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#1
15th April 2019, 03:24 PM
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give me your best Moving Sale advice
moving sale, rummage sale, garage sale - whatever you call it, I'm having one on Saturday. I have help coming, thank god, and a friend is coming over this week with blank stickers for pricing things.
currently I have the smallest room emptied and will be keeping stuff not for sale in there. I figure close the door and tape a sign on it (private? "keep out" seems unfriendly) how much change should I get? can I avoid coins by saying if we decide it's not worth a dollar, you can have it? I am bad at maximizing profit, my attitude is get rid of this stuff. wondering WHEN to post on facebook groups about it - I'm thinking of posting Wednesday and then again Friday. Craigs list too, I guess. I plan on putting up maybe 3 signs on nearby busier streets, probably Friday afternoon. one big one in the front Saturday morning. haven't gotten supplies for that yet. advice would be good. support is welcome, too.  by Friday I'll be 
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#2
15th April 2019, 03:56 PM
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Here's my advice:
- Sell the less than a buck stuff. Someone might buy 10 books for 25 cents each. Also, 40 quarters is $10 and you will be making a lot of small sales. If you just want to sell your over $20 stuff, put it in separate Craigslist ads. - Do you have any outside? It's good to have things where people can see them from the street. - A week before the sale, tell everyone you run into about it, with the time later than you expect to start, like, 10AM Saturday. Tell 'em again the day before. You might get a larger proportion of latecomers. - Consider putting an ad in the local paper and those freebie all-ad papers, but not if they cost more than $5 or $10 max. - Wednesday is fine for Facebook and flyers. Post flyers wherever flyers can be posted, including laundromats and phone poles. If you go to church or any weekly thing, put up a poster on your last visit before the sale. - Friday and Saturday AM posts are essential. Facebook, Craigslist, any other community site, like Nextdoor. List some of the most interesting stuff; records, rugs, unusual things. Include photos. Make your sale-day Craigslist ad different enough that Craigslist doesn't flag it as a duplicate. - Don't put your phone number in any ads or posts. - On Saturday early, put up signs with arrows on nearby streets and on the nearest major street. The signs can be messy as h*ck, as long as drivers can read YARD SALE and see a big arrow. - Put another sign with big arrow by your front door, if you are holding the sale inside. - If you have Freecycle in your area, consider putting up a Freecycle ad for whenever you plan to end the sale. If people come and take stuff, less for you to get rid of. - There will probably be an early group and a late group, with a lunchtime lull. The early group will be early as h*ck, before you said you would start. Stop whenever you think the late group is too thin. - Don't put price tags on anything. Be happy to sell for a low price, the price you would buy for. Don't haggle on a difference of a dollar or less. - During the lunchtime lull, put up a sign saying "Everything half off" on wherever people can see it best from outside the building. Don't change the prices though. - Don't let it look too much like you are inviting people to ransack your home. Put things out on surfaces. - Use your nicest stuff as lures. Put some where people can see it from the doorway, and some in each room. If someone shows an interest, tell them there is another bookcase/more Faberge eggs in the kitchen/bedroom/etc - Clothes are often the slowest movers. Put them somewhere easy to get to; attempt to pull people over with sale magnetism. Don't leave them in closets or the bedroom. - If you have Halloween costumes, show them off near the clothes. Gives people the idea of looking in the clothes for costumes. - Put stuff kids might like in a basket, box or low table, with a sigh saying "Everything in this basket/box/on this table, 5 cents" or such so kids can have fun picking there own stuff. This includes pretty feathers, single fake flowers, stuffed animals, tiny toys . . . anything. - Whether you are selling inside or outside, if you can keep stuff out overnight, consider making the sale Saturday and Sunday. New Craigslist and Facebook posts on Sunday. - For the room with the things you don't want to sell, consider putting a big piece of furniture across the door. People will go in there if they can. That's my 2 cents. Last edited by stormie; 15th April 2019 at 04:19 PM. |
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#3
15th April 2019, 04:02 PM
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geez that's a lot of info, thank you!
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#4
15th April 2019, 04:06 PM
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You have a lot of work ahead of you -- take lots of breaks and stay hydrated, or lit, whatever works.
