Garage/Yard/Rummage Sale Suggestions
 

I know there are people that plan their shopping ahead of time - but I am one usually 'follows the arrows'

* Have your signs LEGIBLE from a distance - In fact, have a BIG arrow - with the point really big - at the top of the sign. I have trouble seeing/reading signs from a distance. (Although my DH who can spot an airplane at 5000 feet NEVER seems to be able to even SEE a garage sale sign!) An address is okay to put on the sign, but it's not the first thing I want to see.

I usually am unfamiliar with the area that I'm in - so an address is totally meaningless to me. And a two inch arrow at the very bottom of a cluttered sign with half-inch high pointer is worthless. By the time I figured out where I should have gone - I've missed the intersection, or I'm in the wrong lane.

* I like the idea of a given sale having the 'same' signs all the way to the sale stage.

* If your location is in a place with a lot of y-streets - arrows pointing the way are very helpful.

* Put a clear plastic bag over the sign if it's been rainy. Also, try to use two posts so that the wind won't blow it away or twist the sign.

* I have heard of people taking signs down - so if you can - check on your signs once in a while to make sure they are still there.

* Have your stuff clean and displayed neatly. Unless you are willing to let the stuff go very cheaply. I am willing to pay more for clean stuff than dirty stuff.

* Have things marked. If you are planning to have a drastic reduction on the last day, perhaps a sign indicating that would be helpful.

* If you are going to allow early birds to shop - maybe charge them more? I feel cheated when the ad says the hours are 8 - 4, I get there at 7:30 and I see people leaving the sale with bags and bags in their hands.

* It's also helpful to have similar things grouped together - craft stuff together, puzzles/games together, etc.

* If possible, have clothes hanging up - and not overly crowded. It's more fun to look if I can actually see the garment without several of them coming out with the one I want to see. It will also mean less refolding of garments for the seller!

*Try not to have things where people will trip over them or hit their heads on them.

* Acknowledge a potential buyer when he/she shows up.

*Take the signs down when the sale is over! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.

amen to all the above..:)

Very good advice

Great advice! I don't shop garage sales anymore (trying to clean out house for selling next year) but, when I did, all of those suggestions would have helped me buy more!

We had a successful yard sale a few weeks ago and uses many of those suggestions. One that I think is most important is please take down your signs when your sale is over.

Great advice!

I agree with all of your suggestions but do like to see a street address so if worse comes to worse I can plug it into the GPS.

and PLEASE, put your signs on the side of the road where you need to turn! My pet peeve is seeing a garage sale sign from a distance, getting in the lane to turn and the danged sale being the other direction!!!!!!

All of those are GREAT suggestions! like arrows, cleanliness, prices, hours and ESPECIALLY the second to the last, ACKNOWLEDGE the people showing up to your sale. I can't believe the number of times, *I'M* the one saying 'hello' first...while they sit there and talk on the phone.

I'll add - how about a 'Thank You' or "Thanks for stopping" - whether or not I buy.

When I refused to allow a man to shop at a garage sale until the posted time, he tried to run over me!!!