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Pag* 12 Spring Horn* Living Some guidelines for a real money-making garage sale By Philip Seim "Your trash is someone else's treasure." Ever heard that old adage? Old, yes... but as true to­ day as the day it was coined. These days, with the economy for­ cing everyone to truly shop for bargains, why not make a little money from those "white elephants" cluttering up your basement or attic? Why not sell them? Whether you call it a rummage sale, a yard sale, a family sale, or a garage sale, applying these step- by-step guidelines can help make the most (spell that MO$T) from the collection of "treasures" gathering dust in your house. STEP ONE -- Plan Ahead Weeks before your sale, go through your house from base­ ment to attic and make a detailed list of everything you're willing to sell. Decide which ones you will let go as honest bargains, and which ones you are willing to part with for a good price. What should you sell? Scan the garage sale ads in the local newspapers and see what's listed. Visit sales near you and ask which items sold quickly and which didn't sell at all. While you're there, compare prices for similar items, with those you're thinking of asking. Unwanted Christmas gifts and items that are almost new or have never been used, have a big selling advantage. Keep it seasonal. Don't put a snow blower out in the spring, or a lawn mower out in the fall. Items that are always popular are baby clothes and furniture, tools, toys, books, large and small appliances, records, sports equip­ ment, and just about anything else that's useful. At least a week before your sale, make road signs. Make them BIG and visible--black paint on a white background is best. Avoid drawing with pencils or markers on cardboard, since your signs may have to stand up to wind and rain. Don't list sale items on signs, since people won't have time to read them while driving past. The best signs can be borrowed from a local real estate agent. These signs are excellent and many agents loan them out free. Call the real estate agents near you to learn if they offer this ser­ vice. While you're making road signs, make a big, attractive one that reads: "GARAGE SALE - HERE TODAY. . . Welcome!" STEP TWO -- Advertise Garage sale shoppers read the classifieds on the day, or the day before, they are planning to shop. You can cut costs by running an ad on the day before, or the day(s) of your sale. Make your ad simple, short and factual. List the type of sale, the major items offered, your ad­ dress, and the date(s) and times you'll be open. Don't list your phone number. On the day of the sale, you won't have time to answer calls from in­ quisitive shoppers. You want peo­ ple to come to your sale in person to see what you are selling. The costs aren't high, and advertising your garage sale is always worth the price. Paul Buller said it best at his sale: "We've been open for two hours this morning, and we've already sold $40 worth of stuff we were just going to throw away. I think that's work it." STEP THREE -- Prepare Your Merchandise for Display Before the Sale Label everything. Before you set up, every item should be label­ ed showing the asking price. Price in advance and avoid making snap judgements about how much something is worth to you. Take the time to consider exactly how much you are willing to accept for each item. Group similar items together and price them in lots. For exam­ ple, men's neckties, 25 cents each. Clothes should have labels attach­ ed to the collar or sleeve--never mark the clothing. Put a large, descriptive sign on large appliances and antiques. Give a short history of each item. Label furniture in a way that won't damage the finish (tape often removes some of the surface when pulled off). About pricing: Some experienced shoppers ex­ pect you to intentionally overprice major merchandise, knowing you will let yourself be talked down to a lower price. Use your own judge­ ment about valuable items. Pric­ ing too high may discourage shop­ pers from making an offer, and pricing too low will cost you pro­ fits. Alternatives to setting a price for expensive items are: 1) take sealed bids on the item, explaining to bidders that you will review the bids at the end of the sale and con­ tact the highest bidder; 2) hire an appraiser to tell you just how much your merchandise is worth. Appraisers often charge a fee, but you may consider it worth the cost to know exactly what is a fair price for a particular item. In most cases, however, the best way to price is to ask yourself what you would be willing to pay if you were buying something at a garage sale. Clean your merchandise to make it as attractive as possible. While garage sale shoppers don't expect things to be spotless, there should be no dirt or grime on items--it might discourage shop­ pers from picking them up. Clothing MUST be clean. Nobody SALE--Page 13 CRYSTAL LAKE PLAZA POOLS %N# STUFF SUMMER HOURS "STOP BY&SAVE" A Mon.-Fri. 10-9 STOP BY* SAVE 815/459-0500 Sat.-Sun. 10-5 VISIT OUR SPA DISPLAY • THE #1 SELLING POOL - 39 YEARS OLD • ALL SIZES AND SHAPES FOR YOUR NEEDS • WE INSTALL WHAT WE SELL! • HOT SPRING SPA • BAJA SPA • PORTABLE SPAS • INSULATED SPAS • CUSTOM SPAS * MOTO-MASSAGE SPAS •ALL SIZES AND SHAPES! any pool. DOUGHBOY POOLS | SPAS - SPAS- SPAS