Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
  • Do you have tips for a garage sale? >
  • Do you have tips for a garage sale?

  • Do you have tips for a garage sale?

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 10-04-2010, 09:51 AM
      #1  
    Super Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Emma S's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jun 2010
    Location: Roseburg, OR
    Posts: 2,976
    Default

    Well I am taking the plunge. I have a lot of apparal fabric, a few housewares, craft books and some patterns. Sorry quilters I am hanging on to my cotton. I don't sew clothes anymore so I am getting rid of things I will never use. Does anyone have any tips on how I can appeal to customers?
    Emma S is offline  
    Old 10-04-2010, 09:52 AM
      #2  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Feb 2010
    Location: Ohio
    Posts: 17,068
    Default

    We're having one soon and I keep telling everyone in my family that they need to mark prices cheap!! People don't go to garage sales to spend lots of money. :D
    sueisallaboutquilts is offline  
    Old 10-04-2010, 09:54 AM
      #3  
    Power Poster
     
    amma's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2007
    Location: Out searching for some sunshine :-)
    Posts: 58,856
    Default

    Garage sales cheap, other venues you can up the prices :wink:
    Can you advertise in your local paper?
    How about getting a few neighbors to join in? Out here there is a bigger draw if you get several in the same area :D
    amma is offline  
    Old 10-04-2010, 09:55 AM
      #4  
    Banned
     
    Join Date: Nov 2009
    Posts: 2,893
    Default

    Just write a brief list of what you will be offering at your sale. Place an ad on Criag's List also since you do have some specific items.

    Be prepared for shoppers to want to pay less than what you may think things are worth.

    We just had two separate yard sales. Did great at the first one as we had more of a variety. Second one DH was nearly giving things away just so we would be able to get rid of it.

    You may also want to contact a local school - home EC or even 4-H or even a senior center to donate the fabric to if it is for sewing. They could use it.

    Good luck.
    QuiltingGrannie is offline  
    Old 10-04-2010, 09:57 AM
      #5  
    Super Member
     
    Quiltforme's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2010
    Location: Beautiful Washington state!
    Posts: 3,203
    Default

    Put in the paper some papers give free advertising to garage sales. Craigslist get people also.
    Quiltforme is offline  
    Old 10-04-2010, 10:23 AM
      #6  
    Super Member
     
    Maride's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Sep 2008
    Location: New York, NY
    Posts: 2,735
    Default

    I would say to only do it if you live in a busy road or if the sale will be huge. I lived in a street with moderate traffic and garage sales were always slow until I advertised on the paper (We have adds a free section), made the sale huge with two other families and listed thinks like bicycles, air conditioners, lawn mowers, and real expensive items that made people come to see if they are still available. The bike was sold as soon as I opened the door but people kept coming all day long asking about it, and ended up picking up a few things since they were already there.
    Maride is offline  
    Old 10-04-2010, 03:00 PM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    mom-6's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2010
    Location: Texas
    Posts: 6,395
    Default

    If you are doing it expecting to make a fairly good amount of money, you need to have several fairly big ticket items...furniture, appliances, etc. that you can sell for more than the usual $1-$5 (and mostly under a $1) garage sale pricing. Also if you consider it an estate sale, you can usually get by with pricing things as much as double or more what you would for a garage sale. Then have things at half price on the afternoon of the second day.
    mom-6 is offline  
    Old 10-04-2010, 03:48 PM
      #8  
    Super Member
     
    ptquilts's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jun 2010
    Location: Vermont
    Posts: 7,044
    Default

    put prices on everything!! I HATE having to ask, how much is this, how much is that....
    ptquilts is offline  
    Old 10-04-2010, 04:09 PM
      #9  
    Super Member
     
    AliKat's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Apr 2007
    Location: Phoenix, AZ
    Posts: 2,943
    Default

    Don't forget to notify any SEWING guilds. They will gladly help you out.

    When I wanted to dispose of some of my sewing items I called a local community center where they teach sewing to youngsters and adults. They took it all and I got the tax write-off.

    ali

    ali
    AliKat is offline  
    Old 10-05-2010, 07:29 AM
      #10  
    Super Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Emma S's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jun 2010
    Location: Roseburg, OR
    Posts: 2,976
    Default

    Thanks everyone for your advice. What would you charge for a yard of fabric?
    Emma S is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    ScrappyAZ
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    35
    04-06-2014 09:51 AM
    Hosta
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    14
    10-29-2011 07:31 AM
    hopetoquilt
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    3
    09-18-2011 08:19 PM
    craftybear
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    12
    10-04-2010 07:15 PM
    bearisgray
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    39
    05-16-2010 01:13 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter