9 Ways to Host a Successful Garage Sale

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If your garage is overflowing with items you no longer use, try these tips to host a successful garage sale!

How to host the perfect yard sale

I don’t know how it happens, but somehow we accumulate enough stuff in our lives to have an annual garage sale. Since the time we met, Ryan and I have probably hosted at least ten yard sales, and I like to think we’ve become pretty good at it.

We’ve got it down to a science, so that it takes minimal work for maximum success — some money in our pocket, a cleaned-out house, and actually even a little bit of a good time.

After our last garage sale I thought it might make a fun post to share all of our secret tips for making them a great success!

Be sure to also check out this post about shopping yard sales and how to find the very best stuff!

And sign up below for my VIP group, where I’ll send more of my very best ideas straight to ya.

The Best Day and Time for a Garage Sale

We used to run our yard sales Saturday and Sunday from 7-1. After a few years, we realized that Sundays were a total bust. Very few customers and even fewer sales.

And the goal of any garage sale, as we all know, is to get rid of stuff.

So we moved to Friday and Saturday from 7-noon. That was a little better.

But our last two yard sales, we decided we only wanted to sell on one day. So we blitzed it on Friday only and stayed open until we ran out of stuff. Which was about 7-1 anyway.

Turns out people love a yard sale on a Friday! I highly recommend trying a Friday in your area to see if it’s successful for you as well.

How to Publicize Your Yard Sale or Garage Sale

About three or four days ahead of time, publicize your sale.

We always list it on Craigslist and on our local area in the Nextdoor app. You could also share your sale on Facebook, Instagram, or other social media if you’re comfortable with that.

I have a “Close Friends” list on Instagram that I often use to publicize personal events like garage sales.

Lots of people research yard sales ahead of time, so be sure to put together a well-written ad when you publicize. Include details like dates, times, location, and any items that you’d like to feature.

Make Great Garage Sale Signs

Make a few signs to put up around the neighborhood. Be sure you can read them from the street as you drive by in a car.

As a yard sale shopper, I’m always drawn to signs that include bright colors, clear writing, and concise information.

Ours just say “YARD SALE” with an arrow pointing in the direction of our house, and our address is on the bottom of the signs.

Put these up after dark the night before your sale and place them on busy streets to guarantee some extra traffic. Be sure to take them down when you’re done selling, or people will continue to drive by.

Also, save the signs for next time!

How to Prepare Garage Sale Items

Nobody likes a yard sale with dirty stuff, so clean it up!

Dust it, wipe it down, launder it. Whatever it takes, make sure it’s clean and functioning properly if you’re going to sell it.

Pricing Items

The best way to price items for a yard sale is to use these price stickers on every item you’re selling so that there’s no question about how much stuff costs.

I find that people are more likely to buy if they have an idea of cost up front.

It also saves you a huge amount of time and effort to have everything priced ahead of time, rather than fielding questions over and over from customers.

Arranging Tables for a Yard Sale

I like shopping at yard sales that are really well organized, so I organize our sales as best I can.

Electronics go on one table, decor on another table, and so on.

Put your more expensive/small items somewhere where you can keep an eye on them! We’ve had our fair share of jewelry and electronics walk away from our sales without us knowing.

Keep Lots of Cash on Hand

Make sure you have change! We usually have a few tens, a few fives, and 20 ones or so to start.

And if someone asks you to break a hundred first thing in the morning… don’t.

Make it Enjoyable

Greet your customers! Lots of people like to yard sale for the social aspect, so be prepared to chat.

On the other hand, some people just like to browse and bounce. Either way, say hello, thank you, and goodbye.

Also, we always like to have some music playing while people look around! Having some music playing provides a friendly vibe and passes the time.

Donate Leftover Itmes

When you’re done, you’re bound to have some things leftover. Take all of the worthwhile items and donate it to a place like Goodwill, Salvation Army, or Habitat for Humanity.

Hope these garage sale tips help you have a successful sale! xoxo

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