How To Plan A Garage Sale

Wouldn't it be nice if there were no obstacles to your walk though the garage, no clutter on the work bench, and no junk spilling out of the closets? If you haven't done it for a while, now is the time to make a clean sweep. On a fair weather weekend you can parlay your cast-offs into cash! In this article I will share some of my tips for having a successful garage sale.

Step 1: Create a plan.

Give yourself plenty of time to get your "inventory" ready. 1 - 2 weeks of planning is ideal. That allows time for active preparation, and time to relax so you're not drained before the big day.

Create a plan for identifying items to sell. Jewelry, collectables, large and small appliances, furniture, garden tools, hand and power tools, electronics, toys, games, books, baking and cooking utensils, baby items, clothing, camping stuff, fishing poles and fishing reels are things folks are looking for.

Get a box and start in one area of the house, yard, or garage. Collect and box your items there before moving on to a new area. Labeling the contents of your boxes will help you later to set up a well organized display.

Step 2: Get organized.

Get the neighborhood involved. An organized community garage sale will drive more buyers to your sale. Not only is it profitable, but you will have fun with neighborhood friends and meet new ones. The easiest way to organize a block sale is in person. Word of mouth will spread and soon everyone will want to participate. Those who don't sell, may shop!

Evite is a great free email tool you can use to invite your neighbors' involvement and for them to respond. Remember to provide the date, and start and end times. Provide your phone number and invite them to help with planning and making or placing signs.

Posting or leaving flyers will get the word out too.

Step 3: Time it right.

Timing is important. Saturday is the most popular day for garage sales. Set your hours between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm for maximum traffic. Remember early birds will show up well before your advertised start time. The date is equally as important. Choose a date when you expect folks to be in town. If there's already an Saturday event planned near your home, capitalize on that date.
Strategically placed signs will drive folks to your house.

Step 4: Spread the word.

Advertising is key to a successful day. I prefer listing my garage sales on Craigslist (see resources) to buying adds in the newspaper. Craigslist is free and a must-have for garage sale junkies. It's quick and easy to open a free account. If yours is a neighborhood or community sale, be sure to post that in the listing title. Adding a Google map of your address is also useful.

Step 5: Get set-up.

Allow yourself plenty of time for set-up. You don't want to be running into the house or unpacking boxes when buyers are arriving. You don't want to loose any potential sales!

Step 6. Work it.

Expect and welcome haggling on prices. Your buyers are looking for a bargain. They like when you shave off 25 cents or a dollar. Offer discounts for multiple purchases.

When it nears closing time, pull out all the stops and offer deep discounts. Remember, you'll be stuck with whatever doesn't sell! And always consider donating what's left to your favorite thrift shop or charitable organization.

Things You'll Need:

• 1 - 2 weeks to get ready for the big day.
• Colorful stick-on labels for pricing your items.Cardboard, permanent marker, and tape for your signs.
• Eye-catchers like balloons, banners, and flags.
• Shopping bags.
• Lots of change and dollar bills.
• Neighbor involvement to increase local traffic to your event.
• Access to Craigslist to advertising the big day.

How to Make Money Selling Online on eBay - Part 2

Welcome to part 2 in my series "How to Make Money Selling Online on eBay". My feedback score is 99.4% with 920+ positive comments from my Customers. I'm making money while having fun! In this article we'll look at your "eBAY FINDS"! In my last article I asked you to scout around and find a few small, light weight items hiding around the house that may be good eBay candidates. Now I'll help you get prepared to make money with these items online, on eBay! Remember, if you're a Craigslist junky, think eBay. Same idea, greater exposure, and bigger bucks!

Step 1: Selection.

The first item you put up for auction should be small and light weight. The reason I suggest your item be small and light weight is that you will be SHIPPING your item to your buyer. No use choosing something big and bulky to start with.

