3) The Day Before The Sale
Clean-up the garage, throw trash, and sweep it clean. Remove cobwebs. Mow grass. People think your items are lower quality if everything is a mess and dirty.
Setup tables in your garage and begin to haul and setup items onto the tables. You can cover tables with old sheets if you have them to make items stand out.
Leave at least a 3 foot wide aisle between tables for buyers to browse without feeling crowded. Two people should be able to pass each other.
Create a path for buyers so you do not have dead end aisles or bump into other people.
Use old sheets, tarps, or ropes to cover shovels, shelves, mower, junk, or other in the garage that aren't for sale. This will save you having to say 100 times to buyers “Sorry that is not for sale”. Some items like a ladder can be marked "Not for Sale" with tape or a small sign.
Most garages are dark, so add lights to light the tables. Buyers can’t buy what they can’t see. Items look better when they are well lite. This is especially needed for raining or overcast days.
Organize items for men, women, or kids together with other items for men, women, or kids. Arrange items together on the tables like a big store does with departments. Have housewares, games, nic nacs, electronics, jewelry, shoes, men's clothing, toys, kid’s clothing, woman’s clothing, maternity clothing, baby clothing, sports equipment, books, outdoor, kitchen, furniture, collectibles/antiques, art, tools, garden/yard equipment, etc.
For fragile or expensive items like crystal or jewelry, display them on a sturdy table that is up high out of reach of kids and close to your checkout area, so you can easily watch it to prevent shoplifting.
Spread out items so that everything is easy to see. Don't leave items in boxes.
Try to have all your items on tables. Place items under tables if you do not have enough table space.
If you have more items than will fit on tables inside the garage, plan to setup larger items outside the day of the sale. For the tables outside the garage, have clear plastic or tarps ready to cover the tables if it rains. You do not want to scramble looking for plastic when it starts to rain. Also many rain showers pass over and you can remove the plastic and be back in business in minutes. Wet items do not sell.
Set aside a card table or patio table with chairs that will be used as your checkout table.
Position it where buyers enter your sale so you will have a good view of buyers as they come and go. Don’t put it in the back of the garage. You want people to come in, look around at everything and as they leave checkout.
Valuable items and jewelry should be on the table closest to your checkout table so you can keep an extra eye of them. Most people are honest, but some are not. No sense losing sales.
Have an outlet or extension cord handy to plug in electrical items and to test them. Leave as many items plugged in to so people can see them working and try them.
Check for possible tripping or cracks that buyers might encounter as they shop. Use red spray paint or put a sign to warn buyers so no one gets injured.
Put in cheap or old batteries into items that run only on batteries. You can buy cheap batteries at the Dollar store. If you don’t have cheap batteries, have some good batteries at your checkout table for buyers to use to test items, then make sure to take them out when you sell. Batteries can cost more than the item you are selling.
Hang a 10 ft pipe, roof rake pole, rope clothesline, or ladder to make an area in the garage where you can hang clothing. If the pole sticks out, wrap the ends with a small towel so buyers will not hit their head. You can also hang a pole or rope between trees or from rafters in the garage. Sort items by type, size, or season so people can find items easily.
Label or create a small sign for items that are unique or that people may not know what it is. If people do not know what it is, they will not buy it.
If you have kids, they can sell coffee, cookies, hot cider, pop, lemonade, or bars during the sale. Bake or mix what you plan to sell. The kids should have their own table, chairs to sit, and cash box or change. It's a great way to teach kids entrepreneurism.
If it is a neighborhood sale, have at least 50 copies of the map to hand out. If neighbors on your block are also selling that day, be sure to inform buyers what other sales are close by.
If there is any chance of rain the day of the sale, have tarps or clear plastic ready to cover items up that are outside.
Take photos of the garage layout and items for sale. These can help when you setup for your next sale.
Have a Free box or table near the road where people enter the sale.