 I agree with everything stormie said except for not putting prices on anything. It's a huge chore to individually price things, but a lot of people don't like to guess or haggle or risk insulting you or waste their time if you're too far apart on values. My option would be to group things and post a sign with prices for that group, i.e., jeans $1, hardcover books 4 for $1, tee shirts 25 cents, jackets $5, etc. etc. for dinnerware, linens, decor items. I wouldn't post anything until you're ready to go, because you'll be bombarded by early birds. If that means putting things back for a week because you're not ready, so be it. Good luck -- hope you hear lots of ka-ching! |
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#5
15th April 2019, 04:24 PM
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Good advice about the pricing. (Depends on where you live I think. You should know how people are in your area - the shy type or the type who love to make offers). Putting up general price signs give the hagglers a fun place to start - so if someone does want 5 T-shirts for a dollar rather than 25 cents each, say yes. It's amazing, but people Really Like getting that extra quarter off.
Changed my earlier post, to reflect what I think is an indoor sale? |
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#6
15th April 2019, 06:37 PM
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yes, inside and in the garage. we might put some stuff outside but mostly indoors.
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#9
15th April 2019, 08:51 PM
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If you can't find a way to lock that private bedroom, keep a close eye on the door. A sign won't stop real bargain hunters. There will be earlybirds no matter what you do, they totally will not give a crap about your schedule, and you can go right ahead and make them wait.
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#10
15th April 2019, 08:51 PM
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Send an envoy to the liquor store with the first $20 earned to buy bloody Mary fixin's. It makes dealing with cheap ass people and getting rid of your sentimental shit soooooo much easier.
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#11
16th April 2019, 12:34 AM
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Don't bother haggling too much. Better to get the stuff gone and hauled away by someone else. I have niggled too much with people and ended up having to cart a bunch of stuff to Goodwill.
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#12
16th April 2019, 05:38 AM
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Put prices on the stuff! If not individual items, then a sign on the table at least. No price tags usually means they want too much.
Take reasonable offers. If it adds up to $12.25 and they ask if you'll take ten for it, take ten! If they are wanting your Leica M3 for $100, laugh in their face! Be smart yet reasonable. Be neat. No one wants dig thru piles. When they mess it up for you, straighten up as soon as you can. Be prepared for sunrise shoppers, no matter what start time you specify. They WILL come... When it's all over, take down all those neighborhood signs you posted. Please! Signed, GarageSaleLover |
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#13
16th April 2019, 05:46 AM
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Also, do not expect anything even close to retail prices. People go to these sales for super bargains. If you have really, really nice stuff, hire an estate sale event planner.
When I go to an "Estate Sale" run by a professional group, I know prices will be higher. When Bob and Mary host their own "moving sale" I expect garage/yard sale pricing. Appliances and furniture need not be dirt cheap, but don't expect 50 cents on the dollar return. If you need more money for those, FB marketplace is good. |
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#14
16th April 2019, 05:54 AM
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A friend of mine had his parents die within 3 months of each other. Their home was in a solidly middle class area, but they had some nice stuff. He has made almost 20k from their nice stuff and specialty items from FB market.
Next up is a garage sale everything else. Antique furniture and special purpose tools are best sold outside of the garage sale world |
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#15
16th April 2019, 06:00 AM
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And please, don't take it personally when people show up early or give lowball offers. People are cheap, people are clueless, even rude. You only have to deal with them for a few hours.
When I last moved, I sold a lot of items on craigslist and then had a garage sale for stuff I was gonna trash or donate. In just over 5 hrs, people gave me over $300 for my trash. For my trash! 
Last edited by NoClueBoy; 16th April 2019 at 06:11 AM. |
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#16
16th April 2019, 06:07 AM
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Dont accept checks! Be wary of large bills. Sign up for Square or any similar service, they take a percentage, but it makes impulse purchases easier for the shoppers. I would rather pay a 4% fee than miss out on extra dollars in my account
Last edited by NoClueBoy; 16th April 2019 at 06:13 AM. |
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#18
16th April 2019, 06:42 AM
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I will be pricing stuff! I hate going to a sale and no prices, you don't know what they are thinking and it's much harder to make an offer, IMO.
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how much change do I need to get ahead of time? can I just not bother with coins? don't stop, NoClueBoy, it's all good info. |
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#20
16th April 2019, 08:02 AM
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Get quarters. Like they said upthread, little things add up. Price in increments of 25 cents for small junk. No need to be diming, man.
At my wife's and mine regular crafts and photo shows, I have 100 or so of 1s, 5s, and a roll of quarters for the kiddie items. Square has been my favorite thing, tho. Never miss a sale! If they don't have $125 cash on them, their debit card does. |
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#23
16th April 2019, 08:46 AM
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I don't have any great advice that has not already been offered, but I will throw in my "support"! I hope you are able to sell everything with no drama!
