How to Hold a (Diva) Garage Sale

An excerpt from Tossed & Found by Barb Tobias, America’s “ Thrift Talk” Diva

It was a Diva of a Sale!

Part I

Selling used goods from driveways, yards, or inside a home has been referred to as garage sales, yard sales or tag sales. People hold these weekend events to raise money or get rid of unwanted stuff. Although these sales are a lot of work, they are a great way to purge, turning unwanted items into profits.

The following schedule outlines how to chunk down tasks so that preparations are organized … and doable. With this parceled approach, the magnitude of a project does not have to be overwhelming.

A Diva of a Sale

Two Months Before the Garage Sale

I’ve learned to set the dates of my sales by considering the financial mindsets of my customers. They are typically scheduled for the 15th or 30th day of the month. Paydays! People are more likely to splurge after they’ve been paid versus the weeks they walked around with no money in their pocketbooks. After all, my goal is to attract buyers not window shoppers.

Two Weeks before the Sale

The transformation of my garage into my Diva Shoppe begins.

• The entire garage is rearranged. All the things that are not being sold are moved to the back of the garage.
• Areas that are off-limits are draped with sheets or tablecloths so that people won’t be tempted to examine items that are not for sale. I have learned that this ounce of preventions averts distractions, saving time once the garage sale is in full swing.
• The garage is then cleaned from top to bottom.
• Next, display tables are set in a u-shaped pattern, allowing for an easy traffic flow. People should be able to walk around and examine the merchandise without tripping over things. Sometimes a row of tables is placed right down the middle depending on the room I have.
• Each table is topped with a  pretty tablecloth or piece of fabric.
• Next I haul out my boxes and stack the labeled containers that hold similar contents next to each other.
• I love to create scenes at my sales, so I place the same type of items, kitchen, family room, household, décor, clothing or toys in groupings so that I can pull the items out of the marked boxes and make my arrangements quickly.
• My next project defines a labor of love. Tables are arranged attractively, with attention to every detail.  I go to great lengths to create eye-catching “tablescapes.” My reasoning is simple.  People like to shop in pleasant surroundings despite the fact that they are shopping at a garage sale.
• Furniture is arranged in scenes or quasi rooms. In turn, each area is festooned with accessories, throw pillows, pictures and silk plants to create a warm inviting designer look.

Over time, it was obvious that my extra effort spent pulling together artful arrangements and furniture groupings resulted in heavier traffic and substantial sales.

Watch for the Diva Garage Sale – Part II

This is a Garage Sale?

Selling used goods from a driveway, a garage, a yard, or the interior of a home has been referred to as a garage sale, yard sale, or tag sale.  Typically these events are held to get rid of unwanted household items with the secondary benefit of raising money.

I contend that every sale should be approached in the opposite way because people are usually motivated by positive results.  Therefore creating abundance should be the primary goal.  Along the way, the process can even be enjoyable, cathartic, or rejuvenating.

• The benefit to purging a home is often seen as much as it is felt.  When a homeowner bites the bullet and does a thorough organization and purging of their things, magical things happen.  Their home is organized, soothing space is created, and the overall feeling of orderliness takes over.  The results are often tangible.  A feeling of well being pervades the home, inviting inhabitants and visitors alike to a warm and inviting welcome.
• Setting up the sale should be viewed as a study in creativity.  People like to shop, and tend to buy more items when they are surrounded with interesting items that are beautifully arranged.  Take the time to arrange furniture in rooms, and make attractive table arrangements.  The time spent doing this creative arranging is rewarded by a more profitable return for your time.

• The actual sale should be a festive, friendly occasion.  Friends are a great help and often will bring their own things to sell at the sale.  A community effort is a lot of fun. Helping hands reduce the burdens involved with running a sale alone and there are more people to assist customers and keep an eye on the merchandise.

The entire process from start to finish can be truly cathartic…and profitable.