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City Wide Garage Sales: Hidden Riches! |
by:
Randy Wilson |
City Wide Garage Sales:
Most of us remember going to at least one garage sale in our lives. It may have been called a yard sale, garage sale or flea market. The name didn’t matter it was all the same. Other people selling what they thought was trash to people who thought the items were treasures.
Those people who find treasures are the people who feel euphoria at the sight of garage sales. These people need to look at these garage sales in a new light. You can take this overwhelming urge and profit from it in several ways. You just have to find the way that suits you best.
Before going too far in this endeavor, check with your local government regarding laws and regulations of garage sales. Some places state that if you have more than a certain number of garage sales, like more than five, you have to claim all money made as income. Other places have no stipulations and regulations.
Once you have this knowledge, it is time to start. You may want to ask some of your friends who also enjoy going to city wide garage sales to join your adventure, or you may just want to keep it solo. The choice is completely yours.
Start by cleaning out your own home. As you go though it, price each piece. Place all the items together in one area. By pricing the items now, you will save some time later for your city wide garage sale.
Call your local newspaper and place an ad to run on Thursday and Friday. Make sure you state in the ad the date, times, location, and any specialty items you have. Always set the time for 30 minutes later than you actually want it. This way the people will start arriving when you want and not 20 to 30 minutes before.
The day before the city wide garage sale, put up signs around the main roads in your community. Make sure the poster board is a light color and that you use a large tip black marker for your lettering. Include the times, date and address of the garage sale. You may also want to preset your items on tables and hanger in the garage for a quick start in the morning.
During the sale, hand out flyers announcing that you will be having other garage sales at intervals. Mention that new items will be for sale at each of the city wide garage sales. Hopefully, your customer will tell other people about your upcoming garage sales too. You can take the remaining flyers and put them in local stores and community bulletin boards, just remember to always ask first.
When the city wide garage sale is over pack up what is left and place it in a designated area. Take down your signs and count your money. Take the money that you initially put in for change, and then take change out for the next sale. Use the remainder to purchase more items at city wide garage sales in the weeks between your garage sales. Mark the new items as soon as you get them home, and place them with the rest of the items. Repeat this cycle as often as you like.
Another option is to rent space at a local flea market. Many people do not like to do this because of the need to haul the items back and forth. However, if you live in an apartment or in an out-of-the-way area, this may be the perfect solution.
You can also have online garage sales. In this instance, you sell the items as you wish, and can continue year round. There is no getting up early or setting anything up and taking it down. It is almost completely virtual.
Many garage sales online have blossomed into online auction sites, such as Amazon.com and eBay. There are printed books, e-books, periodicals, and classes to teach you how to make money on these sites. These virtual online garage sales can be done at anytime of day or night and anytime of year. Online garage sales may be the wave of the future.
Whichever you decide to do, or if you decide on a combination of the two types of garage sales, you will always have items to sell. City wide garage sales are constantly going on in some area, but auctions, estate auctions, and thrift stores are also good hunting grounds for items to sell on your garages sale online or in your front yard.
It is a little work to get it started but the more you do the more you will understand the mechanics of these sales, what sells and what doesn’t, and how much to ask. In no time, you will be making money in your front yard and online garage sales.
© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.
About the Author
Randy is owner of Profitable Home Businesses. Randy owned and operated a very successful storefront/mailorder business from 1988 to 2003. Currently full time owner/operator of several online businesses.
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