Garage Sales for Noobs!

Every night, after everyone in the house has gone to bed, I lie awake and listen to the timbers of our North End home strain against the pressure caused by the sheer amount of useless carp my wife and I have acquired over the years.

It's time for a garage sale!

I'm embarrassed to admit that we've never held one before. I figure all we need to do is plunk our junk on tables in the front yard and put up a few signs on McPhillips, but I'm curious to know if there are other places people advertise their sales - is there a newspaper classifieds section for garage sales? A message board?

Any other tips on getting the word out that are effective, or tips for success at these things? I figure being in the South Maples (North End), we'll probably do fine without any signage whatsoever, but I thought I'd ask around!

First...it goes in the Buy, Sell & Repair section here (moved it for you)

Next...try:

www.usedwinnipeg.com
www.kijiji.ca

Both have "Garage/Yard Sale" sections.

Make sure you put prices on everything...ask for at LEAST 50% more than you really want for it.
Some will buy it...but most will say "will you take" and knock off about 20-30% in their offer.

Last...make sure you go to the bank and get a couple of rolls of loonies & toonies for making change.

Good luck.
Do you have a bike in there you don't want?

Also (reread your posting)...why do you have so many carp? are you that avid of fishermen? and do they sing?

kijji

http://winnipeg.kijiji.ca/f-community-garage-sales-W0QQCatIdZ102


but really mantha you live so close to McPhillips.. just put a sign out Saturday morning real early... Make sure to put one on mcphillips and one at the East side cross street as well. Make sure to take them in Saturday night and then put them back out Sunday morning.



Have change... LOTS of change. Get a change skirt type thingy... you do not want to use a lockbox... way way to easy to steal and get distracted from.

For the record, I'm not promoting it, just asking for help and tips, and so far both your suggestions have been great!

I DID have a bike, but gave it to my neighbor for free! It needed a lot of work, and he has a buddy who would fix it up real nice... Strangely enough, there's no way I would have ANY carp as I'm icthyophobic... (no joke!)

The big thing is to not over-think it.

Having tables "organized" or sorted neatly just makes you look too anal about it. It's all going to get picked through anyway.

"Tables" (unless you're selling them) should be sheets of plywood spread across a couple of trash cans. Or some old card tables you don't need/want anymore.

Easiest "setup" if you have the room, is to put all your stuff on the sides of a driveway/yard with open walking area in the middle. You basically just stand in the middle (or sit if you must) and let people meander around and bring things to you for purchase.

The apron thing is a great suggestion, and helps identify you as the person running the sale.

As far as taking the signs down...that's not necessary...just put them up on Friday, take them down late Sunday.

they will dissappear quickly in Manthas area. or worse yet... identify his house as the house to "attack" the garage in the middle of the night.

you don't put your address on the sign...just the street and an arrow.

so... you have that sale this weekend mantha?


Any comic books in that sale?