The Sailor's Wife

Ok so today is WFMW (backwards edition)....so I will be asking the question instead of posting helpful tips.  This is my first go around on WFMW over at ROCKS IN MY DRYER.  Check her out....I just love her site.

Ok on to the questions

1- We are planning a garage sale and I am looking for tips as far as set up,pricing,advertising etc.

2- As some of you know I am in the process of setting up my new website and am need of SERIOUS HELP and for free! Are there any sites I can go to for help?  Is there a website or something that can help me? And as always I will ask are there any volunteers?!

www.thenavywife.com

Ok I am off to straighten up the house and figure out what I am going to fix for Savanah for a snack when she gets home.  I am kinda hungry myself!

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• #6 Comment from lv2trnscrb 
  3/5/08 7:27 PM | Permalink

  I haven't had a garage sale in Southern California in years, but had a very successful garage sale before we moved back here when we were living in Montana.  I basically sold 90% of our stuff within the first few hours of the sale; I did small things, clothes, books, stuffed animals odds and ends for 25 cents each, bigger items I marked if they were worth something (like furniture, nice odds and ends, etc) or bigger items went for 50 cents. I advertised in our local paper and I lived on a corner of a busy street at the time so I got a lot of people driving buy. If someone said something was too high on an item, I asked them what they thought was reasonable and we came up with a price in between. My main purpose was to get rid of the stuff I didn't want to move and make some money in the process and I didn't want to take the time to price each item.
  
  we just used what tables we had, card tables, etc and I grouped things in boxes if I ran out of table space; if people wanted a particular thing, they would sort through the boxes I had to see what was in there
  
  sorry, clueless on web sites, hope the other commenters were able to help you
  
  have fun at the garage sale :)
  
  betty
• #5 Comment from toireasaadair 
  3/5/08 6:18 PM | Permalink

  What kinda help do you need? Graphics? Web layout? HTML? I don't mind helping you if I am able to. I've done a few websites for others before. You can contact me here: http://www.mydesignstreak.com/?page_id=180
  
  :)
• #4 Comment from sunnybethe 
  3/5/08 6:15 PM | Permalink

  I am our Association's Garage sale organizer.  As far as selling things go...the rule of thumb is if you are seeing at a flea Market the price should be 25-50% or the original price.  Garage sales, 10 % of the original price. Unless they are used baby clothes.  Some people don't mind slightly soiled for 25 cents.  Immaculate go for more.  Grandparents and parents are willing to pay $10-15 for Fisher-Price for those cute stoves, cars. Play Yards are the usual 10% or 10-20 bucks depends on wer and tear.  Car seats are a big seller anytime..parents and grandparents always need an additional car seat for the 2nd car. I usually charge $25 for those.
  ~I advertise on Craig's List (Free) and the free neighborhood newpaper...the flyer.  They only require a fee if you are advertising something such as a couch, car, etc for more than $250.00.
  ~Be prepared for people to want to talk you down...it's part of the game (they say), they want to get the bst price and some   obnoxious people find satisfaction in just getting you to give in.  Sometimes I think it's a control thing.  If you feel like they are asking the ridiculous, let them walk away.
  ~I had a lady come once who was looking for childrens winter coats...they wer immaculate, high end brand name, and cost me $150 brand new.  I was asking $20.  She came on Saturday, tired to alk me down.  Then returned on Sunday and offerd me $2.50 each.  I told her I might as well donate them to the Battered Women's Shelter...and I did.
  ~Also, I run garage sales on Fridays 10-4, Saturdays 9-1.  No Sundays..anyone who is willing to buy will come Fri or Sat.  Sunday, they want things for FREE.  And count on when you advertise a designated time for the sale to begin, antique hunters will show up at least an hour early!  And they are a real pain.
  AND...do not put your phone number in the paper.  The paper will ask you...those pesky an
• #3 Comment from my3gifts 
  3/5/08 2:00 PM | Permalink

  Here's my tips for garage sells...one it's all about getting rid of the items, not about making a huge profit (if you do that's a plus, but you shouldn't be looking to make some huge profit), people who are garage selling are looking at finding DEALS! So clothing, kids clothing should be priced imo $2.00 and lower. Furniture that really depends on one the shape it's in, what it is, etc. Say a couch that is in nice but used condition $50.00 or less. A solid wood table that's in great condition $100.00. Tablewear (plates, etc) for a whole set depending on the condition, say if they're in great condition you could charge $5-10.00. Ok so that's it on pricing.
  
  As far as set up....get tables if you can, see if your church would allow you to borrow them. If you can find a place to hang up clothing that's always nice. Have the prices on your items displayed easily. If you have a lot of things priced the same, group them together and you can just put a sign on the table stating that everything's $1.00. Also let them know your prices are negotiable.
  
  Post signs around the area you live, if you're allowed and maybe find out how much it costs to place an ad in your local paper. If you're allowed put up a flier at your NEX.
  
  Oh make sure you have change! Get at least $20.00 worth of ones, a few Fives, and a roll of quarters.
  
  Enjoy! No help at all on the website, but I have checked it a few times and look forward to you getting it done!
  
  Hugs
  Christy
• #2 Comment from breakaway1968 
  3/5/08 1:52 PM | Permalink

  Ok what are some things you need to know about your website?  Anything specific?  I can ask hubby to see if he can help you out.  Not sure how much he will be able to help but I know he would answer questions.