Frugal Father's Guide to Garage Sales

• Place Craigslist or other ads in the paper the day before. Headline anything in your ads that might be remotely collectable.
  
  
• Unless you want early-birds knocking on your door, plan to be outside your house a half hour before the announced time of your garage sale.
  
  
• Play some music like they do in retail stores. This will keep the atmosphere upbeat.
  
  
• Make sure you have batteries and power cords for any item that needs electricity.
  
  
• Price your items 10-20% higher and be prepared to discount items as you go. You'll feel freer to deal and even give things for free to make a sale.
  
  
• Organize and present your items on tables waste high. At a garage sale, no one wants to stoop on the ground to see something lying on the floor and placing them on tables, like in a store will make them seem more valuable.
  
  
• Consider having a grab bag of items that you'll give "free with purchase," like free books or specialty clothing, which are usually slower sellers.
  
  
• Keep extra bags and boxes on hand. If potential buyers can't carry their purchases, they might not buy as much.
  
  
• Be prepared to take unsold articles directly to the Goodwill at the end of the sale, instead of letting them pile up in the garage. Document your donation and you'll get a good tax deduction.

Keep in mind that bargain hunters look for slightly used toys for their own kids or grandchildren and these are a draw at garage sales. If you can attract as many people with children as you can, you'll have better luck selling some of the kids' clothing.

-- Paul Banas