GARAGE SALE ARTICLES

This Way to the Garage Sale (part 2)

by Don Long

Can I Really Make Any Money?

Well, that is the question, isn't it? I remember my initial response to that question: "Not enough for the trouble you have to go through." I was never so wrong about anything in my life.

First of all, the work involved was nothing compared to the financial gains ($350-$750 every time I've had a garage sale). Granted, there is some organizing of merchandise a couple of days before the sale - pricing and placement of "stuff" seems to be important. But once that's taken care of, the rest is easy. In a later chapter, I discuss the optimum placement and pricing of merchandise or "where should I put this stuff and how much should I charge?"

So now that it's been determined that money can be made, let's address what sells and what doesn't. As for what doesn't sell... nothing doesn't sell. OK, English teachers, I know, I know... what I mean, of course, is EVERYTHING sells. I've seen a toy truck with three wheels and no paint sell. It may not go for the $4.95 you originally paid for it, but it might go for 50 cents.

But you're not going to set up a sale just to make 50 cents an item; so I've developed a Top Twelve Most Often Sold And Bought Items In A Garage Sale List.

This list was compiled by some of the most respected and knowledgeable garage sale experts that I know: "Garage Sale Groupies" I call them (my in-laws, the lady who works with my wife, the PTA mom, and the guy who collects power tools and backgammon boards). These people not only go to garage sales, they plan their weekends, vacations, and retirement around them. Hopefully you'll find their list as interesting and helpful as I did.

What Sells... What Doesn't

(Top Twelve List)

As I said before, given the right price, everything will sell. However, some items sell better than others. So here is the list of the "experts":

1. Clothes (especially children's clothes)
2. Power Tools (saws, drills, sanders)
3. Sporting Equipment (golf clubs, workout equip.)
4. Bicycles (especially ones ready to ride)
5. Electronics (stereos, computers)
6. Toys (not broken)
7. Household Items (refrigerators, irons, dishes)
8. Furniture (chairs, tables, beds)
9. Books (especially children's books)
10. Gardening Equipment
11. Jewelry (watches, rings)
12. Miscellaneous (wall hangings, quilts, bedding)

«This Way To The Garage Sale» was written by Don Long and published by DK Publishing, Garland, Texas. Copyright 1995, DK Publishing, All Rights Reserved.