A well-planned garage or yard sale can give you extra space in your home, get rid of unused items, and make some money, but it needs some of the same considerations that any business needs to be successful.
A few keys things to remember:
Start early to research and plan
Promotion is key
Display items attractively
Price items right
Organize checkout
Determine the date of your sale, remembering that there are exceptions, but Saturdays are generally the best day. Those experienced in hosting garage sales believe that a well-planned one-day event will do as well as a multi-day event. Serious purchasers will look for the "new" sale, and most people don't come back multiple days.
Recognize that the first day of the sale will have the most people. Everyone will be looking for a bargain, but some of them want to purchase things for them to resell at their sales.
Advertise in local newspapers and free online classified sites like Craigslist. If several families are going together for the sale, mention that in the ad, it will be a big draw. Mention your big-ticket items like furniture, equipment, and baby items.
Garage sale signs can be purchased, or you could have them made at Office Depot or FedEx Office. Signs need large lettering, so they're easy to read without too many words on them. Remember that people will be driving when they see them. The most important information includes a Garage or Yard Sale title, address, date, and time. Directional signs are also vital, along with balloons and streamers, to attract attention.
Consider using the service Square so that you can take credit cards. The cost is 2.6% + 10¢ per swipe, and you can do it on your smartphone or iPad. You'll need to sign up at least two weeks in advance to receive your reader.
Other supplies you'll need will be:
Labels and markers for pricing items.
Newspaper and clean, grocery bags to wrap breakables.
Tables to display the items.
Unless you have an estate sale, keep your home locked. You don't want people wandering through your home while you're outside. Once you accumulate a decent sum of money, take some of it inside. Don't discuss how much money you've made during the sale or how successful it has been.
People will want to bargain; it's the nature of the game. Consider this strategy: fewer negotiations early in the sale and possibly, more toward the end of the sale to get rid of remaining items.