Collect Items

You can never start too early when it comes to collecting items for a garage sale. Keep a large box in your basement or a closet for garage sale items all year long. During the year as you come across an item you no longer need or want, throw it in the box. Be sure to mark the items before they go in the box. Marking your items will take longer than you think. Don't leave it until the last minute. If you do, you may be up very late the night before your sale!

Advertise

You'll want to include the following information in your ad: Date and times of the sale, your address, and special items you have for sale that will draw customers. Be sure to mention specific items that are in demand (Little Tikes toys; collectibles; furniture items). If you're selling kids' clothing, list the sizes you have.
Make sure that you have signs strategically placed in your community. Place them in high-traffic intersections within a few miles of your home. If you live in the boonies, include directions in your ad. Use bright (yellow or lime green work well), paper with BIG lettering. Using your home printer works well, since the ink in laser printer/copiers won't run in the rain. Staple your bright, easy-to-read sign to cardboard for stability. Drive by your own signs to make sure that they are visible from a distance.

Price Your Items

Mark every item. Groups of similar items like books or videocassettes are an exception; it might be easier to just mark them 25 cents each rather than mark each one. Items such as this are also great to offer a deal: 25 cents each or 5 for $1. A general guideline is to price items at 1/4 or 1/5 of the retail price. However, this is a VERY general guideline. Clean and repair your toys. It is amazing how much more money a shiny toy will bring than a dull, dingy one. When pricing, use quarter-dollar increments. Making change will be much easier.

A Note on Clothing

I've found that people are willing to spend good money on quality kids' clothing at garage sales, but not adult clothing. If you have a lot of adult clothing that is in good condition and still in style, consider taking it to a consignment shop instead. Kids' clothing can sell anywhere from $1 to $5. If it's stained, however, don't mark it more than a quarter.

Make it a Group Thing

Invite friends to join you. You'll be able to advertise a wider variety of merchandise and attract more shoppers. You can split the cost of the ad and take turns at the checkout counter. Plus, you'll have more fun that way! You may also want to recruit neighbors for a block-wide sale.

Display Your Stuff

Arrange to have plenty of clothing racks and tables. People won't want to go through piles of junk. Hang clothing if at all possible. Not only will they be easier to view; their perceived value will be higher. Be sure to put away any items you DON'T want to sell, otherwise customers will ask about them. If you have a lot of things in your garage you don't want to move, consider putting up a curtain or tarp to hide them from view. If you have a long driveway, make sure to use it. Put high-interest items on the side of your driveway (Kids' toys, Furniture, Tools (so the men will want to stop!) As your sale gets picked over, be sure to re-arrange merchandise to fill holes.

Create the Atmosphere

Have pleasant easy-listening music playing in the background; shoppers will linger longer. If your sale is on a hot day, you may want to have a large tub filled with ice and cans of pop for sale. Have proper lighting; be sure that it isn't too dark in your garage.

Open your doors!

As a courtesy to your customers, don't allow early sales. I've been to many a sale at the time they SAID they would open, only to find they opened early and the item I wanted was already gone. Don't allow people to come inside your home. Some customers may ask to use the bathroom, phone, or try on clothes. Be prepared for this, and be ready to tell them no.

Finishing Up

Be sure to remove your signs promptly. You won't want people knocking on your door after the sale is over. Now comes the fun part... counting the money!

When to have a Garage Sale:

Moving to a new home is the most common reason, but general house cleaning or reorganization can lead homeowners into rethinking about either selling or keeping old or unused items.
Only have a garage sale when there are enough items to be disposed off, otherwise it will just be a waste of your time and energy, the exception though is joining another garage sale with a neighbor or friend.
Do have a garage sale whenever you feel the need to get rid of amassed unwanted stuff and make a little extra on the side

Best time to have a Garage Sale:
Weekends are the best; especially Saturdays since most bargain hunters have this day set just for such occasions.
Although setting your sale date on a holiday may sound ideal, most people that would normally be out bargain hunting might be out of town vacationing instead.
Set a time frame for your sale, ideally, longer hours means more potential customer, but be realistic with yourself (do you really want to have a sale from 7am to 7pm?).

During the sale: We can't stress this enough. But preparedness is key to everything. Have all the little details ready to avoid hassles and lost sales such as having the following items ready

1.Have plenty of change (coins, dollar bills) Decide early on if you want to accept cash only or checks too (prefer the latter)
2.Have some extra plastic bags for small or fragile items, it isn't necessary but will make it more convenient and conducive for buyers to buy your stuff.
3.Have a power outlet, extension cords or batteries ready in case you have items that may require testing prior to selling (i.e. toys, radios, power tools, etc.)
4.Have a calculator handy to easily account for item totals or change.
5.Have all your items tagged with price labels and keep your prices to a nice round number. Also don't forget, this is a sale not a hard-sale so be ready (and price flexible) for people low-balling your items -- you can always say no thanks.
6.Presentation always has a hand to a successful sale, arrange items in a logical order, keeping smaller things in containers on tabletops while having larger or bulkier items at ground level. Place your best items or items that sell easily towards the back to force your buyers to walk through your stuff.
7.For small items, it easier to sell them bundled with similar or with other small items too ( stapler with a pack of staples or trinkets bundled in fours)
8.When selling high priced items, it is best to keep a printed product listing or a magazine depicting the original value to justify your price and also let your potential buyer know that they are getting a good deal.
9.Keep the location where you intend to have your sale clean and isolated from other things in your house that are not for sale. The front yard or garage is the best (hence garage sale). Park your vehicles clear off the driveway and position your items to be clearly visible. Not only will this prevent confusion, but also it will be conducive to passing lookers to stop by and check out your sale.
10.Although it is easier to sell things as-is, doing some cleaning and polishing beforehand will probably net you the price you want for the item as opposed to selling just junk.

After the garage sale:
Be sure to remove all the signs you have posted.
Instead of throwing out unsold items, donate them to your local charity.

CITY OF JOPLIN RULES FOR HOLDING GARAGE SALES

You are allowed to hold two garage sales in any calendar year. The sales are to be no more often than once every 60 days. There is no longer any charge for a permit for a garage sale. Check the city website for rules concerning the posting of your signs. Joplinmo.org then go to City Code of Ordinances. You can search signs from there.