Do we need it for the life we’re living now? Not, “will we use it now that we’ve found it again,” but do we have an immediate need to integrate it into our life routine? If not, it’s time to go.
If exercise equipment has only served as a laundry drying rack for
years...it‘s time to go.
Do we use it? If you had a nickel for every piece of exercise equipment you bought with the intention of waking up at 5 a.m. to start each day with an hour long sweat, you’d have retired long ago. If the only role a piece of equipment has played in the last few years is the laundry drying
rack, then it’s time to park it out front and accept the first cash offer with a smile on your face.
Do we treasure it? There are a dozen reasons to hold onto something that brings you joy, even if that’s all it does. However, if the item you say has tremendous personal value has been languishing in a box at the far corner of the garage, buried under a VHS copy of “The Princess Bride,” the treasure is the memory, not the item. Hold the memory close and let the rest go.
Directing Traffic, and Parking Wars Clear signage around your neighborhood can be
the difference between an enthusiastic crowd or a chorus of crickets greeting your big day. Once you’ve posted your flyers and signboards nearby, get in your own vehicle and take a test drive.
Clear signage can be the difference between an enthusiastic crowd and a chorus of crickets.
Are your addresses and arrows easy to see as you drive by? Would a packet of color-coded balloons from the dollar store give your event the persuasive pop it needs to bring the cars to the yards? If your creative strategies work,
are you ready for the crowds? Garage sale attendees are infamous for blocking driveways, impeding traffic, defiantly ignoring “No Parking“ signs, and exhibiting generally clueless behavior in pursuit of bargains. Clear signage and a couple of conspicuous volunteers on traffic duty can go a long way in helping to keep the peace and ensure a successful, drama-free event.
Avoiding a Pain in the App Unless you have enough personnel and equipment
to staff a formal check-out table, complete with a stack of small bills, you’ll want to be prepared for a high percentage of cash-app transactions. Your marketing may be chock full of “CASH ONLY; ALL SALES FINAL” notices, but ultimately most customers expect flexibility. Besides, if you’ve done a good job on your local signage, you’ll capture drive-by traffic that never saw your social media posts and advertising initiatives. Be prepared for paperless transactions or risk losing out on some sales.
You’ll want to be prepared for a high percentage of cash-app transactions.
Securing the Perimeter It’s an unfortunate reality that there are organized
teams who show up at garage sales and other events with the sole purpose of stealing property. A simple and effective strategy involves one team member engaging the homeowner while others swiftly swipe merchandise while you’re distracted. Creating a full scale TSA checkpoint isn’t necessary, but you’ll want sufficient volunteers to help manage the crowd and keep a watchful eye on goods and shoppers alike.
Expect insultingly low offers, especially near the end of the day.
But I Can Find It Cheaper Online You should expect insultingly low offers on
some items, especially near the end of the day. Late afternoon visitors know you’re tired of haggling and will attempt to capitalize on your fatigue. Don’t take it personally, and don’t hesitate to counter-offer or just say no. The goal of a garage sale is to make a few dollars while moving serviceable items along to new owners. A dollar or two in hand is better than yet another item to haul to Goodwill.
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