A smaller package offers you the ability to take advantage of USPS Flat Rate Priority boxes. Did you know that these boxes, and all sizes and shapes of Priority boxes are all free? The Flat Rate boxes are great because you can stuff them and it doesn't matter how much the contents weighs. What a deal! Even better, the post office will even ship these boxes to your home free! I hate dumpster diving for shipping boxes. I love USPS free boxes. And there's more! Did you know that the post office will even pick up your packages? That saves you valuable time and money. Based on what you found to sell, see if any of their free boxes will meet your shipping needs. Just Google and search for USPS.

Step 2: What's it worth to you?

You have to determine your items value. Is it a family heirloom? Is it an antique or collectible? Is it really yours to sell, or does it belong to someone else in the home? It is just a dust collector or space hog? These questions will help you place a value on the item. This is the item's "personal" price tag.

Step 3: What's it worth on eBay?

Next you will log onto eBay and search for your item or a similar item. Just type "eBay" in any search box. You don't need to register yet. I want you to just play around searching for a like item for now. Search in "all categories". Jot down or make a mental note of what your item is listed for. Next go to the advanced search (right next to the large search button) and check off "completed items". Jot down or make a mental note of what your item actually sold for.

Step 4: What price are you willing to let it sell for?

Somewhere is the middle of the current listed prices you found, and the completed listing prices you found, will be the amount you choose to list your item for. This is where the "personal" price tag come is. You must understand that if you list your item for $19.99, and it sells for $19.99 there's no turning back. You are committed to the buyer. So pricing carefully is important. You don't want to list your item so high that it will keep buyers from bidding. However without some selling experience under your belt, you don't want to go too low and risk a give-away. It's a balancing act.

I gave you lots to think about and another task. So while you're doing that, I'll take care of some business at home. Look me up for the next step you'll need to know to get starting selling online on eBay. I'll check in with you later!

Things you'll need:

• DESIRE to make extra MONEY at home, in your spare time!
  

How to Make Money Selling Online on eBay - Part 1

I've been selling on eBay since 1995. My eBay feedback score is 99.4% with 930+ positive comments from my Customers. I'm making money while having fun! In this article I'll plant the seed to get you thinking about making money online on eBay!

If you're a Craigslist junky, think eBay. Same idea, greater exposure. Yes, there are fees to sell on eBay, but the rewards can be huge!In this article I'm going to encourage you to look around the house, garage, and yard to see what items you're not using. I'm not about dumping everything just to make a few bucks! But if you haven't touched it in a six months, you probably don't need it. Donate it, give it away, throw it away, or sell it on eBay!

Step 1: Selection.

Look around for a few things you are willing part with! Go small to begin with. And go light weight because you will need to ship it when you sell it. Scout around for items laying around collecting dust or just taking up space. Check out your old jewelry, trinkets, purses, hats, dolls, figurines, CD's, DVD's, audio books, toys, or games. Clothing and accessories are big sellers. What hobbies have your family outgrown? Do you have collectibles that you are no longer into? Do you have two of something? The possibilities are endless. Look in the junk drawer. What's laying unused on the work bench? What's stuffed in that box on the top shelf? Check in the back of the cabinets for kitchen relics. Your cast-off may become someone else's treasure.

Step 2: Inspection.

Line up the items you're ready to part with. Now carefully inspect each item. Look for imperfections, dents, dings, cracks, or grazing. Are there rips, soil, or stains? Is your item faded or missing buttons? Does the item operate as designed? Is it broken? Does it have loose or missing parts? As a bonus, can you find the original box and instructions? Selling an imperfect item can damage your reputation as a seller on eBay. Your reputation is measured in the feedback you receive from your buyers. It is your rating and ranking. A solid feedback score will make buyers feel comfortable to spend their money with you. Now select carefully and narrow your items down to the first one or two items you will be putting up for auction on eBay.

While you're doing that, I'll take care of some business at home. Look me up for the next step you'll need to know to get starting selling online on eBay. I'll check in with you later!

Things you'll need:

• DESIRE to make extra MONEY at home, in your spare time!