After some helpful advice on this bulletin board and some long conversations, my wife and I decided that our first step on our journey to the country is to simplify our lives.

We have been going from room to room collecting things we no longer use and setting them aside for a garage sale. Now, our garage has so much stuff in it that you can barely go in it (4 generations of stuff)! Two unexpected outcomes of this cleaning are our house is easier to clean and there is a sense of freeing from material possessions. Now it is time for the garage sale.

What have you done to have a successful garage sale?

-- Lorin Mumaw (netorcs@pacbell.net), April 21, 2000

Answers

Pick a weekend when a lot of other people are having garage sales, too. On the weekend when there are a lot, you'll get more people out. Make sure everything is clearly priced -- and reasonably priced. You want to get rid of this stuff, after all!! Have everything well organized, and clearly visible. People are less likely to want to spend time pawing through boxes that MIGHT have a treasure in them, as more likely it's just more junk. Clothes don't go well, except children's clothes -- be prepared to take most of the clothes to a thrift shop after the sale. Be prepared with plenty of change, and have lunch fixed and in the refrigerator, as you may not get time to stop and make something. Make sure everything is as clean and presentable as possible. If there is anything that might be an antique or a collectible, do some research and find out what it is really worth -- but don't charge the high prices in the books -- those are what you would pay buying the item from a dealer. Garage sale shoppers are looking for bargains -- and you would only get a fraction of the price if you sold the item to a dealer, anyway. For furniture items, check the local second-hand stores to see what they are asking for similar items (I have been stunned by the prices of used funiture around here -- even stuff that isn't good quality!) Again, charge less than the stores are asking. You may have to take some of the furniture to the stores later, too, though furniture sells better than a lot of other garage sale items, so it is good to know what you can expect to get there if you do sell it to them. That will give you a bottom price for your garage sale. A final piece of advice -- don't keep the stuff that is left from your garage sale -- take the useable stuff to the approriate second-hand stores, and take the junk to the dump!! Your lives will be a lot better without all that clutter (speaking as the wife of a man who is a disorganized pack-rat).

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), April 21, 2000.

Kathleen had a lot of good suggestions. I would only add that I always appreciate an electric plug-in and a willingness to have things plugged in to see if they work. I have to use up space to tell you a story-sorry. A long time ago I saw a hand mixer at a sale, it was marked 50 cents. I asked if I could plug it in. The people reluctantly allowed me. I discovered that the cord was partially severed and said "I can fix this". When they found out it could be fixed they were angry with me for only paying the 50 cents! You should have heard the muttering. I still have that mixer.

On a less pleasant note. You should keep small valuable items near you and never leave the money unattended. Unfortunately, there are people who will steal from you, as much as I hate to say it. Give clear directions to your house, and if you don't want people showing up early, your ad should say "no early birds". Be prepared to make lots of change first thing in the morning. Last but not least, don't be offended if someone offers you less than the marked price. That's just part of the game. Come back with a counter offer- or tell them that you think it's a fair price. All with a smile, of course. Most of all, have fun.

-- Peg (wildwoodfarms@hushmail.com), April 21, 2000.

You might consider marking the items down on the final day of the sale. If you have little kids, they could have a lemonade stand esp. if it's a hot day. Put out a "free box" with things you don't see a purpose for, someone else might. You'd be surprise what people will buy or take. You don't have to put eveything out on the first day, it sounds like you have lots of stuff, advertise "more items everyday". Check all pockets, purses drawers, etc. before you put them out. Have enough people helping you. Take Kathleen and Peg's advice, espically about not keeping stuff after the sale

-- Cindy (atilrthehony@yahoo.com), April 21, 2000.

WOW! Four Generations of 'stuff'!? Where do you live? I'll be right over! You might be sitting on a few little gold mines there Lorin! Please, don't have a sale until you do a little research on ebay of some of the things you have! Kitchen stuff is hot, almost anything that was for everyday use, and not intended to be a collectible has value. You might consider selling some of the things on ebay, I get top dollar for the junk I rummage up-at tag sales!

-- Kathy (catfish@bestweb.net), April 21, 2000.

