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CHARLES HAYNIECall it a garage sale. Call it a yard sale. The purpose is the same: Free yourself of unwanted stuff - and enjoy doing it.
This is the perfect time of year for a garage sale. The convergence of perfect weather and spring cleaning generates boxes of clothes, toys, household items and furniture that we just can't stand to look at another year.
There are three options for dealing with unwanted stuff: toss it, sell it or donate it. Toss the stuff that is broken, has missing parts or is of no use.
If you don't have much to sell, think about donating or selling through someone else's sale.
But if you have a garage bursting at the seams, put in a little work and you will gain back the space and put money in your pocket. A quick tour through the house will provide a sense of scope for your project. Call it what you like: a garage sale, a yard sale or a tag sale.
(In Florida, we get the added incentive of seasonal visitors who love to shop almost as much as they love a bargain. Maybe we should have these sales on Earth Day, April 22: They could be considered the original recycling centers.)
One word of warning: If you don't enjoy garage sales, think twice: They do require work. No matter how much money you make, if you don't like making small talk with bargain hunters and negotiating prices, it will be a long weekend. Plenty of people do just fine making a detailed list of their items, donating them to a charity and writing them off at tax time.
Lessons learned
To make some money and avoid regret about how you spent your weekend, work ahead and keep a few rules in mind:
* A little advertising goes a long way. Don't overlook putting an ad in the newspapers, the big ones as well as the neighborhood shoppers and weeklies.
* Put up large signs and the date of your sale a few days ahead to direct people from the main roads at every turn. Include the street address on your signs, but, more importantly, put a big arrow on them to guide shoppers to your sale. (Remove the signs after your sale. Remember, we're eliminating clutter here, not creating more.)
* Urge your neighbors to have a sale at the same time. Nothing brings the browsers like the idea of numerous bargain possibilities.
* You may call it a garage sale, but don't let that mislead you on where to have it. Put everything out in the driveway or on the lawn, not in the garage. People spend less time looking at items hidden in the garage. They particularly avoid those items directly in front of the seller's chair. Don't play security guard. The only thing you need to keep secure at a garage sale is the money. Wear a cheap carpenter's apron to keep your hands free.
* If you do have the garage open, or you've arranged items under a carport, cover things you don't want to sell with a tarp or sheet. This keeps you from having to tell people, "No, the mower isn't for sale." If it isn't covered or tied down, they will ask.
The price is right
Put prices on everything. Some stores sell preprinted price tags. Shoppers get tired of asking what things cost; if you want to sell it, put a price on it. You shouldn't have to be consulted about the price of each item unless buyers want to offer less, which they will.
The other option is to post a large sign indicating a price for all similar items. For example: "All jeans $3." If you aren't sure how to price a large item, tag it: "Make offer."
Learn from the chain stores that price low and move products in volume, and the day will go faster.
Most shoppers at garage sales tend to buy more items at lower prices rather than one or two that are more expensive. The only real exception here is furniture, which may call for a comparatively higher price. This does not mean that a $1,000 couch should get a $500 price tag. Something a bit closer to a 90 percent reduction will apply if it is in good condition, so you might consider a $100 tag.
Garage sales are a way of putting a little cash in your pocket for giving away things you don't want or need. These are items that have outlasted their functionality, so you should be glad to see them go at whatever fraction of their original price.
Make it a pleasure to shop
Set a good mood for browsing. Turn on a radio with something pleasant such as oldies, especially if the radio is for sale. Some people give away cookies or offer free coffee or let their children sell cold drinks or bottled water.
Set up a table for electronics with an extension cord so that shoppers can see for themselves if that old TV or radio works.
Set up as many tables as you can. Create makeshift tables with sawhorses.
Don't pile clothes on the ground; it looks messy. A clothesline isn't really the answer either; clothing on hangers is very heavy and will drag down a rope quickly. Best choice, if you've got one or can borrow it: a rolling clothes rack, the sort of thing you might use for guest coats at a party or storing out-of-season clothes.
Keep yourself busy on sale day making shopping and browsing as easy as possible, straightening the tables and moving into prominent view things that no one is noticing.
Group similar items and use signs to guide customers along: "Easter decorations," "Women's clothing" or "Toys." Items people can use soon, such as Easter baskets in spring or Christmas decorations in fall, are good sellers.
Don't forget to post signs reading "No Refunds or Exchanges.
Don't lose sight of the goal
Donate what you don't sell. Don't bring it back in the house. You will feel much better just letting all of those things go that have been cluttering your house. Also, by committing to this, you will motivate yourself to keep that pile left over as small as possible.
Remember why you are having a garage sale: to free yourself of unwanted stuff. Making money is only part of it.
Most of all, have a good time and enjoy all the colorful characters a sale will bring. If you do it right, people will comment on what a good sale you've put on.
Charles Haynie is one of the owners of Finding Time Professional Organizing in Tampa visit www.findingtimePO.com which arranges garage sales, among other things. Reach him at charleshaynie@findingtimePO.com