Great advice from Laura. I'll add that we put up a sign saying that Sunday after 12 everything will be 50% off. Less stuff to take to GW and it still brings in some cash.
Garage sales are a lot of work. We helped with 3 then ran out of steam.
Laura-
Thanks so much for your details -- this is awesome! If you send me your address I'd love to send you a "My Parent Group Rocks" t-shirt for taking the time to provide all these helpful suggestions. Email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Our PTO does one every year. For us, it works this way:
We do it the first weekend in March annually. People around here have come to expect it. Because it's the first weekend, people have money to spend. March is a time when we at least want to think about spring/summer, even though there is typically cold weather for another few weeks, so clothing for all seasons sells (for now or later).
We have set prices for as many things as possible. Jeans for adults are $4, kids jeans are $2, hardcover books are $2, paperbacks are $1, clothing (unless otherwise marked) is $.50, etc. Pricing exceptions only saves a lot of time.
Have one person in charge per work shift. That person should be comfortable with garage sales in general and understand that this is a fundraiser.
Workers can set aside things to purchase while they are working, but the person in charge should set the prices and collect the money when they leave. If you aren't working, you don't get to shop until a set time before the sale begins. That gives people incentive to volunteer. Remember to charge the full price you've decided on, though - you don't get first pick and also a big discount. Remind everyone it's a fundraiser.
Keep a garbage can next to you when you sort through items. If it's horribly stained or smelly, just pitch it. Save happy-meal type toys in a box by the register and give them to children as they leave (or while their parents are shopping) - just as a goodwill gesture. Also sort out anything that is more valuable and put that on a table near your check-out area.
Borrow racks for clothes from local stores. Hang up anything of good quality and put a higher price on it. Don't make it too much or people won't pay, but people flock to the racks instead of the tables when they first come in, so hang as many things as you can. That also increases your profit.
We are full price from 7am to 11:30, then start marking things down to 1/2 price until 1pm. At that point we close our doors, reset the remaining merchandise in the correct areas and remove anything that is really valuable, and then reopen our doors for a bag sale. We charge $2 per brown paper sack, and we help people roll items to get more into the bags. At that point, anything that goes we don't have to pack up.
As people purchase things, we put their items into plastic grocery sacks and add a piece of colored tape to it. That tells people at the door that they have paid. We were surprised at the number of people who began to bring bags in with them to fill them, and then would head out the door with their now-free merchandise. Disappointing - but we also don't stop anyone because you've got to be desperate to steal from a rummage sale.
Invest in a price tag gun and your own racks if you like it and want to do it again. Saves a lot of hassle. We also save hangers from year to year.
Our PTO is contemplating a spring garage sale. All items would be donated and items not sold would go to a local mission. Does anyone have any guidelines?
Are there items we should not accept? Should everyone price their own item? SHould the PTO set the prices? Any suggestions to make this run smoothly would be great!
