Garage Sale Continued

This is my favorite sign of all...makes me laugh! This is sure to get them thinking that they should turn around and go back to see what all the hub-bub is about!

Signage is of utmost importance! Have plenty of it and make it stand out. You'll want to make sure that all the signs are cohesive so people end up at your sale instead of some other sale. Remember to advertise before the sale. Craig's List, Facebook, and newspaper are all good ideas. Cover your bases! Don't forget to tweat about it too!

This is the sign you put at major intersections. Make sure your signs have all of the pertinent information, are easy to read, stand out from the rest, and will stand up to any type of weather. Notice that there is no exact date. This will allow you to use the sign again, again, and again! Join forces with neighbors and friends and throw a multi-family bash...the bigger, the better. And just one more note. If you advertise a giant sale, make sure you live up to it, you won't want to dissapoint eager shoppers!

Let's talk about early bird shoppers. Many people discourage early shopping, but I say up and at 'em! Early shoppers tend to be serious buyers and are looking for the best selection. You will find antique store owners, junk shop proprietors, and flea market vendors among these shoppers. Be prepared the night before leaving as little to do the morning of as possible. This sign can be hung at the end of your driveway, blocking the entrance and indicating the time you intend to open.

When you are ready, drop the rope, flip the sign, and stake the open side in the grass. Let the fun begin!

Draw the attention of passerbys by making your garage sale bright and cheery. I used blue tarps and vintage looking oilcloth as table coverings. They are pretty, easy to keep clean, and water proof.

Notice the clamps used to weight the oilcloth. But, wait...they have another purpose too!  Both the tarp and the oilcloth are waterproof. That's a good thing at a garage or yard sale. The tarp is oversized and neatly tucked under on the back side of the table. In case of an unexpected shower or for a quick closing at the end of the day, just wrap the table and its wares with the excess tarp and use the clamps on the oilcoth to secure. This will keep everything dry and happy and avoid hauling back and forth from the garage.

Have an organized check-out table with everything you need at your fingertips. Plenty of extra tags, recycled grocery bags, twine, calculator, and don't forget the music. Makes shopping way more fun!

You'll want to run your sale like a department store. You'll want everything neatly displayed, categorized, and plenty of friendly and helpful folks to man the sale. The one thing you won't want to do is take returns so make sure to let the shoppers know. I also think it is a good idea not to clutter your market tables. Replenishing inventiory as the sale continues will help avoid clutter and keep customers coming back!

Check out the big green sign! This is a great sign to put out on the last day of your sale. Be more flexible with your pricing after the first day of the sale and maybe have your last day be the half-price day!

Keep plenty of change on hand. A vintage muffin tin on your check out table works nicrly to contain your change. Bills should be kept close to the vest in the cashier's apron!

Presentation is everything...be fun and creative. You will have lots of items to corale at your sale so being inventive with containers is key. This vintage umbrella flipped upside down and stuck into the grass is just one fun idea!