Garage Sale Anxiety

Any Pointers? I Can Use Them

Published on August 25, 2007 By KFC Kickin For Christ In Blogging

I'm just thinking of having a huge yard/garage sale. Unlike others, this doesn't float my boat. I have years of accumulated stuff. With the kids gone we have less reason to hang onto much of it and new furniture sounds nice. In 25 years of marriage I've only had one brand new living room set which is the same set I have now. I started out with a new set I bought when I was 18 so that's what came into the marriage and after three babies had to get another set about halfway through.

I have lots to get rid of, including much furniture and sports equipment like a treadmill, x-country skis and stairstepper.

I just read a few hints on giving a garage sale. One was to start at 7 am to get the early birds while they still have cash. The other idea I liked was to start on Friday to give a jump start to the weekend. We have Friday's off so that's not a problem. Still another was to advertise on Craig's list which is free.

I've never really had a garage sale. I usually just give stuff away to whoever I think can use it. So now I'm looking for any advice as I get ready to do this in probably about a month or so. Do you have any pointers for me?

I especially have no idea on how to price stuff. I have a whole bedroom set/living room set and various other furniture and have no idea how much to put it out for. I don't want to be too high but don't want to give it away either. Well, maybe if my kids want this stuff but if not, I'm selling it all and getting new stuff on the other end. So whatever I make goes into a new living room set.

I think Amanda might like some of this stuff but the only way to get it to Ohio is if Brian flies out here, rents a truck and drives back. That may work but I've heard truck rentals are expensive. In order to do this he'd have to haul off an awful lot (which I do have to get rid of) but maybe the AF will chip in and help pay this expense since he had barely anything when he did go out the first time.

I've got about a month to think this through and get stuff out and organized in the garage. Gah! It sounds like alot of work. I have sooooo much stuff.

Anybody want a washer and dryer?

Comments

Texas Wahine

on Aug 26, 2007

As far as I know, the military won't pay for something like that, but it still might be worth it to him if it keeps him from having to buy new stuff.

We are going to have a garage sale when my husband gets back from Iraq. You might be able to look online (ebay, craiglist, etc.) and see how much similar items are selling for to give you an idea of how to price larger items. And of course, your customers are going to let you know if they think something is too high.

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Aug 26, 2007

Thanks TW.

Amanda thought or heard (was going to ask Tova) if Brian maybe could get help via the AF because when he first went out he either didn't submit an expense disbursement for moving or had a small one. They didn't really move anything other than what he carried out in his car and her mom's truck. They didn't have much. Just the stuff in his bedroom and a few things I gave him at the time. But ya, maybe he'll just come out anyway if it's worth it enough for him.

I didn't think about looking online for this and just got the idea about craiglist from a magazine.

I also thought about not even pricing stuff and letting the customers give me an offer.

Locamama

on Aug 27, 2007

I also thought about not even pricing stuff and letting the customers give me an offer.

I don't know if there are a lot of people shopping that might be hard. I also would have to really want something to ask for a price but maybe that's just me. People think that you are going to want a lot if there's no price on the item. I say price it cheap if you want it to move. I also think it's easier if you price like things alike. All books are $1, all videos $2, etc. If you think something's valuable or a collectors item, put it on ebay instead of in the garage sale.

I would say that how you display them makes a big difference. You want things to look nice not like a bunch of junk. If you can keep things off the ground that helps. Borrow some tables and keep like things together, household items, toys, clothes, books etc. If you have some big furniture place it near the curb where it can be seen by passers by. That will draw some people in that might not have stopped otherwise.

Have fun. I know some people who make enough for a vacation or some new furniture from their garage sale. They must have better things than me.

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