Yard Sale Listings post!

3 comments:

kimberly said...

Bright, Big sign's with the word Garage Sale, Yard Sale in huge letters with an arrow for the direction. YOu don't need to try to list your address or the stuff your selling on the sign. Because normally people can't read it becuse it's to small. Use a lot of signs so the directions are clear. SINGS are a key item to a good garage sale!!!

kimberly said...

Bright, Big sign's with the word Garage Sale, Yard Sale in huge letters with an arrow for the direction. YOu don't need to try to list your address or the stuff your selling on the sign. Because normally people can't read it becuse it's to small. Use a lot of signs so the directions are clear. SINGS are a key item to a good garage sale!!!

Andrea said...

I'm from the midwest and I've noticed most of the garage sales around here are SO different! I've been suprised to go to garage sale after garage sale with RIDICULOUS prices. I only buy name brand for my son (snob. yes.) but at a garage sale this morning, outfits (tshirt/pants) were $20!!! TWENTY!!! Okay, maybe thats half off the stores prices, but I'm not paying that much for your USED clothing; hence, it's important to realize whatprices are the norm and garage sales are cheaper than consignment stores. Just a thought.