You're finally cleaning out your garage and you have a ton of stuff to get rid of. Instead of just throwing it all away, why not hold a garage sale? 

Hosting a garage sale is a great way to clean out your home and make some extra money. But before you can start raking in the cash, there are a few things you need to do to get ready. Here's what you need to know to have a successful garage sale:

How To Do A Garage Sale

1. Obtain a permit

Depending on your city or town's regulations, you may need to obtain a permit in order to have a garage sale. This is typically only required if you'll be blocking any public sidewalks or roadways, so be sure to check with your local government before applying for a permit.

2. Choose a date and time

The first step is to pick a date and time for your sale. If you're having it on a weekend, Saturday is usually the best day. Early morning or late afternoon are the best times since most people are free then and will be out running errands or doing other activities.

3. Collect your items

Start by going through your entire house and gathering up anything that you don't use or need anymore. Clothes, toys, books, furniture, appliances, and other household items are all fair game. If you're having trouble deciding what to get rid of, ask yourself if you've used the item in the past year. If not, it's probably time to let it go.

4. Price as you collect

As you're going through your things, start pricing them as you go. This will save you time later on and make it less likely to forget to price something. Use stickers, tags, or markers to clearly write the prices on each item.

5. Post a garage sale poster

A simple but effective way to advertise your garage sale is to post a poster on your street or in the nearby neighborhood. You can make your own, or you can use an online tool like Canva that will help you create one for free.

6. List your garage sale online

In addition to putting up physical signs, you can also list your garage sale online on sites like Craigslist or GarageSaleFinder. This is a great way to reach a wider audience and ensure that people who are interested in finding garage sales in your area will be able to see yours.

7. Make sure you have enough boxes and tables

For a garage sale to run smoothly, you're going to need enough boxes and tables. As you price your items, gather them up in piles of similar things—like all the books on one table and all the toys on another. This will help potential shoppers see what they want more easily, instead of having to sift through a huge mess.

8. Arrange tables neatly

When beginning to set out your tables, try to arrange them so that everything looks neat and organized. Put like-items together (all the shirts together, or all the tools in one place) for easy shopping. You could even get creative with this by using color-coding or other themes depending on what works best for you!

9. Give some thought to where you'll put larger items

Large items like furniture can be a bit more difficult to arrange, but it's important to think about where you'll put them so they don't block vital walkways or exits. You may want to put these items near the entrance of your garage so people can easily see them as they come in.

10. Gather your supplies

You’ll also need to gather all the things you need for your garage sale. This includes plastic bags or boxes to hold items, tables, and canopies (if needed), as well as tags, signs, and any other necessary tools.

11. Prepare plenty of change

Be sure to prepare plenty of small bills and change. This will make it easier for people to buy items, and prevent any pricing confusion.

12. Set up a spot for people to make payments

You will also want to have a designated place for people who are paying for their items with cash so that it is easy for them and doesn’t slow down the rest of the process. If you are using a credit card machine or accepting checks, make sure to keep these things under lock and key while your sale is going on.

13. Be prepared for hagglers

Many garage sale shoppers will try to negotiate on prices, so be prepared for it. If you really don't want to budge on a certain item, make that clear from the start. But if you're open to negotiating, be willing to haggle a bit to make a sale.

14. Have fun!

Once everything is set up and advertised, all that's left to do is wait for shoppers to arrive! On the day of your garage sale, be sure to get there early to make sure everything is set up correctly and that you're ready to greet your first customer. 

Try to stay organized so you can help people quickly and easily find what they need. As shoppers arrive, be sure to smile and be friendly as much as possible. That way, they'll remember how helpful you were later on when they're telling their friends about your garage sale!

Etiquette for Garage Sale

Now that you know how to have a garage sale, it's time to learn the etiquette! There are a few key things to remember when having a garage sale:

1. Be polite to your customers - they're the ones spending their hard-earned cash at your sale!

2. Keep your prices reasonable - no one likes overpriced goods.

3. Don't haggle too much - remember, you're trying to get rid of stuff, not make a profit!

4. Be prepared for early birds - set up your sale the night before so you're ready for those early risers.

5. Make sure your goods are in good condition - no one wants to buy damaged or broken items.

Conclusion

At this point, it's time to say goodbye to all of your old stuff and make a little money in the process!

Now that you know how to do a garage sale, it's time to get started! Remember to price your items fairly, advertise your sale, and be prepared for a busy day. With a little bit of effort, you can clear out your clutter and make some extra cash. Happy selling!