GARAGE SALES

Garage sales are a way to make money as an individual, as a neighborhood, or as an organization. It does require a great deal of work and preparation as we have outlined in "Fundraising 101", but it can be fun and profitable. The following advise from Nikki Willhite will add additional points. You must advertise your garage sale if you want people to come. Place ads in the paper, and post your signs in prominent places a few days before the sale. Use balloons to draw people to your home.
Get lots of help. You need other eyes and hands when it gets busy.
Try and get your neighbors to join with you. Multi-family garage sales are better attended.
Display your items as attractively as possible. Take the time to clean, dust and mend if needed. Bring as much as you can to eye level, as people don't like to bend. Keep your items organized and sorted so shoppers can quickly find what they want. If you are selling clothing, string ropes or chain to hang clothes.
Mark all items with the prices clearly visible, as some people don't like to ask. When someone makes you an offer, if you don't like it counter with another offer.

Keep your money close to you. Wear a purse across your body or a fanny pack. Have plenty of change. If you decide to take checks, ask for ID, and look to see how high the check number is. This can be an indication of stability, although some banks now let you choose your own beginning check number when you open a new account.

Do not take large bills that require you giving someone a lot of change. If someone gives you a hundred dollar bill that is not real, and buys one small item, you will give away all your profit. This is a known "garage sale scam."

Be realistic in your pricing. For large items in good condition, a good rule of thumb is to charge half the cost of what if would cost new.

If someone makes you an offer at the beginning of your sale that you are not ready to take, ask for his/her phone #. You can always call them later and accept their offer.

Have fun, make money, and find those bargains!

FUNDRAISING FUN 101

As you can see, we have been away an extented period of time. Much of that time has been getting our ebook ready for distribution. It is now available and can be ordered by clicking on the book on this blog. We will be reviewing some of the information in the book in future blogs. Welcome and good fundraising.