 GO JACKIE!! 
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#24
16th April 2019, 11:52 AM
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The only thing I can add to the great advice here is that the dollar store has bright posterboard, pens, and more price stickers for cheap.
Good luck! Please let us know how it goes! I hope you make a lot of $$. It always surprises me how much my crap is worth to other people. |
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#25
16th April 2019, 01:19 PM
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Quote:
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I would say, you are gonna need coffee and BREAKFAST. Eat something girl! And you are going to need lunch. When you are fiiiiinallly done, you're gonna want a  and a 
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#26
16th April 2019, 07:20 PM
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Quote:
Quote:
 I put on my couch on facebook marketplace today for $50 and not even a nibble.  I put how soft it was, great for naps, I'm missing it already. even though I'm sitting on it as we speak... |
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#29
21st April 2019, 06:05 PM
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I was wiped out yesterday, that's for sure.
but then I slept 8 hours - god, that felt good - and had the most fantastic day today. sold my bike from the facebook post and visited a friend in Reno for the last time. it was a wonderful visit but then we were all when I left. it was about 3 days before the sale I realized it was going to be more work that it was worth and I think that's actually true. but I finally got my act together and organized all that damn stuff and it was OK. the sale was pretty busy and a lot of people bought things, just very few of the big things went. People really enjoyed the office supplies! but, incredibly relieved it's over. now I just empty the house, ship some boxes on ahead, fill up my car and drive East.  no rush, though, I can take all week and even next weekend if I want to. but I don't! |
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#31
21st April 2019, 10:27 PM
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I'm glad it's over for you, Jackie! I was selfishly hoping you'd end up in northern Oregon, closer to me! But I'm glad you're going someplace you like and where you know people.
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#33
22nd April 2019, 03:25 AM
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I am considering trying to do some sight-seeing especially since there are so many beautiful places to see but looking at the website for Arches National Park it is very crowed, even this early in the year. It's so close to the freeway, I guess, which is why I looked it up. But I am also very eager to get the drive over with since I don't think road trips are very fun without company. in fact, I never miss my Mom more since we loved taking trips together. also, I have trouble relaxing when I have my car full of stuff and I have to choose how much to schlep into a hotel room or leave out in the parking lot for thieves to steal and I'm just nervous in general.  I think Colorado National Monument would be less crowded - might take a look at that. Quote:
I sure loved what I saw of Oregon and want to go back sometime. Quote:
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#34
22nd April 2019, 09:09 AM
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If you hit Arches during the week it's not bad at all--it's huge, so "crowded" is a very relative sort of thing. Moab is a cool little town to stay in, too. I mean, you're going that way anyhow so why not check out the sights? If it were me I'd take highway 50 in preference to the big freeways, you'll see a lot prettier scenery and have fewer semis up your ass.
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#35
22nd April 2019, 02:58 PM
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well, for one thing because my brain is fried and I can't think straight. only got 3 hours of sleep last night and at 5 someone is coming to pick up my furniture, is he taking the couch? - and I just don't have a good plan for the next few days. like I dunno should I go buy an air mattress or just say fuck it and get hotel room. I think he's taking my TV, for one thing.
seriously, I just want this move to be over. I do plan to take 50, it's the fastest way google says. ETA Quote:
I dunno, I might check it out, see how I feel when I get there. if I weren't having so much anxiety I might enjoy the road trip but it's probably just going to be something to live through.  maybe I'll get tons of sleep tonight and then I'll feel differently, that could happen.
Last edited by JackieLikesVariety; 22nd April 2019 at 03:08 PM. |
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#36
22nd April 2019, 03:06 PM
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I just realized all I have to do is tell him, don't take the couch and then I have somewhere to sleep for tonight and however long I'm here. duh! that is cheaper than getting a hotel room.
I just can't think when I don't get enough sleep!! |
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#38
22nd April 2019, 03:08 PM
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gotta guy coming over in an hour, after that I can sleep.
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#39
22nd April 2019, 04:34 PM
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currently there are 3 strangers in the house, hauling out my furniture. but not the couch!
still makes me nervous.
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#40
22nd April 2019, 04:35 PM
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Many years ago, I traveled regularly to Carson City as we had a joint venture with a company based in CC. (Venture is long over, but I'm still friends with some of the people there - good people. Place was on Antler Drive, easy name to remember.)
