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":
- Clothes (especially children's clothes)
- Power Tools (saws, drills, sanders)
- Sporting Equipment (golf clubs, workout equip.)
- Bicycles (especially ones ready to ride)
- Electronics (stereos, computers)
- Toys (not broken)
- Household Items (refrigerators, irons, dishes)
- Furniture (chairs, tables, beds)
- Books (especially children's books)
- Gardening Equipment
- Jewelry (watches, rings)
- 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.
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