Everyone had given great answers. Here's mine. Make sure you have tables that will not collapse! Hang adult clothes on a line or portable rod (I have one I use as a coat closet). It sounds like you should join up with a rummage sale or swap meet. Make sure you put the dates in your local paper, it will increase the number of people who show up. annette

-- annette (j_a_henry@yahoo.com), April 21, 2000.

Well, I was in the middle of typing my answer when suddenly it disappeared, oh the joy of computers, so here I go again.

Keep it cheap if you want the stuff to move. A good idea, especially for clothes and toys, is to put up a big sign saying, everything a quarter (or 50 cents, whatever) unless marked othewise. This will save you a lot of time marking, and the rummage salers love it. This year I have seen two rummage sales that simply said, "Nothing is marked, just give me what you think it's worth. Or "Make a donation." Some people are happy just to have you take their stuff and save them a trip to the local Goodwill or Salvation Army. Be flexible about offers. If you have something marked five dollars, let the guy have it for four. What are you going to do with the item once the sale's over? Anything that might be an antique, you might want to get appraised. Like was said earlier, you could be sitting on a goldmine. Oh, one other thing, if your house isn't on the main thoroughfare, post signs (if it's allowed in your area) clearly leading the way to your sale. And also, as was said, put it in the paper. (Many papers provide signs as a reward for advertising with them. Good luck.

-- Laurie (SUPERGS63@AOL.COM), April 21, 2000.

Great tips! I'm planning one for the first week in May. Usually the first week of the month is most successful where I live because that's when government checks are issued. Because so many live far away from town that is the date everyone shops for groceries etc. I really like the Free Box idea. About the tables with everything one price, just make sure you know where everything is and don't be upset if someone moves stuff around. You have to be prepared to be flexible. I'm just like you right now. My house is looking great, but I hate to even think of the garage. We are using the proceeds to pay for a new jungle gym set for the children. This was incentive for them to part with some of the things they aren't too attached to. After that we will donate everything to the local church yard sale scheduled the day after ours. I would like to mention one thing that hasn't been brought up. Our town has passed a city ordinance about yard sales. You must have a permit and are only allowed three per year. There is a five hundred dollar fine if you don't get the permit and the police do patrol and ask to see it. This was enacted after several homes had yard sales every weekend and were avoiding the business tax in town. (I'm sure their neighbors were tired of it too.) Great question!

-- Jennifer (acornfork@hotmail.com), April 21, 2000.

Good timing...we are having the "mother of all yard sales" tomorrow morning..our neighbors look forward to our sales..we have one every other year..I'll be getting up at 5A.M. to make a HUGE urn of coffee...we provide free coffee and donuts to the first -comers..we always have a "kids" section where everything is under a quarter..great for little ones looking for a present for an adult! We never price anything else....everybody makes an offer...if we want to quibble, we make it FUN....sometimes, we have an spontaneous auction and everybody loves that if there's a crowd...My husband will stand on the porch (all 6foot five of him) and with a straight face say "Who will be the first to bid on this spectacular bag of used rags?" This year the neighbors all know that we have sold our enormous house and are moving to a much smaller one, so folks have been letting us know for a week that they will be bringing their whole families for the last great Chasko sale...We make it FUN, and have great bargains.Two summers ago we had a two day sale and made over $7000.00...yippie !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!We also were able to see the garage floor for the first time in five years.

-- Lesley Chasko (martchas@gateway.net), April 21, 2000.

Check with your city or neighborhood association to see if they have a city-wide or neighborhood garage sale day. Plan to do it then even if you have to wait awhile. They usually bring in a LARGE crowd and enhance your chance at getting rid of everything. Sometimes dealers will come in at the end and offer to buy what left for one price (worth it just to get rid of it).

-- Vaughn (vdcjm5@juno.com), April 22, 2000.

Boy, am I a whipped puppy! Great yard sale despite the 48 degrees and the rain !!! We sold almost everything and then discovered we had forgotten a bunch of stuff out in the shed..egad, this means we do it again next Saturday!!!! Each time i have one of these, I tell myself to stop being such a pack rat...I guess I don't listen.

-- Lesley Chasko (martchas@gateway.net), April 22, 2000.