I used to drive out 50 on my free time to just to do it - it was called (I think) "The Loneliest Highway" as there just isn't much out there...beautiful country, but pretty vast...if that's the 50 you'll be traveling, drive carefully and keep us posted! |
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#42
22nd April 2019, 06:36 PM
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Hopefully, Jackie's getting some ZZZzzz's on her couch!
When DH moved here from Chicago, we were getting him moved out of the apartment, giving away stuff, figuring out what would go in the U-Haul trailer, what his kids would take, etc. It was so stressful and we didn't sleep for a couple of days. I know how you're feeling! We collapsed in a motel room the night before we left. I just wanted to get to Seattle and get this DONE. However, when we were finally on the road I really enjoyed it. We played tourist and stopped in Blue Earth, MN to see the Jolly Green Giant, then the Corn Palace, Wall Drug, and I can't remember what else. My long-winded point is that you may change your mind about the drive once you get going. So keep that option open! I was nervous about leaving the truck and U-Haul in motel parking lots, but we stayed in halfway-decent places (like Sleep Inn) and didn't have a single problem.It turned out to be the coolest car trip I've ever had. I also understand about your mom.  Mine is my co-pilot and I'm lucky enough to still have her with me. One day I won't.
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#43
23rd April 2019, 04:36 AM
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Thank you, Helena!
they couldn't fit everything in the two trucks they brought so are coming back this morning: I had one last night in my bed and slept long and hard, WHEW. now I feel I can handle the day, yesterday I was a wreck and drinking coffee was a mistake! lots to do today but I'm also going to make time for the hot springs pool. Quote:
it's sad that what I'm looking forward to on the trip is not the grandeur of the mountains, it's having TV again. it hasn't even been gone 12 hours and I miss my TV!
Last edited by JackieLikesVariety; 23rd April 2019 at 04:42 AM. |
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#44
29th June 2019, 05:30 AM
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We had a garage sale last year when we were prepping the house to sell.
We had signs out the night before that said it started at 9am. We had people show up about an hour early. I told them all "sorry guys, we aren't ready yet" and most people backed off - except this one guy. He kept wandering around as we were setting up and asking about things. I told him again "Dude, we are trying to get setup and be ready for 9am. I'm going to have to ask you to come back then." This was probably around 8:30. He got really pissed off and started shouting at me. "You know, with that attitude, I'm not going to buy any of your shit." It's early, the guy was being completely idiotic, and I just started laughing at him. "You think this is funny? It's not. This is not the way to treat customers." "Dude. This is a garage sale. I'm selling the shit I don't want and if it doesn't sell, I'm giving it away. I don't care." "You're an asshole" "Ok. Thanks for coming by." "If I leave, I won't be coming back to buy anything." "Ok Tiger. Have a nice day." "Fuck you." "Thank you, drive through." This back and forth continued for 5 minutes. He stood at the end of my driveway and bitched at me. The best part - he had his son with him who was probably around 10 years old. Nice parenting. Honestly, it was the best encounter of the entire weekend. I love when people lose their shit over nothing. Later that day some Mormon boys came by and I got them to help us pack up for the night. |
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#45
29th June 2019, 12:51 PM
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If a counterfeit bill fails the pen test these days, it'll probably be printed so badly you'd be able to tell by sight or touch, no pen needed. |
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#46
29th June 2019, 06:36 PM
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I came up with a new bit of advice after checking out a sale today. Actually, two.
1. No one cares about your back story. Give me the price and let's be done. It may have sentimental value to you, but I'm planning on taking it apart. Don't make me tell you that. 2. If all I smell is stale dog piss, I ain't buying shit. Literally. 1A: if you really paid $2400 for that chandelier "from the 20's", honey, they saw you coming! I spy with my little eye cheap plastic replacement parts from the 50's or 60's. No. $425 is not a bargain. 1B: who the hell runs around to garage sales with $500+ in cash? Dealers, that's who. And they ain't buying your smelly crap either. This is the second sale in a year I've gone to at a million dollar home with the worst smells imaginable. |
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#47
30th June 2019, 02:15 PM
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I kind of hate this thread has been resurrected - my sale was so stressful (and just the start of some serious long-term stress - I hate to be reminded of it.
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#48
30th June 2019, 06:25 PM
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Hey @hajario, @Rebo, @Pure, @Giraffe, @Fenris Would you please close this thread for Jackie? TIA. Couldn't hurt much to ask. |
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#50
30th June 2019, 06:52 PM
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Modding
For you, happy to close it. Quote:
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Linear Mode
