By Kimberly Blaker

Are your garage, basement, and closets overflowing from the heaps of stuff you’ve been saving “just in case?” Rummage sales are a great way to clear out, recycle, and make some extra cash. Follow these suggestions for a successful sale and a clutter-free home.

The Storefront A garage is usually the best place to hold a sale offering shelter and requiring little daily set up and tear down. If your garage is hard to access, hidden from view, or contains valuables that can’t be easily hidden, use a covered porch, patio, or your yard. Have plenty of tarps available to protect your goods from rain and for covering at the end of the day.

All in the Timing Plan your sale when temperatures are between 60-90 degrees outdoors. Typically, the best days to hold sales are Thursdays-Sundays, with Fridays and Saturdays bringing the most traffic. Mornings bring the most significant flow of shoppers, and the earlier you’re ready, the better. If you open by 7:30 or 8:00 a.m., rummagers will flock.

Displaying Your Wares Don’t heap your merchandise on tables or leave it in boxes to be ransacked. While some don’t mind digging through messy stacks, most people won’t bother.

Hang as much clothing as possible. Use a laundry pole or portable closet, or install two support brackets and a closet rod. You can also support a bar or board between two stepladders. If you only have a few clothing items, a clothesline will do.

Plenty of table space is also a must. Borrow folding tables, and if you run out, make a table by resting a sheet of plywood over sawhorses, or prop spare planks of wood between chairs. Keep all but big items off the floor for better visibility.

Neatly fold and stack clothing that can’t be hung on tables, and label stacks according to size. Organize good toys and complete sets where parents and grandparents will easily spot them. Set up a “guys” table with hand tools, gadgets, electronics, and home repair items. Then place small articles such as jewelry in divider containers or egg cartons, so they’re easy to view.

One exception to the disorderly rule is for small toys. Stick all these little goodies in boxes on the ground where young children can dig for treasures to take home. Label boxes according to the price per item or allow kids to choose one as a prize.

Finally, make sure batteries and electricity are available so you can show shoppers that items are in working condition.

Next-to-New Sells Appearance plays a big roll in the sale of used goods and how much they can bring. Wash and dry all clothing and linens, then fold or hang immediately to prevent wrinkles. Wash dust, dirt, and grime from toys, tools, and household items. Also, repair broken merchandise when feasible.

Priced to Go Don’t overprice, or you’ll end up packing up nearly as much as you started with. For big items, look online for average resale prices. But if you check eBay, keep in mind that eBay pricing often isn’t comparable to what people will pay at a garage sale. Some top-quality items in like-new condition can bring 25 to 35 percent of the replacement cost at rummage sales. Occasionally, tools, equipment, and other things in small supply can be priced higher and sell for 50 to 60 percent of replacement cost, depending on age and condition. Most used merchandise will bring 5 to 10 percent of replacement cost at best.

Advertising Newspaper classified ads or Craigslist, as well as the more popular online garage sale locator websites, usually bring the best results. The exception is if you live on a main street or a heavily traveled highway. In your ad, be sure to include your address and main cross streets, dates and time of your sale, and what you’ll be selling. List special items individually and share categories like “tools” or “toddler clothes.”

Also, post fliers on the grocery store or laundromat bulletin boards. If there are no regulations against doing so, posting signs on nearby corners is a must. Don’t forget to put a bright sign in front of your house, too. Balloons tied to your mailbox or a tree can also make your sale more visible.

Tips for Success The bigger the sale, the more traffic you’ll get. Go in with family, friends, and neighbors and hold one big sale rather than several small ones. Hold a street or subdivision-wide sale. This will draw people from surrounding areas.

Move big items such as furniture or appliances into the driveway to attract passersby.

Finally, have your items priced. Many people will walk away from a sale when things aren’t priced. They don’t want to make an offer that’s too low and risk offending you. They also don’t want the hassle of having to ask the price for every little thing they might consider buying. 

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer. She also owns an online store, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-of-print, scarce, signed, and first editions; fine bindings; ephemera and more at sagerarebooks.com.